Millions of People are Holding Out Hope for this Collapsed Elephant

THINK

Feb 6

Moti, a 35-year-old bull elephant, was ‘on the verge of death’ when Wildlife SOS was called in to provide urgent veterinary treatment. Now his ongoing story has captured the hearts of people across the globe.

Millions of people around the world are rooting for the survival of a 35-year-old bull elephant in India who has collapsed, reportedly after decades of abuse in the tourism industry and a ‘severe’ lack of veterinary care.

Indian non-profit, Wildlife SOS, were called in to try and save the downed elephant - Moti - at an undisclosed location, where they found him in a critical condition. According to the organization, Moti is suffering from an untreated fracture of his front leg, a severe infection in his footpad and toenails, malnourishment, and multiple other health issues.

One of his footpads has ripped away from the base of his foot, leaving the raw tissue exposed and causing the elephant ‘excruciating pain’. This is likely what caused him to collapse, say Wildlife SOS.

“Foot problems tend to be the biggest problems we see with captive elephants,” stated Wildlife SOS. “They are forced to walk on hot tarmac roads, which leads to foreign objects like glass getting embedded in their feet. It also can create burns from the hot surfaces.”

For the last two weeks, Wildlife SOS has been posting social media updates on Moti’s condition, as well as the veterinarian treatment he has been receiving. His story has captured a remarkable amount of attention, with tens of thousands of people engaging with each post. One particular clip of the elephant drinking water through his trunk while laying on the ground has received over 27.5 million views.

Over the turbulent two weeks since Wildlife SOS were called out to help Moti, veterinarians have been administering treatments to reduce his inflammation, fight infections, treat his wounds and control his pain - but he is still not standing.

Numerous efforts have been made to try and get the elephant back on his feet, including the use of a crane, but he is still too weak to turn, even with assistance. As an elephant’s movement is critical to circulation and healing, his dormant state is of deep concern, according to the veterinarians.

“With pain management, soft blankets, and lots of treats, Moti is giving soft rumbles to the team. We are making him comfortable while caring for his injuries, and still hoping for the best,” said Wildlife SOS. “Moti is a fighter, and we won’t give up on him”.

The organization recently announced that Indian army engineers have been deployed to help the elephant, by building a structure that can support Moti long enough to keep him upright.

“We are most grateful to Shiv Kunal Verma, General C K Singh and the Chief of Army and Engineers who have so kindly deployed the Bengal Sappers to come to assist us with this last-ditch effort to help Moti elephant,” said co-founder and CEO of Wildlife SOS, Kartick Satyanarayan. “This is such a patriotic effort to help India’s heritage animal and an endangered species.”

Refuse to Ride

Elephants have the highest degree of protection under Indian law due to the Wildlife Protection Act 1972, which makes it illegal to capture, hunt, trade, or traffic the animals. Despite this, an estimated 3,500 captive elephants are used in the tourist entertainment industry. These elephants were likely separated from their mothers as calves and forced to undergo harsh training to force them to submit to their handlers.

Wildlife SOS’s campaign ‘Refuse to Ride’ is fighting against the industry by calling on the Indian government to “ensure the retirement of blind, lame, injured, elderly and handicapped elephants” and to “ban their use in the tourism and entertainment industry.”

The non-profit is willing to partner with the government to facilitate the retirement of old, blind, lame and injured elephants for proper treatment and care, a feat possible thanks to their Elephant Hospital and Care Centre in Mathura.

Before his collapse, Moti’s was reportedly used for street begging and elephant riding and his plight has alerted the world to the Refuse to Ride campaign, with nearly 40,000 people signing Wildlife SOS’s petition.

“As we work to save Moti, please tell all of your friends and family to Refuse to Ride elephants and sign our petition,” writes Wildlife SOS.

You can sign the petition here and learn more about how you can support their critical work to help Moti here. Follow Wildlife SOS on Instagram and Facebook for updates on his condition.

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