TREE Foundation and WRRC have pledged to press elephant owners and the Government to rescue and rehabilitate captive elephants in the greatest need. We are developing Elefriends 101 as a model elephant rescue centre for South India. Our dream is to make this facility not only a refuge, but also an educational and biodiversity centre; where students and the general public will have the opportunity
to observe and interact with the elephants in a stress-free natural habitat. The ultimate goal is to inspire other individuals and organisations to set up similar facilities to take in rescued elephants. Unlike cows, dogs, cats, horses, sheep and goats, elephants have never been domesticated. The instincts and needs of any elephant are those of a wild animal. Only through torture and abuse can this majestic creature be reduced to a condition where it obeys its keeper’s commands. This is the simple, heartbreaking truth behind the so-called “cultural tradition” of keeping elephants. To make matters worse, elephant owners throughout India habitually disregard the rules laid down by the Central Zoo Authority of India to govern the keeping of captive elephants. As compassionate and responsible human beings, we have a duty to undo some of the harm we have done to this iconic species.
