Raju the elephant was held in captivity for over 50 years after he was poached in India. The animal was held in chains which were spiked and forced to survive off whatever tourists could give him to eat.
However, wildlife charity SOS heard of his plight and decided that they needed to help. In a daring midnight operation, they freed Raju who cried upon his release.
The elephant was then transported to a safe sanctuary so a team could look after him and bring him back to health.
Pooja Binepal, the charity’s UK spokesman commented: The team were astounded to see tears roll down his face during the rescue. It was so incredibly emotional for all of us. We knew in our hearts he realised he was being freed.
Elephants are not only majestic, but they are highly intelligent animals, who have been proven to have feelings of grief, so we can only imagine what torture half a century has been like for him.
Until we stepped in he’d never known what it is like to walk free of his shackles – it’s a truly pitiful case.”
The charity are now hoping to raise money to keep Raju at the enclosure and look after him there.
Video via the Mail Online.
