Rescued Elephants Trade Chains for Cozy Jackets Thanks to Kind People (PHOTOS)

Wildlife SOS Conservation and Care Center is a non-profit organization in Northern India that is currently home to 20 rescued elephants who are either blind, lame or recovering from an injury. Among the organization’s many heartwarming rescues, you may remember the story of Rhea, an elephant who lived in chains for 53 years before Wildlife SOS saved her. While many of the sanctuary’s residents have come from horrific backgrounds, they are all able to find peace in the care of these amazing people.

Adding to the frequent baths, nutritious food, and medical care that they provide for the elephants, the Wildlife SOS team is now even giving the elephants in their care jackets! Yep, you read that right. In order to help the elephants brave the freezing temperatures of North India, Wildlife SOS has fashioned jumbo jackets that perfectly suit the rescued and handicapped elephants.

“It is important to keep our elephants protected from the bitter cold during this extreme winter, as they are weak and vulnerable having suffered so much abuse making them susceptible to ailments such as pneumonia. The cold also aggravates their arthritis which is a common issue that our rescued elephants have to deal with,” Kartick Satyanarayan, Co-Founder and CEO of Wildlife SOS, explained in a statement.

Not only are the elephants stylish in their new jackets, they are now snug and ready to tackle the cold weather! “The rescued elephants under rehabilitation at Wildlife SOS have been rescued from shocking circumstances. We aim to provide them with a safe habitat where they can live like elephants,” said Geeta Seshamani, Secretary and Co-Founder of Wildlife SOS.

The organization also runs an Elephant Rehabilitation Centre which currently houses three female elephants. Rescued from illegal captivity, wildlife trafficking, or exploitation for street begging and circuses, each of these elephants were subjected to extreme cruelty and decades of suffering.  This is heartbreaking to know considering the fact elephants are very empathetic and intelligent creatures. Studies have shown that elephants will comfort one another when they are distressed by offering caresses and chirps of sympathy to let their friend know everything will be okay.

Thankfully, Wildlife SOS is helping these individuals put their sad pasts behind them and embrace a new and happy life in their sanctuary. If you would like to help Wildlife SOS, you can donate via their website.

All image source: Wildlife SOS