Sunder is Loving His New Home! (PHOTOS and VIDEO)

For those of you who are not familiar with Sunder the elephant, he is a (now free) elephant who was held in captivity for seven years. While held captive, Sunder endured painful beatings and was locked in a solitary cell in between his painful interactions with humans. While the world was introduced to Sunder due to his sad plight, it has been a true pleasure to see this happy elephant now thriving in Bannerghatta Biological Park. After seven years of fighting for Sunder’s freedom, India’s Supreme Court ruled to have him released into a sanctuary.

How can we forget the incredible victory that occurred when Sunder the elephant was freed from a life of pain and torture, transported to an elephant sanctuary where he could live out the happy days of his life.

Sunder is living proof that the hard work and dedication of Animal rights activists can pay off, and what better reward for all that hard work than to see Sunder now acclimated in his new home having a ball!

Sunder with his new friend Lakshmi

As Sunder adjusts to life with other elephants, and kind, compassionate humans, he is gradually being allowed to interact more and more with the other four-legged, trunked residents of the sanctuary.

PETA India

There are 13 other elephants residing at Bannerghatta Biological Park, and Sunder will soon leave all the memories of his former life behind and become part of the loving elephant herd to which he was always meant to belong.

Sunder is also learning to trust humans again. The caretakers at Bannerghatta are sure to keep Sunder happy with coconuts.

PETA India

Sunder goes for walks around the grounds of the sanctuary with his caretakers. Since Sunder had been subjected to such painful and frightening circumstances for such a long period of time, caretakers are working to understand his temperament. It is also very important the caretakers build a relationship of mutual trust with new elephants to ensure that the animal feels safe in their new environment. Sunder, however, is already showing positive signs of progress.

Sunder also has a massive leg wound, sustained as the result of being abused for years, caretakers are sure to watch his movements around the grounds to make certain the wound his movement is a bit restricted in the sanctuary, however once the wound is healed he will be able to roam freely.

PETA India

Sunder is on the mend and progressing towards a wonderful life with other elephants. Sunder’s caretakers believe that Sunder has not been able to enjoy the company of other elephants since he was ripped from his mother as a baby, but he is eager to make friends and can’t wait to finally join the entire herd.

Check out Sunder enjoying his new digs! Ah, how sweet freedom is!

Lead image source: PETA India