Two years after he was rescued, Raju the elephant is a happy jumbo who not only loves lounging in the pool of his new home in Mathura, but takes his bath toys along with him.

According to a press release issued on the second anniversary of Raju’s rescue, Wildlife SOS said he had gained over 1,000kg in weight.

Raju had spent nearly 50 years in captivity as a begging elephant in Uttar Pradesh. He had several injuries on his body, and has been abused and starved.

Raju's pictures before  and after his rescue

Senior Veterinary Officer with Wildlife SOS, Dr Yaduraj Khadpekar said in the release, that since his first week at the Elephant Conservation and Care Centre in Mathura, Raju loved the pool which kept him cool. Now, he even has a rubber tube, his favourite toy, which he takes along with him into the water.

Raju “loves his bananas and watermelons” and eats healthy. He consumes an average of 200kg of green fodder and 25 kilos of fresh fruit and vegetables every day. Besides this, he is prescribed vitamin and mineral supplements by veterinarians.

To know more about Raju read: Two years without tears