Today, two-year-old Baadal walks freely in the grasslands. Thirteen-year-old Badhshah and his friends have a loving caretaker. Four-year-old Tommy walks on his four feet.
Want to know they are?
Well, these are the names of animals which were rescued from a circus in August 2015.
People of Ethical Treatment of Animals (PeTA) rescued 15 animals, including dogs, horses, goats and camels, from the Great Kamal Circus that was camping in Bijapur for a show last month.
Animal Rahat (a sister organisation of PeTA) had discovered that animals were being used for entertainment and that they were living in abysmal conditions.
Dogs were seen cramped in cages
Torned nasal septum appears to be due to history of injuries
Camel made to stand on a stool
Goat made to walk on a rope tied 7 feet above the ground
They reported to Animal Welfare Board of India(AWBI). After the AWBI reported the issue to the district collector of Bijapur, he had the matter investigated.
Now, life has changed.
Badshah enjoys his daily walks at animal rahat rehabilitation centre
Rescued animals move around at animal rahat rehab
During the investigation, PeTA found that the circus company did not have required permissions from AWBI to use animals for entertainment purposes.
“Not just animals, nobody wants to be forced to do something. Circus animals are made to do the stunts out of fear. They are starved for days until they learn the stunt. Sometimes even hit and kicked by the trainers,” said Ashish Sutar, who was a part of the investigation team.
The animals are locked inside the trucks for hours, sometimes even days, when the circus company is travelling, said Sutar.
After the 15 animals were handed over to PeTA, the circus company filed an affidavit to run an animal-free circus.
Watch video made by the animal welfare organisation