Suzy, a former circus elephant rescued from a life of torture and captivity

The News Minute | February 9, 2015 | 05:05 pm IST Suzy is blind in both the eyes. Over the years, her health has also gone for a toss due to the neglect caused to her at the hands of her owners. She was forced to perform and was mostly kept in confinement, which meant little or no exercise. The mental trauma that she is suspected to have been subjected to seems to have left her with psychological scars. Formerly one of India’s 67 remaining circus elephants, Suzy, was recently rescued by Wildlife SOS, an NGO that works towards the protection of wildlife. (Suzy walking with the Wildlife SOS team)A team of experts from Wildlife SOS, which examined Suzi, found that her dental health has also been severely compromised, as indicated by the undigested food in the dung. Her age is likely to be more than what is written in her ownership certificate. It is also suspected that she was subjected to mental torture and continuous chaining and confinement.(Suzy with the rescue team)Suzy, whose  rescue is the first in a campaign to ensure all of India’s 67 remaining circus elephants are moved to rescue centres, is now on her way to the Elephant Care and Conservation Centre in Mathura where she will receive veterinary care and lifetime support. Rescued from Andhra Pradesh with the help of the state government, Suzi will now join Raju, the elephant who was rescued after fifty years of captivity, and eight other elephants at rescue centre in Mathura.(Suzy in a circus poster- both photos are of her; Image source: Wildlife SOS Facebook Page)Dr Vibha Raghuram, Wildlife SOS veterinarian, said, “Suzy is such a gentle elephant that it is hard to believe somebody could be cruel and abusive to her. She has lots of abscesses, injuries and chronic issues that need veterinary intervention. Her feet are also in very bad shape and she needs urgent foot care. I look forward to working with her and making her free from pain and fear at our rescue centre.”(Suzy steps out of the truck to stretch and eat on her way to Mathura; Image source: Wildlife SOS Facebook Page)Kartick Satyanarayan, Co-Founder of Wildlife SOS, said, “We would like to acknowledge the role played by Project Elephant, MOEF - Government of India, Chief Wildlife Warden, Andhra Pradesh Forest Department, Animal Welfare Board of India, PFA, WRRC and FIAPO in helping to secure Suzy’s freedom.”TweetFollow @thenewsminute