Vantara, a rescue centre for captive elephants and other wild animals in Jamnagar in Gujarat, is all set to welcome 20 elephants that were recently rescued from the exploitative logging industry in Arunachal Pradesh. 

The rescue operation was carried out with the approval of a committee constituted by the Tripura High Court and entrusted by the Supreme Court. 

The rescued animals will soon find their permanent home at Vantara, where they will live chain-free and will never be forced into labor.

“The rescued elephants include individuals like Laxmi, a 10-year-old captive-born sub-adult who struggles to bear weight on her hind legs due to deep, untreated wounds and suffers from a fresh, painful 1-inch diameter hole piercing her sensitive right ear pinna—both inflicted during the brutal taming process to establish human dominance,” a statement from the Vantara said. 

“Maya, a 2-year-old captive-born calf, was rescued alongside her mother, Rongmoti, who endured large harness-induced lesions on her chest and buttocks from prolonged logging work. Ramu, a bull elephant, was found heavily restrained with both his forelegs and hindlegs tightly tethered together to control his 4–6 month musth period, resulting in immense physical and psychological distress,” the statement added.

In addition to providing lifelong care for the elephants, the project will offer new livelihood opportunities for the owners, mahouts, and their families at Vantara. 

The mahouts and others involved will undergo intensive training in humane and scientifically backed methods of elephant management, ensuring a future of compassionate care for the elephants and empowering their caregivers with the knowledge and skills to support this approach.

The rescue centre said it has secured all required documentation under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, including obtaining a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the Gujarat Forest Department and a Transport Permit from the Arunachal Pradesh Forest Department. The elephants will be transported in specially designed elephant ambulances, with the calf Maya traveling alongside her mother.