Mumbai: Vayu, a 53-year-old male tusker brought to Mathura in Uttar Pradesh from Northeast India, is showing gradual but significant signs of recovery in what is emerging as a success story of elephant rehabilitation.
About a year ago, Vayu, who was suffering from multiple chronic ailments, was transported over 2,000 km to the SOS Wildlife Elephant Hospital in Mathura.
He is currently housed at the Elephant Conservation and Care Center (ECCC), where his progress over the past year has highlighted the importance of sustained veterinary support and specialist geriatric care.
When Vayu first arrived, he was struggling with several chronic and debilitating health issues. Years of working in the logging industry, combined with a traumatic fall that fractured his left forelimb, had resulted in a permanent deformity. Improper healing led to ankylosis in the elbow joint, severely limiting mobility, while osteoarthritis and abnormal limb posture put excessive strain on his other legs. He also suffered from extremely thin foot pads, ingrown toenails, anemia and low calcium levels, making even basic movement painful and exhausting.
For the past year, Vayu has been on an intensive and adaptive treatment plan. His daily care routine includes targeted physiotherapy to improve joint flexibility, hydrotherapy sessions to reduce pressure on his limbs and meticulous foot care to treat worn pads and prevent infections. Regular trimming of ingrown toenails and treatment of foot lesions have been critical in stabilizing his mobility. A balanced diet has helped treat anemia and nutritional deficiencies, supported by regular blood monitoring.
A key aspect of his recovery has been managing the compensatory stress on his other limbs. Despite the severity and persistence of his injuries, Vayu has shown encouraging signs of improvement. His physical condition has stabilized, he moves with greater ease and is responding positively to care and human interaction.
“To celebrate his first anniversary with Wildlife SOS, the team organized a special fruit party for Vayu, featuring bananas, papayas, watermelons, pumpkins and cucumbers as a token of love,” a press release said.
Kartick Satyanarayan, co-founder and CEO, Wildlife SOS, said: “Vayu’s journey reminds us that this is just the beginning. Over the past year, our focus has been on restoring stability, comfort and dignity to his life. His progress underscores the importance of long-term, specialized care.”
Geeta Seshamani, co-founder and secretary of Wildlife SOS, said: “Elephants coming from prolonged neglect often require long-term care. Vayu’s recovery, both physical and emotional, has been gradual but deeply encouraging. We remain committed to ensuring he continues to thrive in a safe environment.”
Baiju Raj MV, Director of Conservation Projects, Wildlife SOS, said: “Vayu’s arrival marked an important milestone, especially as one of our earliest interventions in North East India. A year on, his moments lying relaxed in his mud bed or enjoying the hydrotherapy pool reflect not only his progress but also the importance of his preparation in complex work.”
