Vantara creates a chain-free sanctuary for 20 rescued logging elephants

Vantara, a rescue centre for captive elephants and other wild animals in Gujarat’s Jamnagar, is all set to welcome 20 elephants that were rescued from the logging industry in Arunachal Pradesh. These animals will now be able to live free of chains and never be pushed into labour.

Founded by philanthropist Anant Ambani, Vantara will be home to these rescued elephants – 10 males, eight females, one sub-adult and calf each. The rescue operation was carried out with the approval of a high-powered committee formed by the Tripura High Court and entrusted by the Supreme Court. It had the full consent of the owners of the animals.

Among the rescued elephants is Laxmi, a 10-year-old captive-born sub-adult that struggles to bear weight on her hind legs due to deep and untreated wounds. It also suffers from a fresh and painful one-inch diameter hole piercing its sensitive right ear pinna – both inflicted during the taming process to establish human dominance. Maya, a two-year-old captive-born calf, was rescued alongside its mother, Rongmoti, who endured large harness-induced lesions on its chest and buttocks from prolonged logging work.

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amu, a bull elephant, was found heavily restrained with both its forelegs and hind legs tightly tethered together to control its musth period – lasting four to six months – resulting in immense physical and psychological distress. Babulal, another bull elephant, suffered from a severely broken and bleeding tail, caused by a conflict with a wild bull elephant during foraging. Years of captivity had stripped it of natural instincts needed to defend itself.

New opportunities for owners, mahouts

In addition to providing lifelong care for the elephants, the project offers new livelihood opportunities for the owners, mahouts, and their families at Vantara. They will undergo intensive training in humane and scientifically backed methods of elephant management, ensuring a future of compassionate care for the animals and empowering their caregivers with the knowledge and skills to support this approach.

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The organisation has secured all required documentation under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, including obtaining a no-objection certificate 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 travelling alongside its mother.

A dedicated team of more than 200 experts, including elephant veterinarians, paravets, senior caretakers, and ambulance drivers from Vantara, will ensure the safe and compliant transportation of the animals, adhering to strict transportation guidelines and animal welfare standards.

What happens to elephants in the logging industry?

In the logging industry, elephants are forced to carry heavy logs and work for long hours. They endure physical abuse, malnutrition, arthritis, and lack of medical care.

Constantly chained, they are deprived of the freedom to roam and engage in natural behaviours. These harsh conditions also inflict severe psychological trauma, often evident in the form of stereotypic behaviours such as head bobbing, swaying, and weaving, leading to long-term welfare compromises.

Despite their intelligence and social nature, these elephants are treated as machines, stripped of their dignity and well-being. At Vantara, they will have the opportunity to rejuvenate and live as elephants should.

A research paper published in 2020 in Gajah, the biannual journal of the IUCN/SSC Asian Elephant Specialist Group, reveals that a significant number of privately owned elephants are bred in captivity in Arunachal Pradesh. These elephants are often managed in close proximity to forested areas, where captive cow elephants come into contact with wild bulls. However, private ownership of elephants is declining, as the demand for their use in forestry operations has diminished following the logging ban.

Tabang Jamoh, divisional forest officer in Namsai, said, “With an active breeding population of approximately 200 captive elephants in Arunachal Pradesh, DNA profiling is being conducted to closely monitor their health and welfare. The transfer of 20 elephants to the Radhe Krishna Temple Elephant Welfare Trust at Vantara, as directed by the Supreme Court-appointed committee, ensures a brighter future for these animals. This initiative enhances animal welfare while providing local communities with alternative livelihoods, striking a balance between conservation, community well-being, and forest protection."

Dr Sorang Tadap, veterinary officer at Itanagar Biological Park, said: “Captive elephants often suffer from severe health issues, including injuries, arthritis, and psychological trauma due to harsh labour, training, and prolonged chaining. Many calves sustain deep leg injuries during training, while adults face ongoing risks from conflicts with wild bulls. There is an urgent need for dedicated hospital facilities offering round-the-clock care and physiotherapy, which our state currently lacks. It is encouraging to see facilities like Vantara providing advanced medical treatment and lifelong care for rescued elephants, setting a vital benchmark for their welfare."

An elephant owner, Chow Thamasala Mein, highlighted the uniqueness of the initiative. “With wood logging banned, we no longer wish to use our elephants for such labour. We are pleased they will now live a life of care at Vantara. This initiative also provides stable jobs and a steady income for our families, securing a brighter future for our children," Mein said.