Raju is a large elephant in India that was help captive by different owners. He was put in chains, beaten, abused, and used to beg for money.
He had about 27 different owners over the years. It is believed he was poached or stolen from his mother when he was a baby. Poachers often trap elephants by setting traps only large enough for the baby elephants or kill the mother. Raju was held capitive for over 50 years. He had chains and spikes on his legs that kept him from escaping. A group called wildlife SOS rescued him at night in a daring, dangerous operation.
His rescue included wildlife experts, vets, police, and over 20 forestry commission officers. They worked together to remove him from the farm where he lived. Wildlife SOS is a nonprofit organization in India that saves animals. The group had to go to the farm and put the elephant on a large truck to get him to safety. The chains and spikes were removed a few days later from his legs.
When the owner tried to interfere with the rescue the team stood their ground and did not back down. He stepped off of the truck about 1 minute after midnight on July 4th.
The team say he cried tears of joy. The charity has started a campaign to raise money for Raju so that he can begin life in a new enclosure. Members of SOS say that Raju the elephant is even tempered and peaceful when treated well.