Raju the Elephant Freed After 50 Years of Cruel Captivity: A Story of Pain, Rescue, and Hope

For nearly five decades, Raju the elephant endured unspeakable torment. His ankles were constantly wrapped in cruel spiked chains that bit into his flesh with every step, serving as a brutal tool to control and enslave him.

The agony he suffered daily was unimaginable, but the moment those chains were finally removed marked the beginning of a miraculous transformation—one that moved even the hardest hearts.‎‎Much of Raju’s early life remains a mystery, but what is known is tragic. Believed to have been born in the wild, Raju was snatched from his family as a calf and sold into a lifetime of servitude. For years, he was used in India’s tourism industry, forced to walk scorching streets to beg for money, offer blessings in exchange for rupees, and endure neglect and cruelty from his handlers, known as mahouts.‎‎Raju’s condition was dire. His footpads were overgrown and infected, a result of countless miles walked on hot asphalt. He was severely malnourished and often so hungry that he resorted to eating plastic and paper. Wildlife SOS India, the animal charity that eventually rescued him, described him as being in “a pathetic state of hunger and exhaustion.”‎‎Perhaps most heartbreaking was that Raju had not suffered at the hands of one owner—or even five—but had been sold and traded between up to 27 different individuals over his lifetime. This constant change meant no stability, no compassion, and endless suffering.‎‎Finally, in 2014, a concerned citizen alerted authorities, and Wildlife SOS, working closely with India’s Uttar Pradesh Forest and Wildlife Department, prepared for a daring rescue. Knowing the owner would likely resist, the team executed the mission under the cover of night. On July 2nd, 2014, they arrived at Raju’s location. What they saw horrified them: a gaunt elephant, scarred and shackled, barely able to stand.‎‎As rescuers removed his chains, something extraordinary happened—tears rolled down Raju’s face. “He’d been in chains 24 hours a day,” Wildlife SOS’s Pooja Binepal said. “The team was astounded. It was incredibly emotional.” The mahouts had tried to block the rescue by tightening Raju’s chains and obstructing roads with their supporters, but the rescue team persisted. Using fruit and gentle coaxing, they finally guided Raju into their truck.‎‎After a grueling 350-mile journey, Raju arrived at Wildlife SOS’s Elephant Conservation and Care Center on July 4th. There, his wounds were treated, and he received proper food, care, and most importantly—compassion. For the first time in decades, Raju could walk freely without pain.‎‎However, his story took another twist. Raju’s previous owner, Mr. Shahid, filed a court case claiming ownership of the elephant. But because Shahid had kept Raju illegally, the court ruled in favor of Wildlife SOS, and Raju was officially declared free.‎‎Initially timid and unable to comprehend his newfound freedom, Raju gradually adjusted. It took weeks for him to realize he was no longer bound. But today, Raju lives peacefully among a new herd of rescued elephants, finally experiencing kindness and love after a life of hardship.‎‎”Until we stepped in, he’d never known what it was like to walk free of his shackles,” said Binepal. “But today, he knows what freedom is, and he will continue to learn what kindness feels like.”‎‎Raju’s journey from chains to compassion stands as a powerful reminder of the resilience of animals and the importance of fighting for their freedom.‎