Mumbai: Wildlife SOS has launched a campaign to free 300 begging elephants in the country by 2030. The wildlife conservation organisation has also started an online petition asking people to report begging elephants.

Two years ago, Wildlife SOS received an emergency call to help a begging elephant ‘Moti’ that had tragically collapsed. Over the course of several weeks, a monumental effort was made to save the animal, including getting the Indian military involved to construct a support tower. However, Moti could not be saved, but the NGO decided to take concrete action to prevent more needless begging elephant deaths.

On the anniversary of Moti’s initial collapse, Wildlife SOS has launched a campaign to rescue all the begging elephants by 2030. The NGO said that estimates have claimed of around 300 elephants forced to walk on the streets of India for the purpose of making money without proper paperwork.

Malnourished, emaciated and provided little care, these elephants live in the shadows and their suffering is ignored by those who pay for their services. Usually captured in the wild as babies, these unfortunate animals are known as ‘begging’ elephants. Intelligent and social animals, it is common for these elephants to be blind, live solitary lives and have untreated injuries. They can be seen performing tricks, giving blessings or rides, and as props in ceremonies and festivals.

Kartick Satyanarayan, co-founder and CEO of Wildlife SOS, said, “Moti’s story was gut-wrenching, yet all too common. Keeping the plight of these begging elephants in mind, we decided to launch this ambitious campaign with a five-step approach in mind. This is to ensure that elephants like Moti do not have to suffer meaninglessly in poor captive conditions.”

The NGO has also urged common people to get involved by signing the an online petition, and by reporting a begging elephant to the organisation’s helpline. People can also drop a text or Whatsapp tips to the number, and add a voice message that says the same.

The organisation is focusing its programs to help begging elephant through rescuing begging elephants, provide medical care to elephants on the streets, prevent more elephants from ending up on the streets, spread awareness and teach modern skills to handlers and veterinarians to deliver quality care to elephants.

Baiju Raj M.V, director of conservation projects at Wildlife SOS, said, “Wildlife SOS has demonstrated leadership in helping elephants by being the first to start using humane elephant management techniques like protected contact for training, building a hospital specifically for elephants and designing an elephant ambulance. Launching this campaign is the next logical step for implementing our vision of ending the suffering of captive elephants.”

Wildlife SOS is known for building India’s first dedicated elephant hospital, as well as ending the centuries-old practice of dancing bears. Having already rescued more than 40 elephants, their expertise and initiative is now directed towards animals with the greatest need, India’s begging elephants.