Out of torment
Crippled and abused elephant Emma is rescued by charity
AN elderly elephant has been seized by animal lovers and driven 1,000 miles to escape a life of cruel neglect.
Severely malnourished Emma was force fed a diet of alcohol, fried food, tobacco and sweets and hired out to tourists. Years of abuse and being forced to stand on her delicate feet had left her with crippling bone disease. Sharp glass, metal and stone fragments were also embedded in her footpads. Conservationists were so outraged they dashed to rescue Emma on New Year’s Eve. She was taken in a special ambulance from Dhanbad in the east of India to a sanctuary in the north. Wildlife SOS said her abusers had given the 40- year- old little respite as they used her for “begging, weddings, tourist rides and any lucrative activity.” The charity added: “At night, she was tightly restrained, stopping her lying and resting. She was regularly force fed crude liquor to make her work despite the pain in her legs. “Alcohol is toxic for the animal. Such callousness can cause inebriation, which could mean the elephant running rampant.” Dr Ilayaraja, deputy director of veterinary services for Wildlife SOS added: “Years of neglect and abuse has taken a toll on her.” Charity founder Kartick Satyanaraya said: “We had to act quickly so Emma could get the medical care she desperately needs.” Emma’s previous owners face charges of neglect and violation of wildlife laws.
She was force fed liquor to make her work
WILDLIFE SOS CHARITY WHICH RESCUED EMMA