Rhea reunited with her sisters: Wildlife S.O.S./Facebook
Rhea, an Asian elephant who spent the first 53 years of her life in a circus, has been rescued and reunited with her adopted family at the Elephant Conservation and Care Center in India.
The striking elephant was taken from the wild as a calf and sold to the circus where she remained until her recent rescue.
Circus elephants endure physical and mental torture and are not provided even basic veterinary care. Because of a lifetime of confinement by chains, her swollen feet were left with deep painful cracks and overgrown cuticles. She walks with a slight limp, which the Center hopes to address and treat.
Rhea sharing fruit with her sister: Wildlife S.O.S./Facebook
Her two “sisters”, Mia and Sita, were also part of the circus and were rescued at the end of last year. Rhea initially had to stay behind because her owner was considering the option of offering her as a gift to a temple. Life at a temple, however, is equally as traumatic as time spent in the circus.
Rhea on the road to recovery: Wildlife S.O.S./Facebook
Just last week, Rhea was loaded into the Wildlife S.O.S. elephant ambulance and transported 1,700 miles to her new home. The elephants were delighted to reunite, vocalizing as they were brought back together.
These three are finally enjoying their freedom, but there are others that still need our help. Join the Wildlife S.O.S. team on Facebook to find out how they’re saving animals, and how you can help!
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