hi so like they said I work for a conservation nonprofit called buy life
conservation nonprofit called buy life
conservation nonprofit called buy life SOS and I work with the elephant
SOS and I work with the elephant
SOS and I work with the elephant campaign manager this is a slightly
campaign manager this is a slightly
campaign manager this is a slightly difficult job to describe but I can tell
difficult job to describe but I can tell
difficult job to describe but I can tell you that it involves a lot of dealing
you that it involves a lot of dealing
you that it involves a lot of dealing with the government a lot of paperwork
with the government a lot of paperwork
with the government a lot of paperwork and I get to meet some really cool
and I get to meet some really cool
and I get to meet some really cool elephants as of April last year it also
elephants as of April last year it also
elephants as of April last year it also involved 2,100 kilometer journey across
involved 2,100 kilometer journey across
involved 2,100 kilometer journey across six states over the course of five days
six states over the course of five days
six states over the course of five days in a big green truck with a fantastic
in a big green truck with a fantastic
in a big green truck with a fantastic theme and an even more fantastic
theme and an even more fantastic
theme and an even more fantastic elephant in the back this is her story
elephant in the back this is her story
elephant in the back this is her story and the story of that adventure but
and the story of that adventure but
and the story of that adventure but before I get started on the story I’m
before I get started on the story I’m
before I get started on the story I’m going to give you a little prologue
going to give you a little prologue
going to give you a little prologue about wildlife SOS wilife SOS was
about wildlife SOS wilife SOS was
about wildlife SOS wilife SOS was started in the year 1995 by two people
started in the year 1995 by two people
started in the year 1995 by two people Karthik and Geeta who are extremely
Karthik and Geeta who are extremely
Karthik and Geeta who are extremely different as individuals but had one
different as individuals but had one
different as individuals but had one common goal to conserve India’s natural
common goal to conserve India’s natural
common goal to conserve India’s natural heritage and the animal that they
heritage and the animal that they
heritage and the animal that they decided was going to be the mascot and
decided was going to be the mascot and
decided was going to be the mascot and their first project with this one this
their first project with this one this
their first project with this one this is a sloth bear I don’t know a lot of
is a sloth bear I don’t know a lot of
is a sloth bear I don’t know a lot of people who have seen a sloth bear and I
people who have seen a sloth bear and I
people who have seen a sloth bear and I don’t know a lot of people who even know
don’t know a lot of people who even know
don’t know a lot of people who even know what it is but for all of you sloth
what it is but for all of you sloth
what it is but for all of you sloth bears are actually the most commonly
bears are actually the most commonly
bears are actually the most commonly found bear in the country and unlike the
found bear in the country and unlike the
found bear in the country and unlike the Bears that we usually hear about they’re
Bears that we usually hear about they’re
Bears that we usually hear about they’re small they’re shy and they’re awkward a
small they’re shy and they’re awkward a
small they’re shy and they’re awkward a little like myself and for many many
little like myself and for many many
little like myself and for many many years sloth bears were poached from the
years sloth bears were poached from the
years sloth bears were poached from the wild as Cubs and sold into a performing
wild as Cubs and sold into a performing
wild as Cubs and sold into a performing tradition known as dancing bears that’s
tradition known as dancing bears that’s
tradition known as dancing bears that’s what a dancing bear looks like and the
what a dancing bear looks like and the
what a dancing bear looks like and the community that relied on these bears was
community that relied on these bears was
community that relied on these bears was known as the calendar community they’re
known as the calendar community they’re
known as the calendar community they’re a nomadic Muslim community that for 400
a nomadic Muslim community that for 400
a nomadic Muslim community that for 400 centuries had relied on these bears to
centuries had relied on these bears to
centuries had relied on these bears to own their livelihood
own their livelihood
own their livelihood and the fate of the Kalandar community
and the fate of the Kalandar community
and the fate of the Kalandar community was so intrinsically linked with the
was so intrinsically linked with the
was so intrinsically linked with the fate of the bears that the wildlife SOS
fate of the bears that the wildlife SOS
fate of the bears that the wildlife SOS team realized that in order to rescue
team realized that in order to rescue
team realized that in order to rescue the dancing bears of India they had to
the dancing bears of India they had to
the dancing bears of India they had to rescue the colonial community as well
rescue the colonial community as well
rescue the colonial community as well and hence we started providing seed
and hence we started providing seed
and hence we started providing seed funds and new jobs for the men
funds and new jobs for the men
funds and new jobs for the men empowering the women through skill
empowering the women through skill
empowering the women through skill training and educating over 1,000
training and educating over 1,000
training and educating over 1,000 500 kilometer children to ensure that
500 kilometer children to ensure that
500 kilometer children to ensure that they no longer had to rely on the abuse
they no longer had to rely on the abuse
they no longer had to rely on the abuse of an animal to earn a living and so the
of an animal to earn a living and so the
of an animal to earn a living and so the calendar community could live their
calendar community could live their
calendar community could live their lives with dignity and the Bears the
lives with dignity and the Bears the
lives with dignity and the Bears the Bears could just be bears again at any
Bears could just be bears again at any
Bears could just be bears again at any one of our rescue centers across India
one of our rescue centers across India
one of our rescue centers across India of which the Agra Bay rescue facility is
of which the Agra Bay rescue facility is
of which the Agra Bay rescue facility is in fact the largest by rescue facility
in fact the largest by rescue facility
in fact the largest by rescue facility in the world
in the world
in the world and so by 2009 while FSOs had rescued
and so by 2009 while FSOs had rescued
and so by 2009 while FSOs had rescued every single dancing bear
every single dancing bear
every single dancing bear off the streets of the country thereby
off the streets of the country thereby
off the streets of the country thereby ending a 400 year old abusive trade
ending a 400 year old abusive trade
ending a 400 year old abusive trade while rescuing the dancing bears of
while rescuing the dancing bears of
while rescuing the dancing bears of India the team noticed something else
India the team noticed something else
India the team noticed something else there was another wild animal on the
there was another wild animal on the
there was another wild animal on the streets of the country you’d see them
streets of the country you’d see them
streets of the country you’d see them you know in temples you’d see them in
you know in temples you’d see them in
you know in temples you’d see them in processions you’d see them begging on
processions you’d see them begging on
processions you’d see them begging on the streets but you’d sort of gotten
the streets but you’d sort of gotten
the streets but you’d sort of gotten immune to the fact that although they
immune to the fact that although they
immune to the fact that although they belong in the wild they seem to be out
belong in the wild they seem to be out
belong in the wild they seem to be out there in captivity we talk mad elephants
there in captivity we talk mad elephants
there in captivity we talk mad elephants see we’re all taught as children that
see we’re all taught as children that
see we’re all taught as children that elephants belong in the wild but there’s
elephants belong in the wild but there’s
elephants belong in the wild but there’s some sort of willful ignorance when we
some sort of willful ignorance when we
some sort of willful ignorance when we see them wandering around on our roads
see them wandering around on our roads
see them wandering around on our roads or in circuses and this willful
or in circuses and this willful
or in circuses and this willful ignorance seems to have spread on to a
ignorance seems to have spread on to a
ignorance seems to have spread on to a legal system as well which is why when
legal system as well which is why when
legal system as well which is why when our country made its laws and acts to
our country made its laws and acts to
our country made its laws and acts to protect wildlife some of by the way the
protect wildlife some of by the way the
protect wildlife some of by the way the most progressive wildlife protection
most progressive wildlife protection
most progressive wildlife protection laws in the world we forgot that
laws in the world we forgot that
laws in the world we forgot that elephants were wild animals too because
elephants were wild animals too because
elephants were wild animals too because the same laws that I used to protect
the same laws that I used to protect
the same laws that I used to protect lions and tigers and bears and frogs
lions and tigers and bears and frogs
lions and tigers and bears and frogs from private ownership from performing
from private ownership from performing
from private ownership from performing somehow didn’t extend to elephants which
somehow didn’t extend to elephants which
somehow didn’t extend to elephants which is why elephants got left behind and
is why elephants got left behind and
is why elephants got left behind and while I first initiated its elephant
while I first initiated its elephant
while I first initiated its elephant rescue program to rescue India’s captive
rescue program to rescue India’s captive
rescue program to rescue India’s captive elephants from their lives of abuse as
elephants from their lives of abuse as
elephants from their lives of abuse as well and we started the elephant
well and we started the elephant
well and we started the elephant conservation and Care Centre in Mathura
conservation and Care Centre in Mathura
conservation and Care Centre in Mathura where we rescue elephants like boola
and this is a story of one of those
and this is a story of one of those elephants it starts in Sandoval in
elephants it starts in Sandoval in
elephants it starts in Sandoval in Tamilnadu
Tamilnadu
Tamilnadu 2,100 kilometers from our rescue center
2,100 kilometers from our rescue center
2,100 kilometers from our rescue center it’s the story of a 53 year old circus
it’s the story of a 53 year old circus
it’s the story of a 53 year old circus elephant named as poetic justice would
elephant named as poetic justice would
elephant named as poetic justice would have it RIA and this is the first time I
have it RIA and this is the first time I
have it RIA and this is the first time I saw her she stand-in standing in exactly
saw her she stand-in standing in exactly
saw her she stand-in standing in exactly the same spot that she’s been standing
the same spot that she’s been standing
the same spot that she’s been standing in since the circus had owned her
in since the circus had owned her
in since the circus had owned her abandoned her following repeated
abandoned her following repeated
abandoned her following repeated attempts to sell her to a temple after
attempts to sell her to a temple after
attempts to sell her to a temple after their license to use her as a performing
their license to use her as a performing
their license to use her as a performing elephant was canceled our story begins
elephant was canceled our story begins
elephant was canceled our story begins here but her story began 53 years ago
here but her story began 53 years ago
here but her story began 53 years ago when she was just a cough like most of
when she was just a cough like most of
when she was just a cough like most of India’s captive elephants she would have
India’s captive elephants she would have
India’s captive elephants she would have been poached from the wild as the calf
been poached from the wild as the calf
been poached from the wild as the calf snatched from her family and her hood
snatched from her family and her hood
snatched from her family and her hood and then sold into a lifetime of slavery
and then sold into a lifetime of slavery
and then sold into a lifetime of slavery I say slavery because the indoctrination
I say slavery because the indoctrination
I say slavery because the indoctrination process of a captive elephant in India
process of a captive elephant in India
process of a captive elephant in India or anywhere in the world is rife with
or anywhere in the world is rife with
or anywhere in the world is rife with cruelty and abuse in particular the
cruelty and abuse in particular the
cruelty and abuse in particular the indoctrination and training processes of
indoctrination and training processes of
indoctrination and training processes of circus elephants involve what is called
circus elephants involve what is called
circus elephants involve what is called negative reinforcement beatings and
negative reinforcement beatings and
negative reinforcement beatings and starvation for what so that they’ll
starvation for what so that they’ll
starvation for what so that they’ll perform Indian tricks for a circus
perform Indian tricks for a circus
perform Indian tricks for a circus audience that is in fact wholly ignorant
audience that is in fact wholly ignorant
audience that is in fact wholly ignorant to their plight tricks like hitting a
to their plight tricks like hitting a
to their plight tricks like hitting a ball with a bat or sitting on a stool
keeping all of this in mind we expected
keeping all of this in mind we expected some hostility or at least a little
some hostility or at least a little
some hostility or at least a little mistrust from RIA which is why we were
mistrust from RIA which is why we were
mistrust from RIA which is why we were pleasantly surprised when her first
pleasantly surprised when her first
pleasantly surprised when her first reaction to us was to reach out her
reaction to us was to reach out her
reaction to us was to reach out her trunk as if making polite acquaintances
trunk as if making polite acquaintances
trunk as if making polite acquaintances of course it helped that we’d Garrett
of course it helped that we’d Garrett
of course it helped that we’d Garrett bananas as a bribe so and while I first
bananas as a bribe so and while I first
bananas as a bribe so and while I first was veterinary and got to work checking
was veterinary and got to work checking
was veterinary and got to work checking Riya taking a look at every single scar
Riya taking a look at every single scar
Riya taking a look at every single scar on her body and in particular her feet
on her body and in particular her feet
on her body and in particular her feet which by the way if you’ve ever looked
which by the way if you’ve ever looked
which by the way if you’ve ever looked at the feet of a circus elephant or any
at the feet of a circus elephant or any
at the feet of a circus elephant or any elephant in captivity you’ll notice are
elephant in captivity you’ll notice are
elephant in captivity you’ll notice are always in really bad condition this is
always in really bad condition this is
always in really bad condition this is from yours of standing in very unhygenic
from yours of standing in very unhygenic
from yours of standing in very unhygenic conditions as well as on flooring that
conditions as well as on flooring that
conditions as well as on flooring that is
is
is clearly inappropriate for their feet so
clearly inappropriate for their feet so
clearly inappropriate for their feet so the wildlife SOS veterinarian touches a
the wildlife SOS veterinarian touches a
the wildlife SOS veterinarian touches a particularly a particularly sore spot on
particularly a particularly sore spot on
particularly a particularly sore spot on her foot and abscess between her
her foot and abscess between her
her foot and abscess between her toenails and she winces and lifts him up
toenails and she winces and lifts him up
toenails and she winces and lifts him up with her trunk it’s amazing if you think
with her trunk it’s amazing if you think
with her trunk it’s amazing if you think about it see this is an animal with
about it see this is an animal with
about it see this is an animal with 40,000 muscles running through her trunk
40,000 muscles running through her trunk
40,000 muscles running through her trunk she is casually picking watermelons out
she is casually picking watermelons out
she is casually picking watermelons out of my hand and shattering them in her
of my hand and shattering them in her
of my hand and shattering them in her mouth sending juice flying everywhere
mouth sending juice flying everywhere
mouth sending juice flying everywhere she could crush a car in a minute let
she could crush a car in a minute let
she could crush a car in a minute let alone a less than average-sized human
alone a less than average-sized human
alone a less than average-sized human being but she is so gentle with us it’s
being but she is so gentle with us it’s
being but she is so gentle with us it’s amazing but it’s also sad because years
amazing but it’s also sad because years
amazing but it’s also sad because years of experience have taught her that
of experience have taught her that
of experience have taught her that humans are a species not to be trusted
humans are a species not to be trusted
humans are a species not to be trusted there are species to be feared you can
there are species to be feared you can
there are species to be feared you can see the bullhook that has been used to
see the bullhook that has been used to
see the bullhook that has been used to train her and it’s casually hanging on a
train her and it’s casually hanging on a
train her and it’s casually hanging on a fence and it pains me to think of the
fence and it pains me to think of the
fence and it pains me to think of the number of times it’s been used on her
number of times it’s been used on her
number of times it’s been used on her and how on to happier things this is the
and how on to happier things this is the
and how on to happier things this is the wildlife SOS elephant ambulance
wildlife SOS elephant ambulance
wildlife SOS elephant ambulance emblazoned on its side is the elephant
emblazoned on its side is the elephant
emblazoned on its side is the elephant that inspired its creation this is
that inspired its creation this is
that inspired its creation this is Lakshmi and we call her a square
Lakshmi and we call her a square
Lakshmi and we call her a square elephant she’s morbidly obese after
elephant she’s morbidly obese after
elephant she’s morbidly obese after years of begging on the streets of
years of begging on the streets of
years of begging on the streets of Mumbai and being fed more than 200 for a
Mumbai and being fed more than 200 for a
Mumbai and being fed more than 200 for a pound every day she was so beast when we
pound every day she was so beast when we
pound every day she was so beast when we rescued her that she could no longer
rescued her that she could no longer
rescued her that she could no longer stand that we had to clean lift her onto
stand that we had to clean lift her onto
stand that we had to clean lift her onto the truck because we didn’t have a ramp
the truck because we didn’t have a ramp
the truck because we didn’t have a ramp for her to walk up in fact for the
for her to walk up in fact for the
for her to walk up in fact for the entire journey
entire journey
entire journey Lakshmi tried to use her trunk to drive
Lakshmi tried to use her trunk to drive
Lakshmi tried to use her trunk to drive the car herself because she obviously
the car herself because she obviously
the car herself because she obviously thought she could do a better job than
thought she could do a better job than
thought she could do a better job than the truck driver Lakshmi is rescue
the truck driver Lakshmi is rescue
the truck driver Lakshmi is rescue inspired us to create what we like to
inspired us to create what we like to
inspired us to create what we like to think of as the ultimate elephant rescue
think of as the ultimate elephant rescue
think of as the ultimate elephant rescue vehicle this is why life s versus
vehicle this is why life s versus
vehicle this is why life s versus elephant ambulance and it’s the first
elephant ambulance and it’s the first
elephant ambulance and it’s the first and only one of its kind in the country
and only one of its kind in the country
and only one of its kind in the country it’s fully equipped with everything from
it’s fully equipped with everything from
it’s fully equipped with everything from from a hydraulic ramp to water pumps and
from a hydraulic ramp to water pumps and
from a hydraulic ramp to water pumps and shower heads for the elephant as well as
shower heads for the elephant as well as
shower heads for the elephant as well as the keepers cabin that allows direct
the keepers cabin that allows direct
the keepers cabin that allows direct access to the animal in a way that is
access to the animal in a way that is
access to the animal in a way that is safe and comfortable for both the animal
safe and comfortable for both the animal
safe and comfortable for both the animal as
as
as well as the keepers it also has ports on
well as the keepers it also has ports on
well as the keepers it also has ports on the sides that allow for drainage and
the sides that allow for drainage and
the sides that allow for drainage and putting in fodder and so obviously this
putting in fodder and so obviously this
putting in fodder and so obviously this was a natural choice of vapor for the
was a natural choice of vapor for the
was a natural choice of vapor for the journey we were about to undertake which
journey we were about to undertake which
journey we were about to undertake which is how on 15th of April 2016 we found
is how on 15th of April 2016 we found
is how on 15th of April 2016 we found ourselves departing from santa bustle in
ourselves departing from santa bustle in
ourselves departing from santa bustle in tamilnadu with ria loaded up on the back
tamilnadu with ria loaded up on the back
tamilnadu with ria loaded up on the back of the ambulance also on board was a
of the ambulance also on board was a
of the ambulance also on board was a team of one veterinarian two keepers
team of one veterinarian two keepers
team of one veterinarian two keepers three drivers and myself also on board
three drivers and myself also on board
three drivers and myself also on board was this man his name is Amira Ali and
was this man his name is Amira Ali and
was this man his name is Amira Ali and he had been real keeper for the entirety
he had been real keeper for the entirety
he had been real keeper for the entirety of her life it might seem
of her life it might seem
of her life it might seem counterintuitive to say that we take
counterintuitive to say that we take
counterintuitive to say that we take along two very people that have abused
along two very people that have abused
along two very people that have abused these elephants for their entire lives
these elephants for their entire lives
these elephants for their entire lives but what we learnt with the calendar
but what we learnt with the calendar
but what we learnt with the calendar program when we rescued the dancing
program when we rescued the dancing
program when we rescued the dancing bears was that you can’t rescue the
bears was that you can’t rescue the
bears was that you can’t rescue the animals if you don’t rescue the people
animals if you don’t rescue the people
animals if you don’t rescue the people and so we decided that just like Rio is
and so we decided that just like Rio is
and so we decided that just like Rio is now part of the family so was a morale
now part of the family so was a morale
now part of the family so was a morale Ally and he was coming along for the
Ally and he was coming along for the
Ally and he was coming along for the journey easier said than done because
journey easier said than done because
journey easier said than done because amirul Ali is deaf as a doorknob and so
amirul Ali is deaf as a doorknob and so
amirul Ali is deaf as a doorknob and so everything we said to him had to be
everything we said to him had to be
everything we said to him had to be shouted at the same rate decibel with
shouted at the same rate decibel with
shouted at the same rate decibel with which he said gave the simplest
which he said gave the simplest
which he said gave the simplest instructions to his elephant but he was
instructions to his elephant but he was
instructions to his elephant but he was coming along for the journey our first
coming along for the journey our first
coming along for the journey our first pit stop comes 1,700 kilometers from the
pit stop comes 1,700 kilometers from the
pit stop comes 1,700 kilometers from the rescue center in mathura in andhra
rescue center in mathura in andhra
rescue center in mathura in andhra pradesh where a spot of unprecedented
pradesh where a spot of unprecedented
pradesh where a spot of unprecedented car trouble or ambulance trouble as the
car trouble or ambulance trouble as the
car trouble or ambulance trouble as the case may be forces us to stop on a
case may be forces us to stop on a
case may be forces us to stop on a highway with an elephant loaded in the
highway with an elephant loaded in the
highway with an elephant loaded in the back of a baker and so we find ourselves
back of a baker and so we find ourselves
back of a baker and so we find ourselves you know stranded on the highway but
you know stranded on the highway but
you know stranded on the highway but we’re lucky because our drivers and my
we’re lucky because our drivers and my
we’re lucky because our drivers and my team are as resourceful as they are
team are as resourceful as they are
team are as resourceful as they are efficient and we find ourselves using
efficient and we find ourselves using
efficient and we find ourselves using the anchors that the bull hook has a
the anchors that the bull hook has a
the anchors that the bull hook has a lever this is the last time the bull
lever this is the last time the bull
lever this is the last time the bull hook will ever be used and it’s finally
hook will ever be used and it’s finally
hook will ever be used and it’s finally being used to help an elephant rather
being used to help an elephant rather
being used to help an elephant rather than to hurt Oh
than to hurt Oh
than to hurt Oh our next stop comes 1070 kilometres from
our next stop comes 1070 kilometres from
our next stop comes 1070 kilometres from the elephant conservation and Care
the elephant conservation and Care
the elephant conservation and Care Centre
Centre
Centre when we stopped to load up fodder for
when we stopped to load up fodder for
when we stopped to load up fodder for our elephant on the journey of course
our elephant on the journey of course
our elephant on the journey of course this gets a lot of attention from local
this gets a lot of attention from local
this gets a lot of attention from local cattle as well as local people and we
cattle as well as local people and we
cattle as well as local people and we use the opportunity to talk to people
use the opportunity to talk to people
use the opportunity to talk to people about why elephants are important why we
about why elephants are important why we
about why elephants are important why we do what we do and why every time they
do what we do and why every time they
do what we do and why every time they pay to you know watch an elephant in a
pay to you know watch an elephant in a
pay to you know watch an elephant in a circus or ride an elephant they are
circus or ride an elephant they are
circus or ride an elephant they are contributing to an industry that abuses
contributing to an industry that abuses
contributing to an industry that abuses and exploits these animals this is one
and exploits these animals this is one
and exploits these animals this is one of the Keystone’s of what wildlife SOS
of the Keystone’s of what wildlife SOS
of the Keystone’s of what wildlife SOS does because awareness is awareness is
does because awareness is awareness is
does because awareness is awareness is what brings about change and every state
what brings about change and every state
what brings about change and every state that while Ephesus works in also runs
that while Ephesus works in also runs
that while Ephesus works in also runs active programs for awareness in for
active programs for awareness in for
active programs for awareness in for local communities for affected people
local communities for affected people
local communities for affected people for law enforcement and the government
for law enforcement and the government
for law enforcement and the government as well as for the children that will
as well as for the children that will
as well as for the children that will one day make the decisions that affect
one day make the decisions that affect
one day make the decisions that affect the lives of the animals we are now
the lives of the animals we are now
the lives of the animals we are now trying to save a next stop comes in
trying to save a next stop comes in
trying to save a next stop comes in Nagpur where we stopped to buy fruit for
Nagpur where we stopped to buy fruit for
Nagpur where we stopped to buy fruit for our elephant of course when you give
our elephant of course when you give
our elephant of course when you give them figures like I want 20 watermelons
them figures like I want 20 watermelons
them figures like I want 20 watermelons 30 papaya and all the mangos in your
30 papaya and all the mangos in your
30 papaya and all the mangos in your shop it’s bound to get you some
shop it’s bound to get you some
shop it’s bound to get you some curiosity the heartwarming part is when
curiosity the heartwarming part is when
curiosity the heartwarming part is when you tell them why we’re rescuing an
you tell them why we’re rescuing an
you tell them why we’re rescuing an elephant generosity seems to come
elephant generosity seems to come
elephant generosity seems to come equally fast and so we find ourselves
equally fast and so we find ourselves
equally fast and so we find ourselves overloaded with fruit for the journey
overloaded with fruit for the journey
overloaded with fruit for the journey and every fruit that Rhea eats seems
and every fruit that Rhea eats seems
and every fruit that Rhea eats seems like a small token of apology on behalf
like a small token of apology on behalf
like a small token of apology on behalf of the members of our species that have
of the members of our species that have
of the members of our species that have hurt her
hurt her
hurt her our next stop comes in Madhya Pradesh
our next stop comes in Madhya Pradesh
our next stop comes in Madhya Pradesh and generosity seems to have overflowed
and generosity seems to have overflowed
and generosity seems to have overflowed into the next state as well and a rather
into the next state as well and a rather
into the next state as well and a rather sweet Taba owner offers us the chance to
sweet Taba owner offers us the chance to
sweet Taba owner offers us the chance to step out of the truck give real chance
step out of the truck give real chance
step out of the truck give real chance to stretch her legs and I get a good
to stretch her legs and I get a good
to stretch her legs and I get a good hosing down but Ria’s seems scared of
hosing down but Ria’s seems scared of
hosing down but Ria’s seems scared of the amount of space around her we
the amount of space around her we
the amount of space around her we realized she’s probably never felt soft
realized she’s probably never felt soft
realized she’s probably never felt soft mud under her feet she’s never seen so
mud under her feet she’s never seen so
mud under her feet she’s never seen so much space or had the chance to roam
much space or had the chance to roam
much space or had the chance to roam around in it unrestricted by chains and
around in it unrestricted by chains and
around in it unrestricted by chains and so she picks a single tree at the center
so she picks a single tree at the center
so she picks a single tree at the center of the field and decides she’s not going
of the field and decides she’s not going
of the field and decides she’s not going to venture any further we’re alright
to venture any further we’re alright
to venture any further we’re alright with this so as she picks a snack of the
with this so as she picks a snack of the
with this so as she picks a snack of the tree
tree
tree so do we then the most amazing thing
so do we then the most amazing thing
so do we then the most amazing thing happens she goes to sleep it’s
happens she goes to sleep it’s
happens she goes to sleep it’s impossible to describe but I’m going to
impossible to describe but I’m going to
impossible to describe but I’m going to try an elephant sleeping is the most
try an elephant sleeping is the most
try an elephant sleeping is the most beautiful thing you could ever imagine
beautiful thing you could ever imagine
beautiful thing you could ever imagine it’s like this giant mountain of an
it’s like this giant mountain of an
it’s like this giant mountain of an animal that collapses to the ground and
animal that collapses to the ground and
animal that collapses to the ground and goes on humming like a river and it
goes on humming like a river and it
goes on humming like a river and it exudes the most powerful and most serene
exudes the most powerful and most serene
exudes the most powerful and most serene sense of calm and this sense of calm
sense of calm and this sense of calm
sense of calm and this sense of calm ultimately pervades the entire team
ultimately pervades the entire team
ultimately pervades the entire team which then falls asleep right near my
which then falls asleep right near my
which then falls asleep right near my snoozing elephant to me this is the most
snoozing elephant to me this is the most
snoozing elephant to me this is the most perfect most beautiful moment on the
perfect most beautiful moment on the
perfect most beautiful moment on the rescue it’s just this big bubble of
rescue it’s just this big bubble of
rescue it’s just this big bubble of trust this rescue team that has been
trust this rescue team that has been
trust this rescue team that has been this is just exhausted after hours on
this is just exhausted after hours on
this is just exhausted after hours on the road after days on the road and this
the road after days on the road and this
the road after days on the road and this elephant exhausted after god only knows
elephant exhausted after god only knows
elephant exhausted after god only knows how many years on her feet and they’ve
how many years on her feet and they’ve
how many years on her feet and they’ve fallen asleep together under the shade
fallen asleep together under the shade
fallen asleep together under the shade of a giant people tree if this isn’t
of a giant people tree if this isn’t
of a giant people tree if this isn’t nirvana I don’t know what is of course I
nirvana I don’t know what is of course I
nirvana I don’t know what is of course I have to play devil’s advocate and
have to play devil’s advocate and
have to play devil’s advocate and eventually wake everyone up and tell
eventually wake everyone up and tell
eventually wake everyone up and tell them that we need to get moving again a
them that we need to get moving again a
them that we need to get moving again a next and final stop comes just 47
next and final stop comes just 47
next and final stop comes just 47 kilometers from our destination when
kilometers from our destination when
kilometers from our destination when everyone’s desperate for a cup of chai
everyone’s desperate for a cup of chai
everyone’s desperate for a cup of chai but when we come back from this cup of
but when we come back from this cup of
but when we come back from this cup of chai we find RIA with a guilty almost
chai we find RIA with a guilty almost
chai we find RIA with a guilty almost sheepish look on her face it’s an
sheepish look on her face it’s an
sheepish look on her face it’s an expression that I thought was reserved
expression that I thought was reserved
expression that I thought was reserved only for my pet dog when he steals my
only for my pet dog when he steals my
only for my pet dog when he steals my socks but keeping this in mind one of
socks but keeping this in mind one of
socks but keeping this in mind one of the keepers holds out his hand and she
the keepers holds out his hand and she
the keepers holds out his hand and she drops into his palm one of the shower
drops into his palm one of the shower
drops into his palm one of the shower heads from a truck that she has broken
heads from a truck that she has broken
heads from a truck that she has broken off she’s easily forgiven for the damage
off she’s easily forgiven for the damage
off she’s easily forgiven for the damage the elephants are naturally curious
the elephants are naturally curious
the elephants are naturally curious animals they have brains so complex that
animals they have brains so complex that
animals they have brains so complex that it allows them to reason and feel in
it allows them to reason and feel in
it allows them to reason and feel in ways that are completely
ways that are completely
ways that are completely incomprehensible to human beings they
incomprehensible to human beings they
incomprehensible to human beings they can feel love they can understand family
can feel love they can understand family
can feel love they can understand family they understand loyalty they understand
they understand loyalty they understand
they understand loyalty they understand trust and they understand the betrayal
trust and they understand the betrayal
trust and they understand the betrayal of all of these as well the greatest
of all of these as well the greatest
of all of these as well the greatest injustice that we as human beings have
injustice that we as human beings have
injustice that we as human beings have paid to elephants
paid to elephants
paid to elephants is a willful ignorance a complete
is a willful ignorance a complete
is a willful ignorance a complete neglect of their mental and emotional
neglect of their mental and emotional
neglect of their mental and emotional capabilities we refuse to acknowledge
capabilities we refuse to acknowledge
capabilities we refuse to acknowledge the extent of the suffering we put them
the extent of the suffering we put them
the extent of the suffering we put them through when we tear apart their
through when we tear apart their
through when we tear apart their families when we beat them into
families when we beat them into
families when we beat them into submission and when we demean their
submission and when we demean their
submission and when we demean their intelligence by making them perform for
intelligence by making them perform for
intelligence by making them perform for our entertainment we drive through the
our entertainment we drive through the
our entertainment we drive through the night to finally bring RIA home to the
night to finally bring RIA home to the
night to finally bring RIA home to the elephant conservation and Care Center as
elephant conservation and Care Center as
elephant conservation and Care Center as the truck drives into her new home her
the truck drives into her new home her
the truck drives into her new home her trunk pops up above the carrier and
trunk pops up above the carrier and
trunk pops up above the carrier and swivels around like a rather curious
swivels around like a rather curious
swivels around like a rather curious smoker two of her elephants are grazing
smoker two of her elephants are grazing
smoker two of her elephants are grazing nearby and in perfect timing both their
nearby and in perfect timing both their
nearby and in perfect timing both their trunks go up as well this is the part of
trunks go up as well this is the part of
trunks go up as well this is the part of the story that I left out these two
the story that I left out these two
the story that I left out these two elephants are Mia and Sita and for more
elephants are Mia and Sita and for more
elephants are Mia and Sita and for more than 50 years they stood by RIA in the
than 50 years they stood by RIA in the
than 50 years they stood by RIA in the circus they was performing elephants
circus they was performing elephants
circus they was performing elephants just like her and alongside her they
just like her and alongside her they
just like her and alongside her they suffered they performed and they
suffered they performed and they
suffered they performed and they supported each other they aren’t related
supported each other they aren’t related
supported each other they aren’t related by blood but in every other way they’re
by blood but in every other way they’re
by blood but in every other way they’re family and they’re about to be reunited
family and they’re about to be reunited
family and they’re about to be reunited of this more than six months apart after
of this more than six months apart after
of this more than six months apart after the circuses attempts to sell RIA to a
the circuses attempts to sell RIA to a
the circuses attempts to sell RIA to a temple stopped us from getting the last
temple stopped us from getting the last
temple stopped us from getting the last bit of paperwork that we needed to
bit of paperwork that we needed to
bit of paperwork that we needed to rescue her along with her sister as RIA
rescue her along with her sister as RIA
rescue her along with her sister as RIA steps off the ambulance she becomes the
steps off the ambulance she becomes the
steps off the ambulance she becomes the eighth circus elephant to be rescued
eighth circus elephant to be rescued
eighth circus elephant to be rescued since while FSOs is inception of the
since while FSOs is inception of the
since while FSOs is inception of the circus elephant rescue campaign in 2014
circus elephant rescue campaign in 2014
circus elephant rescue campaign in 2014 leaving just fifty nine circus elephants
leaving just fifty nine circus elephants
leaving just fifty nine circus elephants left in circuses across India it seems
left in circuses across India it seems
left in circuses across India it seems like a large number maybe even an
like a large number maybe even an
like a large number maybe even an impossible number but if we could rescue
impossible number but if we could rescue
impossible number but if we could rescue more than six hundred dancing bears we
more than six hundred dancing bears we
more than six hundred dancing bears we can probably do this to Ria’s first
can probably do this to Ria’s first
can probably do this to Ria’s first reaction on seeing her sisters is to
reaction on seeing her sisters is to
reaction on seeing her sisters is to hold out a bushel of order almost as if
hold out a bushel of order almost as if
hold out a bushel of order almost as if a welcoming home gift when they approach
a welcoming home gift when they approach
a welcoming home gift when they approach each other it’s absolutely beautiful
each other it’s absolutely beautiful
each other it’s absolutely beautiful there’s rumbling there’s leaning against
there’s rumbling there’s leaning against
there’s rumbling there’s leaning against each other they’re linking trunks there
each other they’re linking trunks there
each other they’re linking trunks there squeaking and Ria’s part there
squeaking and Ria’s part there
squeaking and Ria’s part there just touching each other smelling each
just touching each other smelling each
just touching each other smelling each other feeling each other almost as if
other feeling each other almost as if
other feeling each other almost as if Mia and Sita are reassuring her that
Mia and Sita are reassuring her that
Mia and Sita are reassuring her that she’s finally home that she’s finally in
she’s finally home that she’s finally in
she’s finally home that she’s finally in a better place and that she’s finally
a better place and that she’s finally
a better place and that she’s finally safe from here on out it’s good things
safe from here on out it’s good things
safe from here on out it’s good things for her because the elephant
for her because the elephant
for her because the elephant conservation and Care Centre doesn’t
conservation and Care Centre doesn’t
conservation and Care Centre doesn’t just have her sisters
just have her sisters
just have her sisters it also comes equipped with everything
it also comes equipped with everything
it also comes equipped with everything you need to keep an elephant happy it
you need to keep an elephant happy it
you need to keep an elephant happy it comes with lots of space lots of space
comes with lots of space lots of space
comes with lots of space lots of space to roam other elephants to interact with
to roam other elephants to interact with
to roam other elephants to interact with it comes with excellent veterinary care
it comes with excellent veterinary care
it comes with excellent veterinary care and pools to relax him for a little
and pools to relax him for a little
and pools to relax him for a little exercise or just some downtime Surya it
exercise or just some downtime Surya it
exercise or just some downtime Surya it also comes with nutritious for there are
also comes with nutritious for there are
also comes with nutritious for there are lots of food and the family there’s one
lots of food and the family there’s one
lots of food and the family there’s one part of the story of course that’s the
part of the story of course that’s the
part of the story of course that’s the missing link
missing link
missing link emiru Lali remember him it gives me so
emiru Lali remember him it gives me so
emiru Lali remember him it gives me so much joy to tell you that less than six
much joy to tell you that less than six
much joy to tell you that less than six months after Rios rescue we were able to
months after Rios rescue we were able to
months after Rios rescue we were able to take Amira Ali to a doctor and did with
take Amira Ali to a doctor and did with
take Amira Ali to a doctor and did with a hearing aid now he can’t just hear us
a hearing aid now he can’t just hear us
a hearing aid now he can’t just hear us he can also hear his elephant he can be
he can also hear his elephant he can be
he can also hear his elephant he can be part of all her awkward squeaking
part of all her awkward squeaking
part of all her awkward squeaking one-sided conversation and he can be
one-sided conversation and he can be
one-sided conversation and he can be part of her rescue journey and recovery
part of her rescue journey and recovery
part of her rescue journey and recovery this has been one of the most fantastic
this has been one of the most fantastic
this has been one of the most fantastic experiences of my life being able to be
experiences of my life being able to be
experiences of my life being able to be a part of the change rather than the
a part of the change rather than the
a part of the change rather than the part of the problem and that’s something
part of the problem and that’s something
part of the problem and that’s something I hope all if you want to do as well
I hope all if you want to do as well
I hope all if you want to do as well [Applause]
”
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