Injured elephant gets new home

NEW DELHI: An elephant, which was seriously injured in a road accident here two months ago, has been sent to a rehabilitation centre in Agra by a wildlife NGO with help from two international groups.

Bhola, a blind male elephant, was hit by a truck on the night of September 23 in North Delhi when its owner was taking it home after it performed at a wedding function.

The Wildlife SOS rescue team along with the police gave timely assistance to help Bhola recover. The truck driver was arrested and a case of rash and negligent driving registered against him.

"At first it looked like Bhola would never walk again and he would be paralysed for life, but the gentle giant had a strong will to live and with a lot of efforts, patience and determination Bhola is now finally on his own legs," said Kartick Satyanarayan, co-founder of Wildlife SOS.

The NGO also managed to get the legal custody of the elephant after it was found that the owner did not have all the relevant documents to show that he owned the animal.

"With generous support from France-based One Voice Association and HSI of Australia, Bhola has been safely transported to 'Elephant Haven' in Agra where it would have other elephants for company," Satyanarayan said.