General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsUpdate on Raju the Elephant:
Apparently he has a new girlfriend.
http://www.news.com.au/technology/science/raju-the-elephant-slave-meets-his-new-family-for-the-first-time/story-fnjwkt0b-1226983396082
I am so happy he will have a happy life, eating proper elephant food, getting his wounds treated, and hanging out with other elephants!
JustAnotherGen
(31,818 posts)How lovely!
littlemissmartypants
(22,636 posts)Warpy
(111,254 posts)He's pathetically thin and his legs look deformed.
His "owner" should end up in prison for this, but is probably so desperately poor that just taking Raju away will be punishment enough.
Enthusiast
(50,983 posts)frylock
(34,825 posts)for just a day or so.
Enthusiast
(50,983 posts)How could anyone think such a shackle was alright? So cruel. For some reason I find cruelty to elephants especially egregious, somehow worse than other cruelty. Elephants seem so gentle and loving.
one_voice
(20,043 posts)Arugula Latte
(50,566 posts)I would gladly see this fucking "owner" tortured in an Indian prison for 50 years.
catbyte
(34,376 posts)Animal torturers are the lowest of the low.
Xyzse
(8,217 posts)Tierra_y_Libertad
(50,414 posts)ohheckyeah
(9,314 posts)Liberal_in_LA
(44,397 posts)JI7
(89,248 posts)and dogs.
they also need to arrest the people who are abusing them.
KT2000
(20,577 posts)when very young.
progressoid
(49,988 posts)mrsadm
(1,198 posts)Blue Owl
(50,355 posts)MFM008
(19,808 posts)you go Raju.
frylock
(34,825 posts)so happy for him!
ColesCountyDem
(6,943 posts)"The quality of mercy is not strained; It droppeth as the gentle rain from heaven Upon the place beneath. It is twice blessed- It blesseth him that gives, and him that takes.
-- Shakespeare, The Merchant of Venice
cali
(114,904 posts)irony in the service of exposing hypocrisy. Portia is a nasty piece of work and about as compassionate as Raju's prior "owner"... but I know what you mean.
ColesCountyDem
(6,943 posts)Good job!
cali
(114,904 posts)so that was fresh in my mind.
Submariner
(12,503 posts)kudos to them and for Raju's sense that they are there to help him. No more hurt.
meti57b
(3,584 posts)hamsterjill
(15,220 posts)My thoughts exactly!
Iwillnevergiveup
(9,298 posts)what an overwhelmingly emotional story. Congratulations and thanks to all the people who made a new life possible for Raju. Thanks for posting.
LynneSin
(95,337 posts)to think an elephant about the same age as me has better luck finding a date then I do
pinboy3niner
(53,339 posts)Ain't that the truth!
Flaxbee
(13,661 posts)effing YEARS before someone did something brave to save this majestic animal?
Grateful now, yes. And not to diminish the bravery and kindness of those that saved Raju.
Just wondering where other people were for the past half century...
JI7
(89,248 posts)i hope he wasn't badly treated all of those years .
G_j
(40,367 posts)thank you!
DirkGently
(12,151 posts)UtahLib
(3,179 posts)hopemountain
(3,919 posts)he is with family and free. my own heart is a bit lighter. thanks for the update, brigid
More than happy to K&R
malaise
(268,966 posts)Thanks Brigid
Dogtired
(8 posts)God Bless the people who do such wonderful things for such innocent and beautiful creatures who have suffered so much and a special place in hell for the greedy bastards who do such things to them.
jimlup
(7,968 posts)Viva Raju!
littlemissmartypants
(22,636 posts)Love, Peace and Shelter.
Dustlawyer
(10,495 posts)heaven05
(18,124 posts)some people still have hearts full of compassion for the lesser creatures on this very cruel planet.
catbyte
(34,376 posts)Actually, I don't see animals as "lesser." They are "other nations", to quote Henry Beston.
So true on US, and I'll use that "other nations". Have to go study Henry Beston. Thanks.
catbyte
(34,376 posts)I was 16 when I read that paragraph and it chnged my life & how I viewed life on Planet Earth.
Shankapotomus
(4,840 posts)you can donate here: http://www.wildlifesos.org/donate
Great story.
NealK
(1,867 posts)I was so moved by his story. <3
Uncle Joe
(58,355 posts)Thanks for the thread, Brigid.
catbyte
(34,376 posts)mountain grammy
(26,619 posts)JI7
(89,248 posts)This elephant's memory won't let him forget.
The animal lovers who rescued pachyderm Raju in India are working hard to win his trust after he'd been shackled in spiked-chains for 50 years, which soured his opinion of humans.
"The problem is he has lost his faith in humanity. We have to be very cautious and win his trust while doing it. It will take a few days to win his love and trust," Khadpekar said in a video from Wildlife SOS.
Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/news/world/raju-befriends-fellow-elephant-wary-humans-article-1.1861812#ixzz37EGwRnSe
catbyte
(34,376 posts)I am sure that he will realize that not all of us are evil.
JI7
(89,248 posts)catbyte
(34,376 posts)& it our responsibility to make sure Raju has as full a life as possible. He probably saw his mother murdered and who knows what fresh horrors he endured after. I'm just glad he was rescued in time to experience a little joy. I think they can know joy.
yortsed snacilbuper
(7,939 posts)Recipient information
Donations coordinator: Wildlife SOS
smirkymonkey
(63,221 posts)I hope the rest of his life is peaceful.