A blind elephant, Suzy suffered a lot of neglect at the circus where it was forced to perform

Here is some heart-warming news for animal lovers across the world.

The blind elephant ‘Suzy’, who was one of India’s 67 remaining circus elephants, has arrived at its new home at the Elephant Care and Conservation Centre in Mathura. The centre is run by Wildlife SOS in collaboration with Uttar Pradesh Forest Department.

The animal was rescued by Wildlife SOS (a Delhi based non-government organisation that works in the area of animal rights) earlier this month.

Suzy completed the adventurous 2,000-km-long road trip from the holding facility in Tirupati to Mathura in four days after beginning the journey on February 5.

The trip comprised frequent stops to provide Suzy with veterinary care, adequate feed, water and exercise.

“Suzy was transported in a convoy of three vehicles, including a ten-wheel truck and two support vehicles of Wildlife SOS. She reached about a week ago. Her rescue team consisted of two veterinarians, logistics support staff, paraveterinary workers and six elephant workers. The convoy was equipped with food, medicine and even vehicle spare parts in case of breakdowns. Her rescue is the first in a campaign to make elephants performing in circuses a thing of the past in India,’’ said a release issued by Wildlife SOS.

Dr. Arun A. Sha, Wildlife SOS veterinary director said: “Our team overcame several obstacles on the journey, including bad roads, minor road accidents, vehicle trouble, dense fog, even a gang of dacoits [highway robbers] where we managed to talk our way out of a precarious situation.”

He added that Suzy is blind and suffered a lot of neglect at the circus where it was forced to perform.

“She was chained most of the time with little or no exercise. Her age appears to be much more than what was mentioned in the ownership certificate. From close observation of stereotypic behaviour displayed by the elephant, it is evident that she was subjected to mental torture and continuous chaining and confinement,” said Geeta Seshamani, co-founder Wildlife SOS.

Initially, Suzy was shifted to a temporary holding facility of the Forest Department in Tirupati Zoo, where it was provided veterinary intervention that saved its life. Over next several weeks they completed the paperwork and transport documentation to shift Suzy from the temporary holding facility to its final home, where the elephant will receive veterinary care and lifetime support.

The Wildlife SOS team of elephant experts travelled from the Elephant Conservation and Care Centre in Mathura to Tirupati Zoo in Andhra Pradesh to rescue Suzy in cooperation with the State Forest Department.