Lucknow: An elephant, kept in in-humane conditions for 50-long-years by his owner in Uttar Pradesh, has been rescued by Wildlife SOS UK.

Raju was starved, beaten, kept in chains and spikes and forced to eat paper and plastic to fill his stomach by his drug addict owner. The intolerable conditions left him suffering from chronic wounds, arthritis and constant pain. The owner made him hold out his trunk the entire day to beg for money.

The volunteers who travelled all the way from North London to India to free Raju met with resistance when they tried to free Raju.

A team of vets and wildlife experts along with 20 forestry department officers and six policemen were part of the rescue operation. The operation was carried out in the night to protect Raju from sunlight and avoid unwanted accidents that may arise out the dangerous rescue operation. The team was astounded when they saw tears roll down the eyes of Raju as they tried to free him from the grip of his abusive owner.

The wildlife organisation became aware of Raju's plight in July last year. Since then the organisation has been desperately trying to organise his release from the clutches of his dreadful owner.

It is believed that Raju was poached as a little calf and has been sold as many as 27 times.

He remained in chains 24 hours a day and forced to beg money. He wasn't fed properly and because he was in a state of hunger he started feeding on plastics and papers. His nails are severely overgrown, he has abscesses and wounds because of the shackles and continually walking on a tarmac road has led to his foot pad overgrowing

The rescue team mounted a 2-day-long recce before conducting the rescue operation.

Raju was shackled with spikes and each time he moved the spikes would cut into his flesh and the puss would ooze out of wounds. The owner did not spare even the hairs on his tail. They were torn out and sold as good luck charm. He further chained Raju and started shouting commands to terrify Raju and try to provoke him as volunteers made an attempt to free him.

The volunteers refused to relent and stood their ground. Tears began to roll down Raju's face as he saw volunteers making defiant attempt to free him from his misery. Finally their efforts paid off and he was carefully shifted to Elephant Conservation and Care Centre at Mathura in a lorry.

The volunteers revealed that other elephants in the sanctuary came out to see him when he arrived at the sanctuary at midnight. It took more than 45 minutes and two handlers to take off the chains. He was then fed on bananas, leaves, mangoes, bread and biscuits. He also received emergency medical attention to his wounds and a proper bath.

The sanctuary plans to put him together with two other elephants, Rajesh and Bhola, who too suffered innumerable pain like Raju. The officials are hoping that Rajesh and Bhola would teach him the ways of life before he can be put in with other elephants- including five flirtatious females.