He was dubbed the 'unluckiest elephant in the world' after being beaten, abused and kept in shackles by his captors over more than 50 years.

But it looks as though Mohan's luck may be changing as he was rescued by an animal welfare charity last week and sent to recover in a sanctuary.

Mohan, 55, who is believed to have been taken from his family by poachers when he was a calf, was used as a working elephant for all of his life in India.

Mohan the elephant (pictured) was finally freed by an animal charity last week after spending 50 years in chains in India

He was taught to beg for money or rented out as a prop for local weddings.

North London-based charity Wildlife SOS claimed his wounds and weight suggested he was chained and beaten in order to be trained.

Mohan was supposed to be rescued in July 2014 alongside elephant Raju - who was pictured crying after his release.

They spent several weeks tied next to each other in chains - but Mohan 'disappeared without a trace' shortly before Raju was rescued.

He was dubbed the 'unluckiest elephant in the world' after being beaten, abused and kept in shackles by his captors over more than 50 years

But it looks as though Mohan's luck may be changing as he was rescued by an animal welfare charity last week and sent to recover in a sanctuary

'His freedom has been a long-time coming, and we are so grateful to everyone who stood strong through this long and often disheartening and dangerous fight for his freedom,' a spokesman for Wildlife SOS said.

'Now he will never be abused, beaten or neglected in any way. His right to be free has been debated and put on hold in court countless times.

'He has suffered alone and in silence for decades, in fragile health… and miraculously, he has survived.

'And now he will live the rest of his life as a free elephant.'

The charity spent more than two years trying to track the elephant down and launch a successful rescue mission.

Rescuers posted a picture taken inside the unmarked van used to catch the elephant's owners off guard

Workers at the Elephant Conservation and Care Center in Mathura, Uttar Pradesh, northern India, said the elephant is now 'safe' and 'eating quite well'

They finally succeeded earlier this week in what they described as one of the 'most dangerous and emotionally charged rescue operations of the decade'.

Rescuers posted a picture taken inside the unmarked van used to catch the elephant's owners off guard.

'At the stoke of midnight (India time), Mohan entered the Wildlife SOS Animal Ambulance for his final ride to freedom,' the caption read.

'The majestic fellow gobbled fresh bananas and was shown some love by the official WSOS Mohan Freedom Team before the ambulance doors were closed.'

Workers at the Elephant Conservation and Care Center in Mathura, Uttar Pradesh, northern India, said the elephant is now 'safe' and 'eating quite well'.