The relationship between an elephant and their caregiver is a unique and profound bond that can make all the difference between merely surviving and truly thriving.

Babu Lal, a compassionate caregiver at the Wildlife SOS Elephant Conservation & Care Center in Mathura, India, has been nurturing this extraordinary connection for over a decade.

His love and dedication to providing rescued elephants with the care they deserve have become an inspiring testament to the mission of Wildlife SOS.

Rescue and Dedication

Babu Lal’s journey with Wildlife SOS began when they rescued Champa, an elephant he had been caring for.

Impressed by Wildlife SOS’s dedication to improving the lives of captive elephants across India, they offered him a job.

Babu Lal gladly accepted, seeing it as an opportunity to continue caring for Champa in her new life.

Wildlife SOS, in its effort to foster a positive environment for both elephants and their caregivers, routinely extends job offers to the former keepers, while imparting them with respect, care, and animal welfare principles.

Over the course of his 11-year tenure, which has now entered its 12th year, Babu Lal has gained invaluable experience and perspective.

He has transitioned from using traditional elephant management techniques to humane methods based on positive reinforcement.

This shift has not only improved the elephants’ well-being but also enriched Babu Lal’s own understanding of these magnificent creatures.

A Day in Babu Lal’s Life

Babu Lal’s daily routine revolves around the care of two resident elephants, Asha and Suzy. His day begins at 4 o’clock in the morning when he checks on their well-being and cleans their enclosures.

After their morning walk, Babu Lal provides them with nourishing fodder and fruits.

Suzy, being one of the oldest elephants in their care, enjoys watermelon smoothies and finely chopped fodder to accommodate her lack of teeth.

Throughout the day, Babu Lal engages Asha in target training, bathes both elephants, and assists the veterinarians during their treatments.

His dedication to their well-being is evident in every aspect of his work, and he always looks forward to calming them during their treatments.

The elephants’ affectionate response, raising their trunks whenever they sense Babu Lal’s presence, fills him with a sense of deep love and appreciation.

The Gentle Giants: Asha and Suzy

Babu Lal lovingly describes Asha and Suzy as gentle and calm beings. Asha, though shy, finds solace in sleeping in the pool, and Babu Lal hopes that she’ll someday embrace her playful side.

Suzy, on the other hand, is completely blind and has no remaining teeth. Babu Lal tenderly observes how Suzy thrashes her food against her feet to break it down further before eating, displaying her remarkable adaptability.

The Call for Support

Babu Lal’s dedication and the relentless efforts of Wildlife SOS would not be possible without the support of the general public.

Wildlife SOS, as a conservation nonprofit, relies entirely on the generosity of donors to sustain its mission.

Babu Lal expresses heartfelt gratitude to all those supporting the elephants during these challenging times and urges everyone to contribute in whatever way they can to ensure the success of Wildlife SOS’s centers.

A Dream of Coexistence

At the core of Wildlife SOS’s dream is a harmonious coexistence between humans and wildlife in their shared landscape.

Babu Lal’s unwavering love, dedication, and hard work are living examples of this dream in action. Through his compassionate care and the tireless efforts of Wildlife SOS, the rescued elephants find hope, healing, and a chance to thrive in their new lives.

Babu Lal’s heartwarming bond with Asha and Suzy serves as a poignant reminder of the profound connection between elephants and their caregivers.

His unwavering dedication to providing rescued elephants with love and care has made a lasting impact, not only on their lives but also on his own.

Wildlife SOS’s mission to improve the lives of captive elephants is sustained by the support and generosity of the public, and Babu Lal fervently calls upon all to contribute to this noble cause.

As we witness the heartwarming journey of Babu Lal and the rescued elephants, we are reminded of the beauty that emerges when empathy and compassion come together to protect and uplift these gentle giants.