Ending The Brutal Centuries-Old Practice Of ‘Begging’ Elephants' ( Video )

 

Please click on video to enlarge

Veer, a severely injured bull elephant, is being used for “begging” despite a crippling leg injury. Video evidence shows him forced to work in chains, enduring visible pain with every step. His condition is critical, and the need to bring him to safety has never been more urgent. A Wildlife SOS rescue operation is underway!

A begging elephant

The ambulance is ready. We’re ready. And we’re going to bring Veer home.

When Wildlife SOS first began the campaign to bring an end to ‘dancing’ bears, most people said it couldn’t be done. In the late 1990s, we embarked on a nationwide effort to save all sloth bears that languished at the end of the rope. By 2009, headlines read “There are no more ‘dancing’ bears in India!” It took a decade of focus to overcome seemingly insurmountable challenges, but Wildlife SOS was able to achieve what seemed impossible to most … every last dancing bear in India was rescued and brought to sanctuary.

Elephant Veer finally free and on her way to a better life

Since then, Wildlife SOS has become the leading advocate for captive elephants by building India’s first:

• Humane Elephant Rescue Centers with compassionate care and management techniques.
• India’s first Elephant Hospital using modern equipment and medical practices.
• A specially designed ambulance to rescue elephants in distress.
• Programs to handle elephants through positive conditioning using a protected contact wall.

“Wildlife SOS has been saving elephants for more than a decade, and we have seen firsthand what begging elephants are forced to endure. We have rescued many, but tragically, some elephants have succumbed to their untreated injuries before help could reach them. These situations have been immensely heartbreaking, yet driving us to action.

We knew we couldn’t stand by and wait for another tragedy, now is the time to lead an organised effort to end the cruel practice of begging elephants once and for all.” – Kartick Satyanarayan, CEO and Co-Founder, Wildlife SOS

Get to know Wildlife SOS video and why do bear cubs ride on their mother's back? Charming images

https://wildlifesos.org/

It’s one of nature’s most charming images: a sloth bear cub perched on its mother’s back like a tiny passenger. But behind that sweet scene is an incredible story of instinct, adaptation, and survival.

One of the most iconic behaviours of sloth bears is the way mothers carry one—or sometimes two—cubs on their backs. In fact, sloth bears are the only bear species known to routinely carry their young this way, from the time cubs leave the natal den until they are around 6–9 months old. Even older cubs will occasionally hitch a ride.

But how—and why—do they do it?

Photo © Wildlife SOS

That question is the focus of a new Wildlife SOS article published in International Bear News.

It turns out that sloth bear cubs—and even some adults—have an innate fascination with hair and fur. Hair is pulled, sniffed, and sometimes even gently sucked on, with longer hair often proving especially irresistible. Cubs are surprisingly adept at gripping hair and fur, and they can easily climb up their mother’s shaggy legs and onto her back. Once there, they rely mostly on balance rather than a constant tight hold—unless their mother begins running, digging, or engaging in other vigorous activity. In those moments, the cubs cling on with everything they have, gripping her fur with all four paws and even using their mouths for extra support.

So why do they ride on their mother’s back in the first place? The answer appears to be safety.

Sloth bears face threats from predators such as tigers and leopards, and they aren’t always fully aware of what’s happening around them. While foraging, they often move across the landscape with their heads down, focused on feeding—sometimes seeming almost oblivious. With cubs riding on her back, however, a mother sloth bear can keep close track of her young at all times, even during sudden encounters.

Photo © Wildlife SOS

Leopards, in particular, are exceptionally stealthy and can catch an unsuspecting sloth bear by surprise. But attempting to snatch a cub from a mother’s back would be far more difficult—and far more dangerous.

The sloth bear is truly one of the most unique bears in existence, and this remarkable cub-carrying behaviour is just one more example of how evolution has shaped them for survival. The more we learn about sloth bears, the better we can protect them. Your support helps Wildlife SOS rescue bears in need, care for them through recovery, and deepen our understanding of their behaviour—so we can advocate for stronger protection and a safer future for sloth bears in the wild.

Feature Image: Wildlife SOS   

Bear cubs on the back of their mother bear whilst swimming

https://youtu.be/4o1IIfVixdo?si=DIv59AKkb44uhxmx

https://abcnews.com/video/72554630/                 

Upsetting news: The shipment with veterinary medication and animal feed waiting at the border with Gaza has been confirmed as missing: we hope that the supplies were used to help animals in need

 

Thank you, as always, for everything you do for working donkeys, mules and horses. Your kindness reaches further than you may ever realise helping animals in desperate need. I’m writing today with some difficult news. The aid shipment of veterinary medicines and animal feed that had been waiting at the border with Gaza for some months has now been confirmed as missing. We do know it made it over the border, so can only hope that the supplies were put to good use helping animals in need. But thanks to your continued support, we have acted quickly. Now the border is open, we are already planning a replacement shipment and we will of course keep you updated on progress.  And today we’re sharing an update from our team in Gaza, who continue to work under the most challenging conditions. We hope you take a moment to click through to view Najeeba's latest video, showing you the reality of working conditions. With our heartfelt thanks, Wendy Safe Haven UK Office  An update from Gaza Our mobile team continues to operate across southern areas, including Khan Yunis and Al-Qararah, as well as central Gaza. Despite extremely unpredictable conditions, the team have treated hundreds of animals in recent weeks. Many of these cases require repeat visits and careful follow-up, alongside emergency call-outs. The team have been travelling across the southern and central areas of Gaza in recent weeks, providing first aid to donkeys, mules and horses. Encouragingly, for the first time since the beginning of the war, we are seeing genuine improvement in the general health of working donkeys. This progress is hard won. It reflects months of persistence, dedication and your ongoing support. Even in the midst of chaos, healing is happening. Mohammad and Al-Dagmah provide a check up to a donkey and foal. We are pleased to see an improvement in the general health of working animals.  Our team recently carried out an emergency visit in western Khan Yunis, close to refugee camps near the coast. They responded to an urgent call about a donkey showing clear signs of tetanus - a serious and potentially life-threatening condition that causes severe muscle stiffness and painful contractions. The team respond to an emergency call out - a suspected case of tetanus, which can be fatal. The team examined him on site and immediately administered the necessary treatment and medications. Because tetanus can progress quickly, this case is being closely monitored. Follow-up visits are already planned to assess how he responds and to adjust treatment if needed. Thanks to you, this donkey received timely treatment and is not suffering. The donkey received vital treatment - we will provide an update as soon as we can. Najeeba, Dr Saif's wife, has continued to share updates directly from Al-Qararah, in northern Khan Yunis, where tens of thousands of displaced families are sheltering. You can see her latest video below or by clicking here. In the refugee camps, working donkeys are not just animals - they are transport, income and daily survival for families. Najeeba explains that the team is working to relieve pain and suffering wherever they can. Please click the image above to see Najeeba's latest video update. Najeeba has also asked us to pass on the team's thanks to you, our wonderful supporters.  You make every visit, every treatment and every recovery possible. We are aiming to send out a replacement shipment imminently - with vital veterinary medication.  Thank You  Your support funds our mobile vet teams in Gaza, the West Bank, and Egypt, bringing veterinary care directly to working donkeys in desperate need. It also helps us care for rescue donkeys at our sanctuaries in Israel and the West Bank, where they receive nutritious food, specialist care, and the safety of a forever home. Thank you for caring for these gentle animals. Donate today Your support is helping to pay for vital medication - helping to care for donkeys like this suspected case of tetanus. Thank you so much. If you'd like to read previous updates of our work, please click here to visit out blog. You can also view today's update online by clicking here.

Copyright © 2026 Safe Haven for Donkeys, All rights reserved. You were subscribed to the newsletter from Safe Haven for Donkeys

In this video, you’ll see the moments that sparked global attention: rejection, tension, hesitation… and the quiet way Punch copes when he feels alone.

 

https://youtu.be/TomoxyRYxh0?si=u-pDAzBRYxFh_20N

A second very cute and emotional video 

Punch isn’t just another zoo monkey — he became a symbol of something millions of people instantly recognized.

In this video, you’ll see the moments that sparked global attention: rejection, tension, hesitation… and the quiet way Punch copes when he feels alone. There’s no narration needed. Just watch his body language. It says everything. If this moved you even a little, you’re not alone.

Meet Punch, the baby Japanese macaque who has basically become the internet’s favorite tiny celebrity.

Punch was born at Ichikawa City Zoo outside Tokyo in July 2025, and zookeepers said his mother abandoned him soon after. Staff later gave him a stuffed orangutan for comfort, and videos of him carrying it around went viral, with people saying the little plush looks like his best friend.
The attention has even drawn bigger crowds to the zoo, and recent updates say Punch has started slowly bonding with other monkeys as he learns how to socialize.

Abandoned at airport Las Vegas tied to a leash, a young goldendoodle dog, owner waiting to board her flight without the dog, ends up being adopted by the officer that rescued her.

 

Abandoned at the airport with nothing but a leash and a lot of confusion, a young goldendoodle has landed somewhere better than any arrival gate — on the couch of the officer who rescued him.

The dog was found tied to a carry-on-baggage sizer by the JetBlue ticket counter at Terminal 3 at Las Vegas’ Harry Reid International Airport earlier this month, according to the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department.

A group of Las Vegas police officers responded to reports of the abandoned pooch at 11:39 p.m.  After speaking with airline staff, they learned that the owner had ditched her dog when told she needed to complete additional paperwork in order to bring him on board as a service animal.

Officers then tracked the owner down at Gate D1 where she was waiting to board her flight, sans pooch. When officers questioned her, she became defensive, stating that the airline wouldn’t let her fly with him and that the dog had a tracking device, “implying it was acceptable to leave the animal behind and it would return to her,” the department said in a statement.

The woman then became hostile and resisted officers’ attempts to detain her as they escorted her back through the security checkpoint. She was subsequently arrested on suspicion of animal abandonment and resisting arrest.

But, in a pawsitive turn of events, one of the responding officers had been trying to adopt a goldendoodle since September and had already been screened by the Retriever Rescue of Las Vegas.

Jet Blue was abandoned at Harry Reid International Airport.

 

(Las Vegas

 Metropolitan Police Department)

Affectionately nicknamed Jet Blue, the 2-year-old dog officially moved in with Officer Skeeter Black and his family on Sunday.

“What began as a heartbreaking act of abandonment has turned into a powerful example of compassion, teamwork, and community partnership,” the department said in a statement. “Jet Blue’s next journey begins this time, surrounded by the people who stepped in when he needed it most.”

Before being adopted, Jet Blue was cared for by Animal Protective Services during a 10-day mandatory hold to see if the owner would claim him. When she did not, Retriever Rescue of Las Vegas then selected Officer Black to be the dog’s new owner.

This is not cute it is tragic : little Ori torn away from his mother forced to be cuddled and passed on from person to person as a trophy pet

 

Ori the little lion cub, stolen from the wild and here a trophy pet particularly used for fun at party's 

At this age, little Ori should still have been nursing with his mother but instead, he was torn from her to become a product for sale in the illegal wildlife trade. He was passed from person to person, forced to be cuddled and posed with, as his owners enjoyed the status of owning a #TrophyPet lion. Deprived of everything he needed, forced into dependency on humans. But the day this picture was taken, Ori’s luck changed.

Ori was confiscated from a house by Israel’s Nature & Parks Authority (NPA) in a crackdown on illegally trafficked animals. He had been stolen from his mother so young that he was desperate for human attention, but Ori had another lucky break. Less than a week earlier, NPA had seized another cub Ben-Tzur, after he was found tied to a tree. There is every chance the pair are brothers; certainly, they are now loving brothers. Ben-Tzur has helped Ori regain his confidence, reassuring him when he is nervous, and helping him become a lion again. Being with Ori has also helped Ben-Tzur’s confidence.

Ori and Ben-Tzur  enjoying each others company

Now, the boys are on the brink of another giant step: A new life at the ADI Wildlife Sanctuary in South Africa. We have been working since January to bring the boys home and are one permit away from confirming their flight. They needed to get out fast as are outgrowing their temporary space – ADI took the financial risk, and said yes. With your help, Ori and Ben-Tzur have almost their entire lives ahead of them, not tied to a tree, not living in a basement being passed from person to person but roaming acres of space in the land of their ancestors.

We must fight back against the traffickers, we must enforce laws, and help officials seize animals – sometimes the window of opportunity is tiny. Please help ADI support anti-trafficking law enforcement actions like this, to bring Ori and Ben-Tzur home to Africa, and care for them for the rest of their lives.

Will you help us TODAY? Donate US $, CA $ | Donate £, Euros, Rand

REMEMBER: NEVER SUPPORT CUB PETTING OR PEOPLE HANDLING LIONS ON SOCIAL MEDIA. ADI has already rescued other ‘pet’ lions from around the world, most recently Kuwait. Lions are not pets.

https://adiwildlifesanctuary.org.za/2026/02/20/this-is-not-cute-its-tragic/

Is de-horning rhinos the answer to anti-poaching? Cutting off rhinos’ horns is a contentious last resort to stop poaching. A new study found it works

 

It's a sad world that we have to de-horn wildlife so that they can survive

South Africa’s anti-poaching and anti-trafficking efforts saw a 16% drop in rhino poaching in 2025 compared to 2024. Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, Mr. Willie Aucamp, attributes the decline to “dedication and tactical, swift coordination.” Conservationists, however, caution that the fight against rhino poaching is far from over.

“From January to December 2025, 352 rhinos were poached in South Africa, with 266 being killed on state properties and 86 on privately owned parks, reserves, or farms. This was a decrease of 68 in comparison to 420 rhinos poached in 2024,” said Minister Aucamp.

Mpumalanga was the hardest-hit province, losing 178 rhinos, mostly in Kruger National Park, which reported 175 poached rhinos—up from 88 in 2024. In contrast, Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park in KwaZulu-Natal saw poaching drop from 198 in 2024 to 63 in 2025, thanks to collaboration through the Integrated Wildlife Zones (IWZ) Programme and support from WWF, Save the Rhino International, Wildlife ACT, and Peace Parks Foundation.

This how it should be, rhinos with horns. Money the root of all evil

Ezemvelo notes that 2025’s reduction was driven by multiple measures: strategic dehorning, advanced detection technologies, early-warning systems, and the Integrity Implementation Plan, including polygraphing of all park law-enforcement personnel.

The National Integrated Strategy to Combat Wildlife Trafficking (NISCWT) is strengthening prosecutions, centralizing cases to give courts a full view of criminal syndicates, including organized crime and money laundering. A key example is ZM Muiambo, aka Thomas Chauke, who was found guilty on 19 charges, including illegal rhino hunting and theft of rhino horns. In April 2025, he was sentenced to 20 years in prison. 

Minister Aucamp conveyed his gratitude to private rhino owners and the private sector for their anti-poaching efforts. He emphasized that coordinated action by the government, NGOs, and the private sector is central to sustaining progress.

“South Africa continues to strengthen its international collaboration to curb rhino poaching and wildlife trafficking. These efforts led to the country receiving the Asia Environmental Enforcement Recognition of Excellence Award late last year, which celebrates excellence in enforcement by government officials, institutions, and teams combatting transboundary environmental crimes,” said Minister Aucamp.

“Working together with the South African anti-poaching and anti-trafficking organizations, we remain committed to a balanced, intelligence-driven, and partnership-based approach to rhino protection, recognizing that sustained success requires constant adaptation, integrity, and cooperation across all sectors,” said Minister Aucamp.

“While this is much-needed progress, rhinos remain under serious threat. Urgent and coordinated action across all sectors is needed to stop poaching and ensure these animals have a future in the wild.” — Peace 4 Animals & World Animal News 

Members of the public can report suspicious wildlife activities to the environmental crime hotline at 0800 205 005 or SAPS 10111.