Wildlife SOS has rescued, rehabilitated and released many animals over the past 30 years. The everyday work at our centres includes our caregivers and veterinarians tirelessly dedicating hours to care for the animals. During the structured routine, certain episodes emerge and reflect the quirky behaviour of our resident animals. Their cheerful, unique and interesting acts truly make for unforgettable tales.
Recently, a baby elephant, gravely injured and requiring utmost attention, arrived at the Elephant Hospital Campus.
Bani is learning to stand
Over the past few months, our team of veterinarians and caregivers have devoted themselves to focus on her health and employ every possible technique to restore her well-being.
Taking a bath and playing with one of the elephant keepers
While baby Bani’s care came as a colossal challenge, the team and Bani took up this journey with courage and might. Every positive move she made had our team cheer with delight. One of the ways Bani showed signs of healing was through her mischievous conduct that she began to slowly reveal. She is now amicably called a “bundle of joy” that never fails to bring a smile to everyone’s face!
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It has been a year since we have had young Bani under our care, and what a year it has been! One of patience, resilience, joy, setbacks, triumphs, and so much progress. Baby Bani met with a horrifying accident in Uttarakhand in 2023 — while crossing the railway track with her herd, she was hit by a speeding train, the impact of which left her hindlimbs paralysed. https://wildlifesos.org/bani-live-updates-from-the-field/
Bani is the first-ever infant elephant Wildlife SOS is providing long-term care to. It has been a journey of great learning for all of us, as this small entrant has, in her own big way, has taught us all to never give up. From the moment Bani arrived at the Elephant Hospital Campus (EHC) in Mathura, medical treatments and unending affection have been showered on her in equal proportions. In return, this young calf has kept everyone fascinated by her vibrant spirit, and her adorable antics!
[Photo (c) Wildlife SOS/Atharva Pacharne]
Breakfast shenanigans are what Bani’s mornings begin with! Awake by 6 am, she eagerly waits for her favourite warm, cooked porridge made from pulses, wheat grain, milk, and water. The moment she catches the scent, her ears start flapping like tiny fans, and she makes sure to let out an impatient squeak. This call is aimed specifically at her caregivers, who by now, know the drill — they have to serve this to her quickly, or risk hearing the tiny prompt becoming unending loud grunts!
[Photo (c) Wildlife SOS/Atharva Pacharne]
Bani finishes off the porridge, three litres of it, within minutes. The young pachyderm doesn’t put the bottle down till she has taken in the very last drop! Once unable to stand, and being bottle-fed by our team, we are happy to report that dear Bani has now gained the strength to get on her feet and confidently feed herself!
For Bani, grave issues to her hindlimbs led our team to design special boots for her comfort, which also serve as her armor to shield her foot pads. However, Bani has included a mischievous act that seems to thoroughly entertain her. Moments after the caregivers help to put these boots on, she yanks them off, waiting expectantly for them to be put back on! This becomes an endless cycle, which she has now made into a playful game!
[Photo (c) Wildlife SOS/Vineet Kumar Singh]
Bani’s mini trumpets sound like chuckles. Caregivers, understanding her childlike nature, have also invented a vocal call to mimic Bani’s trumpet. The moment they use this sound to call out to her, she responds with a louder one, turning this into a long-lasting conversation!
[Photo (c) Wildlife SOS/Vineet Kumar Singh]
There’s not a single dull moment around Bani. When caregivers arrive to refill her enrichments with some tasty, juicy fodder, she sneaks in to swipe more than a few from the bucket. Bani’s curious trunk never rests, even during her evening walks with her caregiver. It makes sure to explore every corner of the hospital ground, leaving no leaf or pebble unturned!
[Photo (c) Wildlife SOS/Atharva Pacharne]
Bani’s medical care remains a top priority. She continues to receive a combination of Ayurvedic and allopathic medicines to support her immunity, joint health, and overall well-being. Oil massages on both hindlimbs are given to improve blood circulation and mobility. Twice a month, she undergoes acupuncture sessions, which has shown positive results. While her body is reviving from the shock and paralysis, Bani is left with an impaired right hindlimb that she drags when she moves. Focused treatments including physiotherapy have helped this pattern to significantly decrease, marking Bani’s remarkable resilience.
[Photo (c) Wildlife SOS/Vineet Kumar Singh]
For Bani’s first winter experience under our care, our team made sure the infant elephant remained warm. A custom-made winter jacket was created for her, and it kept her snug on chilly nights. Halogen lamps in her enclosure were installed to generate warmth, and thick hay bedding was laid out to provide extra insulation. Tarpaulin sheets were suspended to block the cold winds, ensuring she stays cosy.
[Photo (c) Wildlife SOS/Mradul Pathak]
Fun activities for Bani to keep herself enjoyably engaged and active have been set up. She has been spending ample and equal time with cage feeders, hanging haynets, and tyre feeders, all created in mini sizes for Bani, stuffed with fresh fodder that includes bamboo and sugarcane. These enrichments too have been designed as miniature ones to suit her height and size, and it is a joy to witness her pulling out and munching on the juicy fodder. Bani also demands refills for these with a squeak! She relishes the juicy watermelons and cucumbers that she receives every day as well.
[Photo (c) Wildlife SOS/Atharva Pacharne]
On February 4th, 2025, Bani marked a major milestone, her 1st rescue anniversary with Wildlife SOS! To celebrate, she was treated to a grand fruit feast featuring all of her favourite treats: sugarcane, bananas, watermelon, and a side of peanuts. She showed her excitement with her trunk, which was working to grab as much she could, as quickly as possible! It was a day filled with joy, laughter, and plenty of loud and happy trumpets!
[Photo (c) Wildlife SOS/Atharva Pacharne]
“Sugar, spice and everything nice” — that’s how we can describe our sprightly Bani. Her healing journey is far from over, but every little step she takes forward is a celebration of her resilience. Watching the bubbly and lively one exploring everything around her with a wide-eyed curiosity drives us to bring her more joy. You can also join caring for Bani by becoming her sponsor!
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