Raju, Free after 50 years of abuse.

His story.

"Raju cried as he was freed from 50 years of cruelty"

Under the cover of darkness a team from London based Wildlife SOS rescued an elephant that had been abused for 50 years.   He was then transported to the Elephant Conservation and Care Center at Mathura, India. He walked free for the first time on July 4, 2014. 
Members believe he was poached when he was a baby.  He had suffered from beatings and painful spiked shackles for all those years.  The owner had made the elephant beg for food, and sometimes  Raju tried to survive by eating plastic and paper. 
A year after hearing of Raju's situation, the team of Wildlife SOS  along with 10 veterinarians, officials and six policemen seized the chained elephant from the Utter Pradesh area of India after receiving a court order. 
"The team was astounded to see tears roll down his face during the rescue." Pooja Binepal, a spokesman for Wildlife SOS said, "It was so incredibly emotional for all of us.  We knew in our hearts he realized he was being freed."
"Until we stepped in he had never known what it is like to walk free of his shackles-it is a truly pitiful case. But today he knows what freedom is and he will learn what kindness feels like and what its like not to suffer anymore." 
The owner, as reported by the Times of India, was a drug addict and attempted to stop the rescue by blocking the road. He tried to provoke the animal and put more chains around his legs. But the rescue team successfully persisted.  Raju calmly stepped into the rescuer's truck as if he knew he was being rescued.  The team had waited until they got to a vet before the shackles were removed as they were designed to cause pain upon attempted removal. 

Since his arrival at the sanctuary, Raju has received medical attention, been given proper baths and food and is well along in the rehabilitation process.

Wildlife SOS then launched a campaign to raise $17,000. to help Raju begin his new life in a new enclosure which would allow him to roam free with other elephants.  "He'll spend the rest of his days living in dignity, free from suffering and pain.

Shortly after the rescue, the abusive owner petitioned the court to regain ownership of the elephant, and it was a struggle,  but the story has a happy ending. See link below.

https://www.change.org/p/keep-raju-the-crying-elephant-free