Following on from our article at the end of 2015 - see http://www.chronicle.lu/categoriesluxembourgabroad/item/14945-luxembourg-resident-on-crusade-to-save-the-elephants - Luxembourg residents Teresa Bastian and Michelle Folmer returned to India in April to be there for the resturn of the elephant Rhea and reunite her with her two sisters which had previously been rescued, by Wildlife SOS.
When the organisation rescued circus elephants Mia and Sita last autumn, they also had wanted to save their "sister" Rhea. Sadly, there were several legal complications that prevented them from doing so. While the organisation was reluctant to separate this bonded herd, in the end, they decided that Mia and Sita needed urgent help and that the opportunity to save them might never come again... or might come too late.
They vowed to themselves, and silently to Mia and Sita, that one day they would be back to rescue their sister Rhea. And in March-April that time came. Wildlife SOS near Agra in India became actively involved in fund-raising to save the third of three elephants.
Rhea is 54 years old, and has been performing in the circus for more than 45 years! She has significant problems with her feet, an altered gait, and is growing progressively more lame.
Bringing her home, and securing her future, cost approximately $110,000. They initially secured a $10k pledge from A Hand to Give, which was a great start. The goal was then to raise the remaining $100,000. Those willing to donate and help reunite this family were able to do so do so at https://donatenow.networkforgood.org/1432730.
Teresa Bastian and Michelle Folmer talked with The Luxembourg Chronicle and explained "On our visit to Wildlife SOS in December, we heard about Rhea, the sister of Mia (42) and Sita (56) 2 circus elephants that had already been rescued in November 2015 from a circus in Tamil Nadu, now happily living a chain free life at SOS. Rhea was chained up in a dark shed alone and rumour has it that her owners had planned to sell her to a temple, where she would have spent the rest of her live tethered. Although we were made aware at this point that our $10,000 could not completely fund Rhea's rescue as a result of the legal issues involved, we nevertheless agreed to donate the $10,000 on our next visit in March 2016."
They went on to relate "The $10,000 was then used to get the ball rolling and also to encourage others to donate towards Rhea's freedom. We were hoping for Rhea to be handed over in March when we were there; however, this was not the case and her final release papers were signed 2 weeks later. Rhea's journey was then 2,000 km and took 6 days on the back of the Wildlife SOS elephant ambulance. She was accompanied the SOS vet Dr Gochalan, Rhea Lopez, an amazing 22 year-old girl who has proven to be a significant new addition to the SOS team, Kartick Satyanarayan (Founder) and 6 mahouts and drivers. On her journey to freedom, Rhea was taken off the ambulance to stretch her legs and have a lay down when needed, giving the others the chance to clean the ambulance and stock her up with nourishing foods and fresh water. Finally, after 6 long days the team arrived in Mathura at the Wildlife SOS centre. Rhea was reunited with her sisters and the story ends with the ladies living happily ever after."
In total, Wildlife SOS havs now rescued 22 elephants.
To find out more about their projects please join us on www.facebook.com/groups/1790326031200093/, www.facebook.com/ahandtogive and www.wildlifesos.org.
