Raju the elephant faces return to life of abuse as former owner demands him back

HIS story broke hearts worldwide, but it appears Raju the crying elephant’s ordeal may not be over yet.

JUST two months ago, Raju the elephant wept as he was freed after 50 years in chains.

But now he faces being sent back to his abusive former owner in the Uttar Pradesh region of India.

Wildlife SOS, the organisation that rescued Raju, has revealed that “the cruel person who denied him even the most basic comforts” has filed court papers to get the elephant back.

The tale of the Raju’s release in July touched the hearts of animal lovers all over the world.

Covered in hundreds of wounds from chains and spikes used to tame him, Raju needed immediate veterinary attention.

Raju in a truck on his way to freedom

He was emaciated from lack of food and dehydration, and had been made to beg on the street.

The owner had a history of employing mahouts (elephant riders) who mistreated and beat Raju.

At first, medics kept him out of the water to allow him to heal, but he was soon splashing around and socialising with other elephants at the Wildlife SOS centre.

The organisation said last month that it was helping him to walk and build up his strength.

Wildlife SOS obtained legal custody of Raju from the Uttar Pradesh Forest Department before rescuing him in a nighttime operation backed by law enforcement authorities.

But Mr Shahid claims Raju is his property and belongs to him.

Raju the elephant, after his release with a reformed former mahout Sonu Ali at the sanctuary.

“We are disheartened to learn that we have to fight once again for Raju’s freedom,” said Kartick Satyanarayan, co-founder of Wildlife SOS.

“We sincerely hope the Uttar Pradesh Forest Department and the courts prosecute Mr Shahid for his illegal act and find him guilty.

“This will set a precedent across India and will change the way elephants are treated, that abusers will be punished and justice will be served.”

The wildlife organisation is submitting a response that explains why Mr Shahid was never the legal owner of Raju and did not have any legal documents to substantiate his ownership claim.

Raju is freed from his shackles by Wildlife SOS head vet Dr Yaduraj Khadpekar.

On September 11, the case is going to the High Court in Allahabad, the highest legal appellate authority in the state of Uttar Pradesh.

At the time of his rescue, Raju was near death. He was emaciated, dehydrated and exhausted. Despite his frailness, he was forced to beg on the streets and was being kept in spiked chains.

His case will be heard on September 11.

To sign a petition to keep Raju free or donate to Wildlife SOS’s elephant legal fund, visit their website here.

Raju enjoys a bath at the wildlife centre.