Alice Joan
This is the touching story of two elephants who have finally been given a chance at freedom after being locked up for over 50 years.
Meet Mia and Sita, two sisters who have lived extremely difficult lives, until now. They were forced to entertain crowds at the circus and perform tricks against their will.
Thanks to the kind people at Wildlife SOS, a wildlife conservation group from India, this torture has finally come to an end.
The sisters were moved to the Elephant Conservation and Care Center, a place where the pair can live the rest of their lives in peace.
After a long 1,200-mile trek to the sanctuary, the pair looked ill and tired, they were littered with wounds and needed to be seen.
Wildlife SOS wrote on Facebook: “Both Mia and Sita have very painful feet. For Sita, her situation is exacerbated by the fact that she has a poorly healed fracture in her front leg that has limited her movement… thus preventing her the ability to lie down and rest.”
Their treatment will include “warm foot soaks, swimming, exercise on natural soft surfaces, medicine, a specialized diet and lots of rest”.
As Sita stepped into a cool, clean pool for the first time ever, Mia just collapsed on the floor in relief!
“While we don’t know when Mia was last given permission to do this, it’s clear that it’s something she’s needed to do for a long time.”
“An elephant’s daily rest is necessary, but they are frequently denied of this need when they are chained on the front and rear legs. This was Mia’s situation!”
Happier than ever, the pair are getting used to their newfound freedom!
“They seem so much happier immediately. It’s almost as if they anticipate a nicer life ahead of them, one in which they will no longer be compelled to perform in circuses — a life in which their hurting and pained joints would receive the rest and treatment they need.”