The Family

Six elephants. Six rescue stories.

Lakshmi, Champa, Moti, Priya, Rani, Shanti. Each one came from a different chapter of the Indian tourism industry. Here's how they ended up safe — and how your visit keeps them that way.

Before you meet them

Names, not numbers.

Most sanctuaries hide their elephants behind a brand and a brochure. We won't — because the only thing tourism elephants need more than your visit fee is your attention. Read each story before you come. Notice which one you're most drawn to. We'll introduce you on the day.

Resident · 42 years

Lakshmi

Lakshmi spent 22 years carrying tourists up Amer Fort's ramp, eight trips a day in summer heat. When her back began curving from the saddle weight, the operator was going to retire her to a circus. We negotiated her release in 2017 with help from a wildlife NGO. The first month at the sanctuary she refused to lie down — she'd been forced to sleep standing for so long she'd forgotten how. Today she paints with mahouts and is the first to greet new guests.

Rescued from

Amer Fort tourist rides (2017)

Personality

Calm, food-motivated, loves bananas more than life itself

Fun fact: She recognizes the sound of a sugarcane truck arriving and trumpets within seconds.

Resident · 28 years

Champa

Champa was 'trained' as a calf using methods we won't describe here — the kind that scars an animal for life. She came to us malnourished, with chronic foot infections from concrete circus pens. Two years of vet care and 6 acres of soft earth later, she finally lets strangers near her. Some days she's social; some days she keeps her distance. We respect both. You'll meet her on her terms.

Rescued from

A traveling circus in Madhya Pradesh (2019)

Personality

Shy with new visitors, fiercely bonded with her mahout

Fun fact: She paints intricate patterns on visitor foreheads — slower and more deliberate than the others. The mahouts say she's the artist of the group.

Resident · 19 years

Moti

Moti spent his early years parading in wedding processions across Rajasthan — heavy decoration, loud music, late nights, no shade. When his owner died and the family wanted to sell him to a temple, we stepped in. The transition was easy: he was young, curious, and trusting. Today Moti is the youngest of the group and the unofficial mascot. Watch your phone — he likes to investigate them with his trunk.

Rescued from

Wedding processions in Jodhpur (2021)

Personality

Playful, mischievous, will steal bananas if you're not watching

Fun fact: He has learned that splashing visitors during the bath gets the loudest laughs. He does it on purpose now.

Resident · 35 years

Priya

Priya was a temple elephant for 26 years — chained on a concrete platform, performing blessings on tourists for tips. She came to us with chronic joint problems and severe vitamin deficiency. It took 18 months of physiotherapy before she could walk without limping. Today she's the matriarch of the group; the younger elephants defer to her in everything. If a child is part of your visit, Priya is who you'll spend most time with — she's exceptionally gentle.

Rescued from

An overworked temple in Tamil Nadu (2018)

Personality

Maternal, gentle with children, slow to anger but unforgettable when she is

Fun fact: She has a soft trumpet she only uses for kids — none of the mahouts can explain it.

Resident · 31 years

Rani

Rani was used in illegal logging operations in the foothills of Assam — work that ended in 2018 when the operation was raided. She came to us severely underweight, with rope scars on her ankles. Eighteen months of recovery and a mountain of fresh fodder later, she's our healthiest elephant. She's also the smartest: she figured out how to open her stable's latch in week three. Now we use a child-proof lock.

Rescued from

Illegal logging camp in Assam (2020)

Personality

Strong-willed, intelligent, the problem-solver of the group

Fun fact: She can identify each of her 4 mahouts by the sound of their footsteps from 50 meters away.

Resident · 24 years

Shanti

Shanti was used as a street-blessing elephant in Mumbai — handlers walked her through traffic, asking for donations from car windows. She'd been hit by vehicles three times. A documentary filmmaker spotted her in 2021 and helped fund her rescue. She's our newest arrival, still settling in. The mahouts say she gets a little better with strangers each month. Be patient with her — she may keep her distance the first 15 minutes, but she'll come around.

Rescued from

Begging on Mumbai streets (2022)

Personality

Quiet, observant, takes a while to warm to strangers but loyal once she does

Fun fact: She lifts her trunk and 'waves' when she recognizes a kind voice. Mahouts say it's her way of saying hi.

Now you've met them

Come spend a morning with them.

Your visit fee — every dollar — funds their food, vet care, and the mahouts who look after them.

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