FROM DECADES OF SUFFERING TO A CHANCE AT COMFORT AND HAPPINESS... PLEASE HELP US GIVE LILLY THE BRIGHT FUTURE SHE DESERVES!
Early in February, we were horrified to learn about a geriatric elephant named Champa, who had been used and abused as a 'begging elephant' to perform at wedding ceremonies and rituals. We found that she had been chained to stand under the hot sun in Ahmednagar (about 120 kms away from Pune) day and night for over 60 days with no fresh food, water, shade, or even a resting mound to lie upon. Not only was she enduring HORRIFYING levels of neglect, but she is also severely arthritic, has multiple lesions and abscess wounds (including one football-sized, fluid-filled blister on her vagina), a fungal skin condition due to not having been bathed for months on end, advanced cataracts in both eyes (she is completely blind in one eye and has barely any vision in the other), painful wounds all over her legs, overgrown nails and completely worn out soles on all four feet, and irreversible spinal deformities due to the arthritis... despite all of these afflictions, she had still been forced to walk on hot tar roads and perform at rituals. When we heard about her condition, we assembed a Rescue Team without a moment's hesitation and travelled to Ahmednagar, lived with Champa in a tent on-site and treated her daily until finally, 3 weeks later, she had finally gained enough strength to be transported to RESQ: to begin her new life FREE of suffering and abuse.
We have named her Liliana (Lilly for short), and her journey ahead is extremely critical... but with YOUR SUPPORT, we hope to give Lilly the best comfort and treatment she deserves!
Right now, Lilly is unable to lie down and rest her weary arthritic legs. Most elephants in captivity rest between 1 hour - 4 hours lying down, which Lilly needs to do but is COMPLETELY unable to. This is because her legs and body no longer have the strength to bear her own weight. Lilly knows that once she lies down to rest she won't be able to stand back up, and this is preventing her from finally resting her tired body. The only solution to this is to be able to build a water pond with a gradual slope for her to get in where she can take the load off her legs to rest. While we are providing her with nutritious food, fresh water to drink and bathe with, laser therapy and medications to help her conditions, the construction of this tank is the only thing that will help her truly rest and have a good chance at recovery.
PLEASE help us help this beautiful, gentle giant who deserves so much more than the misery and suffering of her past! EVERY bit you pledge towards this project will help us ensure that Lilly receives quality treatment and rehabilitation, and that she has the best chance possible at living out a happy and pain-free future.
#HelpLilly by clicking the DONATE button below!