At 45-years-old, Kalpana the elephant is celebrating her first year of freedom at the Wildlife SOS Elephant Conservation and Care Centre in Mathura, northern India.

Heartwarming footage from Tuesday (March 2) shows veterinarians and elephant care-takers at Wildlife SOS prepare a special "cake" made from pulses and vegetables.

Kalpana was found blind and abandoned by her owner without food or water in the city of Firozabad after escalating medical issues left her unable to work.

Geeta Seshamani, Co-founder and Secretary of Wildlife SOS said, “As we celebrate Kalpana’s first rescue anniversary, we are delighted to witness her amazing journey of recovery.

"Elephants are incredibly social animals and Kalpana’s friendship with the other elephants has had a positive influence on her, both physically and emotionally.”

Dr. Yaduraj Khadpekar, Assistant Director of Wildlife SOS, said, “As part of her on-going treatment, Kalpana is undergoing laser therapy sessions for her osteoarthritis and her toenail abscess is regularly cleaned and dressed with antiseptic and anti-inflammatory ointments. We are also providing her with supplements to help boost her immunity and build inner strength.”

Kalpana’s 2019 rescue was brought to the attention of millions after Bollywood superstar Amitabh Bachchan posted about the animal on social media.

45-year-old KALPANA, previously a begging elephant, is celebrating a year of freedom at the Wildlife SOS Elephant Conservation & Care Centre in Mathura! Kalpana’s rescue in 2019 was brought to the attention of millions after Bolly-wood superstar Amitabh Bachchan posted about her on social media.
A partially blind and exhausted Kalpana would walk for hours endlessly, begging for alms on busy highways. In 2019, She was found abandoned by her owner in the middle of the night without food or water in Firozabad, Uttar Pradesh, when escalating medical issues left her unable to work long hours. Forest Department and Wildlife SOS rescued Kalpana and brought her to the Elephant Hospital in Mathura.
Years of neglect and abuse had left her with chronic osteoarthritis, uneven and cracked footpads and abscesses. She was put on a strict and nutrition rich diet of greens, fruits, mul-tivitamins and nutrient supplements and received regular treatment by a team of expert vete-rinarians. She was also introduced to two newly rescued elephants Holly and Karma; the three have formed an inseparable bond.
To celebrate Kalpana’s rescue anniversary, the veterinarians and elephant care-takers at Wildlife SOS prepared a special ‘cake’ , made out of cooked pulses and vegetables. It was heart-warming to watch Kalpana and her companions blissfully enjoying their delicious sur-prise!

National Geographic Wild went behind the scenes to cover Kalpana’s rescue journey with Wildlife SOS, which is part of a 6 episode TV Show— “India’s Jungle Heroes”. Kalpana’s rescue will premiere on 10th April, Friday at 9:00 pm on Nat Geo Wild channel in India.
Kartick Satyanarayan, Co-founder & CEO of Wildlife SOS, said, “Kalpana’s story high-lights the condition of all the captive elephants in India who are beaten, chained, starved and kept in terrible conditions in temples, circuses and are used to beg on the streets, for wed-dings or giving joy rides to tourists. We are grateful to the UP forest department who played a huge role in Kalpana’s rescue and National Geographic Wild for helping us bring her story, and our message, to the forefront.”
Geeta Seshamani, Co-founder & Secretary of Wildlife SOS said, “As we celebrate Kal-pana’s first rescue anniversary, we are delighted to witness her amazing journey of recovery. Elephants are incredibly social animals and Kalpana’s friendship with the other elephants has had a positive influence on her, both physically and emotionally.”
Dr Yaduraj Khadpekar, Assistant Director - Veterinary and Research, Wildlife SOS, said, “As part of her on-going treatment, Kalpana is undergoing laser therapy sessions for her osteoarthritis and her toenail abscess is regularly cleaned and dressed with antiseptic and anti-inflammatory ointments. We are also providing her with supplements to help boost her immunity and build inner strength.”