Suzy, a 74-year-old visually impaired elephant residing at the Elephant Conservation and Care Center (ECCC) operated by Wildlife SOS, celebrated the completion of her 9th year of freedom. Suzy's journey to freedom wasn't easy, given her visual impairment, making this milestone a ray of hope for every elephant still forced to entertain people due to their pain.
Suzy's story, saved from the harsh realities of circus life in Andhra Pradesh, is filled with compassion. For 60 crucial years, this completely blind elephant endured captivity, faced unspeakable cruelty, and was compelled to perform painful and trivial acts for people's entertainment. However, nine years ago, Suzy's life changed forever when the Wildlife SOS team stepped in to free her from her past.
Since arriving at the Wildlife SOS rehabilitation center in 2015, Suzy has undergone remarkable physical and emotional transformations. With dedicated care from specialized geriatric care and committed caregivers, she stands out as the oldest elephant among all the residents at the Elephant Conservation and Care Center.
Due to her advancing age, Suzy receives special care, including regular pedicures and a balanced diet with herbal oil massages to aid her blood circulation. Being blind in both eyes, Suzy is ensured comfort and safety by those dedicated to her well-being.
Dr. Ilaiyaraaja, Deputy Director of Veterinary Services at Wildlife SOS, mentioned, "Recently, as part of our winter care management, Suzy is also receiving massages with warm herbal oils to assist her proper blood circulation, along with a balanced diet enriched with essential nutrients and supplements."
Kartick Satyanarayan, Co-founder and CEO of Wildlife SOS, expressed, "As Suzy completes her 9th year of freedom, it's a significant milestone for Wildlife SOS. Understanding Suzy's pain during her 60 years of captivity is challenging. We have put in rigorous efforts to save her from that suffering. Suzy is now free and living a life filled with love and care."
Geeta Seshamani, Co-founder and Secretary of Wildlife SOS, stated, "Suzy's life is now filled with compassion and care. Our team at the Elephant Conservation and Care Center ensures that Suzy receives proper attention. She gets a healthy diet, and her fruits are smashed under her feet before eating, which we affectionately call 'Suzy Smoothie.'"
Baiju Raj M.V., Director of Conservation Projects at Wildlife SOS, added, "Suzy is completely blind and toothless, which is why she follows a special diet. Her fruits are mashed to make it easy for her to eat, and we call it the 'Suzy Smoothie.'"