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Triana

(22,666 posts)
Tue Dec 2, 2014, 11:11 PM Dec 2014

Raju the weeping elephant officially declared FREE!

Earlier this year, the story of an elephant named Raju touched the hearts of many people around the world. After 50 years of suffering and exploitation at the hands of his owner in India, Raju shed tears as volunteers from the group Wildlife SOS freed him from painful shackles.

But that was only the beginning of Raju’s bid for freedom. Not long after Wildlife SOS intervened and relocated him to a sanctuary, the man who kept the elephant chained, launched a legal battle claiming that Raju was his rightful property.

A legal team from Wildlife SOS fought “tooth and nail” to ensure Raju’s freedom, bolstered by a petition on Change.org which garnered a whopping 467,000 signatures from supporters around the globe. And on Tuesday, India’s Allahabad High Court ruled in Raju’s favor — officially declaring him free to live out his days in peace on the grounds of the sanctuary among elephants just like himself.

“We are all very excited and happy,” Suvidha Bhatnagar of Wildlife SOS told The Dodo by phone. “It’s the greatest news.”



THE REST:

https://www.thedodo.com/raju-weeping-elephant-now-free-853726312.html
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Raju the weeping elephant officially declared FREE! (Original Post) Triana Dec 2014 OP
kick 840high Dec 2014 #1
that is wonderful Beringia Dec 2014 #2
How long ago was that picture taken? Brigid Dec 2014 #3
Here's a more recent pic Recursion Dec 2014 #15
He certainly looks happy. Brigid Dec 2014 #16
Huzzah! shenmue Dec 2014 #4
Please post in LBN Omaha Steve Dec 2014 #5
Done... Triana Dec 2014 #9
kick. glad u started this thread Liberal_in_LA Dec 2014 #6
Live long Raju...live long. Historic NY Dec 2014 #7
oh my god. I am so happy. There is good in this world. roguevalley Dec 2014 #8
May this magnificent animal live a long, happy and healthy life - Marie Marie Dec 2014 #10
K&R!! G_j Dec 2014 #11
Great news (nt) Recursion Dec 2014 #12
YaY! SammyWinstonJack Dec 2014 #13
Poor thing. lonestarnot Dec 2014 #14
Kick! ReRe Dec 2014 #17

Marie Marie

(9,999 posts)
10. May this magnificent animal live a long, happy and healthy life -
Wed Dec 3, 2014, 12:39 AM
Dec 2014

In freedom. I share his tears of joy.

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