Actor Ashmit Patel plays Santa to animals

In a heartwarming Christmas celebration, Indian actor, DJ, and animal lover Ashmit Patel visited Wildlife SOS centres in Agra, spreading festive joy to rescued elephants, sloth bears, and the dedicated caregivers. The special occasion, which saw Ashmit play the role of a ‘secret Santa’ brought smiles to the faces of both the animals and their caretakers.

The day began with a guided tour of Wildlife SOS’ Elephant Conservation and Care Centre (ECCC), the Elephant Hospital, and the Agra Bear Rescue Facility (ABRF). Ashmit actively participated in preparing treats for the animals, assisting the caregivers by cutting fruits and other goodies. Later, he joined in decorating the Christmas tree, adding colorful stars and ribbons that filled the space with holiday cheer.

Donning a Santa cap, Ashmit personally packed gift boxes filled with fruits, nuts, and other treats, and placed them under the Christmas tree. As evening fell, he delivered the surprises to elephants Emma, Maya, and Phoolkali during their evening walks. The elephants were clearly delighted by the unexpected treats, while the sloth bears at ABRF eagerly devoured their gifts with great curiosity and joy.

Reflecting on the day, Ashmit also took time to interact with the caregivers, including Baburam ji, who cared for Suzy, an elephant in mourning after the death of an older female. Together, they watched the touching Wildlife SOS film My Sweet Paro. “It’s been an incredible experience,” Ashmit said. “I came with certain expectations, but after visiting the Wildlife SOS centres, they have far exceeded them. The work being done here to conserve wildlife and create awareness about these wonderful animals is truly remarkable”.

Wildlife SOS centres across India also marked the holiday season. The Manikdoh Leopard Rescue Centre in Maharashtra, the Bannerghatta Bear Rescue Centre in Bangalore, and the Dachigam Rescue Centre in Jammu & Kashmir all participated in the heartwarming tradition of sharing Christmas joy with their animals.