Special diet, oil massages for elephants to brave the chill

With the onset of winter, special arrangements have been made for the care of elephants at the Chaudhary Surinder Singh Elephant Rehabilitation Centre (ERC) in Ban Santoor, Yamunanagar district. The centre, operated by the Haryana Forest Department in collaboration with Wildlife SOS, houses four female elephants — Chanchal (82), Laxmi-I (62), Lilli (49), and Laxmi-II (41).

Special diets and massages with sesame oil are being provided to protect the elephants from the cold.

Chanchal’s daily menu

100 kg chopped grass

250 gm desi ghee

100 gm chyawanprash

500 gm boiled black grams

15-20 kg cooked concentrate

30 kg vegetables

20 kg fruit

About the centre

- Spread over 50 acres in Ban Santoor, Yamunanagar

- Houses four female elephants — Chanchal, Laxmi-I, Lilli, and Laxmi-II

- Operated by Haryana Forest Department & Wildlife SOS

“Chanchal, the oldest elephant here, requires extra care due to her age and dental issues, which make chewing difficult. She is fed 100 kg of chopped soft grass daily, along with 250 gm desi ghee, 100 gm chyawanprash, 500 gm boiled black grams, 15-20 kg cooked concentrate, 30 kg vegetables and 20 kg fruit,” said Lilu Ram, Wildlife Inspector, Yamunanagar.

The other three elephants — Laxmi-I, Lilli, and Laxmi-II — also receive a carefully curated diet, including 250 kg green fodder, 5 kg fruit, 15 kg vegetables, and 6 kg cooked concentrate per day for each elephant.

Chanchal and Laxmi-I have been residents of the centre since April 2013, Lilli joined in October 2014, and Laxmi-II arrived in 2019. The 50-acre centre, equipped with a natural water pond for mud baths, allows the elephants to roam freely and enjoy a natural habitat.

“Our elephants enjoy freedom in the jungle all day and are well cared for to ensure their health and comfort,” added Lilu Ram.

Ashish Batura, coordinator of the Elephant Rescue Centre and Manager at Wildlife SOS, highlighted the centre’s mission. “The ERC aims to rehabilitate elephants that are rescued from abuse, illegal custody or poor conditions. We provide high-level veterinary care, enrichment and treatment to restore their health and ensure their welfare,” he said.