Vigil4Elephants
@vigil4elephants.bsky.social
We hold an annual vigil to remember captive elephants that have passed away in zoos, circuses, sanctuaries, temples and tourist attractions. #Vigil4Elephants #CaptivityKills #DontRideElephants #DontBuyATicket [email protected]
December 10, 2025 at 1:17 PM
we call it a “Century of Labor.”
We are relieved to know that she had 22 years to just enjoy her life as an elephant, free of all duties.
RIP Vatsala. We honor you for your tenacious, loyal, kind, and resolute spirit, even during the hard and difficult periods in your
We are relieved to know that she had 22 years to just enjoy her life as an elephant, free of all duties.
RIP Vatsala. We honor you for your tenacious, loyal, kind, and resolute spirit, even during the hard and difficult periods in your
December 10, 2025 at 1:17 PM
we call it a “Century of Labor.”
We are relieved to know that she had 22 years to just enjoy her life as an elephant, free of all duties.
RIP Vatsala. We honor you for your tenacious, loyal, kind, and resolute spirit, even during the hard and difficult periods in your
We are relieved to know that she had 22 years to just enjoy her life as an elephant, free of all duties.
RIP Vatsala. We honor you for your tenacious, loyal, kind, and resolute spirit, even during the hard and difficult periods in your
a popular tourist attraction and in her later years, Vatsala faced challenges such as a broken toenail and lost eyesight, which made long-distance walking difficult.
The Tiger Reserve calls Vatsala's remarkable life a “Century of Grace.” For those of us who shun the world of exploited elephants,
The Tiger Reserve calls Vatsala's remarkable life a “Century of Grace.” For those of us who shun the world of exploited elephants,
December 10, 2025 at 1:17 PM
a popular tourist attraction and in her later years, Vatsala faced challenges such as a broken toenail and lost eyesight, which made long-distance walking difficult.
The Tiger Reserve calls Vatsala's remarkable life a “Century of Grace.” For those of us who shun the world of exploited elephants,
The Tiger Reserve calls Vatsala's remarkable life a “Century of Grace.” For those of us who shun the world of exploited elephants,
Tiger Reserve states that her long life is a “testament to her enduring spirit and significant contributions for wildlife conservation in India.” Even after retirement, she continued to nurture younger elephants, acting as a grandmother figure to calves and a leader within the elephant herd. She was
December 10, 2025 at 1:17 PM
Tiger Reserve states that her long life is a “testament to her enduring spirit and significant contributions for wildlife conservation in India.” Even after retirement, she continued to nurture younger elephants, acting as a grandmother figure to calves and a leader within the elephant herd. She was
is not known what her life was like there, but in 1993, she was transferred to the Panna Tiger Reserve where she spent the rest of her long life.
At the Tiger Reserve, her job was to track tigers for conservation purposes, which she faithfully did until she retired in 2003 at 80 plus years old. The
At the Tiger Reserve, her job was to track tigers for conservation purposes, which she faithfully did until she retired in 2003 at 80 plus years old. The
December 10, 2025 at 1:17 PM
is not known what her life was like there, but in 1993, she was transferred to the Panna Tiger Reserve where she spent the rest of her long life.
At the Tiger Reserve, her job was to track tigers for conservation purposes, which she faithfully did until she retired in 2003 at 80 plus years old. The
At the Tiger Reserve, her job was to track tigers for conservation purposes, which she faithfully did until she retired in 2003 at 80 plus years old. The
forest to live out your life as a wild elephant. May you now roam safe and free. #RIPKochaiyappan #Vigil4Elephants #V4E
December 9, 2025 at 1:43 PM
forest to live out your life as a wild elephant. May you now roam safe and free. #RIPKochaiyappan #Vigil4Elephants #V4E
the camp says it uses only humane methods, training and interactions with staff and tourists are not part of any wild elephant's experience, and they can add more stress to their already traumatized lives.
RIP Kochaiyappan. We are sad that you were not able to return to your family and home in the
RIP Kochaiyappan. We are sad that you were not able to return to your family and home in the
December 9, 2025 at 1:43 PM
the camp says it uses only humane methods, training and interactions with staff and tourists are not part of any wild elephant's experience, and they can add more stress to their already traumatized lives.
RIP Kochaiyappan. We are sad that you were not able to return to your family and home in the
RIP Kochaiyappan. We are sad that you were not able to return to your family and home in the
elephants can carry the virus, but they are unlikely to die from it. EEHV is common in captive held elephants, usually fatal, and may be linked to the stress associated with captivity. The baby elephants at the camp undergo training in order to be amenable to control by their handlers. Even though
December 9, 2025 at 1:43 PM
elephants can carry the virus, but they are unlikely to die from it. EEHV is common in captive held elephants, usually fatal, and may be linked to the stress associated with captivity. The baby elephants at the camp undergo training in order to be amenable to control by their handlers. Even though
Though it is commendable that this camp rescues abandoned elephants, it unfortunately relocates many of them to zoos or religious temples where they are chained, often beaten and forced to perform in rituals and parades. Nine elephants have died at this camp, two from the deadly EEHV
virus.
Wild
virus.
Wild
December 9, 2025 at 1:43 PM
Though it is commendable that this camp rescues abandoned elephants, it unfortunately relocates many of them to zoos or religious temples where they are chained, often beaten and forced to perform in rituals and parades. Nine elephants have died at this camp, two from the deadly EEHV
virus.
Wild
virus.
Wild
Kochaiyappan was rescued as a baby elephant on August 19, 2021, after falling into a canal near the Kochandi checkpost in the Goodrickal Forest Range. The staff at Konni attempted to find his herd but was unable to do so, so he spent his short life at the camp with four other rescued elephants.
December 9, 2025 at 1:43 PM
Kochaiyappan was rescued as a baby elephant on August 19, 2021, after falling into a canal near the Kochandi checkpost in the Goodrickal Forest Range. The staff at Konni attempted to find his herd but was unable to do so, so he spent his short life at the camp with four other rescued elephants.
roam safe and free in their homelands. RIP Jamba, we will remember the wild and free life that was your birthright. #RIPJamba #Vigil4Elephants #V4E
December 8, 2025 at 1:06 PM
roam safe and free in their homelands. RIP Jamba, we will remember the wild and free life that was your birthright. #RIPJamba #Vigil4Elephants #V4E
autonomy and social opportunities required for a meaningful elephant life, and finally dying an early and painful death. This is no life for an elephant or anyone.
Dear Jamba, you did not deserve this life of exploitation and suffering. Our hope is one day we will honor the right of all wildlife to
Dear Jamba, you did not deserve this life of exploitation and suffering. Our hope is one day we will honor the right of all wildlife to
December 8, 2025 at 1:06 PM
autonomy and social opportunities required for a meaningful elephant life, and finally dying an early and painful death. This is no life for an elephant or anyone.
Dear Jamba, you did not deserve this life of exploitation and suffering. Our hope is one day we will honor the right of all wildlife to
Dear Jamba, you did not deserve this life of exploitation and suffering. Our hope is one day we will honor the right of all wildlife to
Jamba was confined in a zoo with two female African elephants, Axé, and her mother Beré, who died of infection in 2021. Axé is now alone.
Jamba’s story epitomizes the horrors of captivity: stolen from family & home, forced to live on public display for human amusement and profit, denied the space,
Jamba’s story epitomizes the horrors of captivity: stolen from family & home, forced to live on public display for human amusement and profit, denied the space,
December 8, 2025 at 1:06 PM
Jamba was confined in a zoo with two female African elephants, Axé, and her mother Beré, who died of infection in 2021. Axé is now alone.
Jamba’s story epitomizes the horrors of captivity: stolen from family & home, forced to live on public display for human amusement and profit, denied the space,
Jamba’s story epitomizes the horrors of captivity: stolen from family & home, forced to live on public display for human amusement and profit, denied the space,
have lived within his mother’s herd until about the age of 13. At that time, he would have ventured out to join older bull elephants who would mentor the young male. It is a myth that male elephants are solitary. They live in loose bachelor herds and also interact with the female groups. Instead,
December 8, 2025 at 1:06 PM
have lived within his mother’s herd until about the age of 13. At that time, he would have ventured out to join older bull elephants who would mentor the young male. It is a myth that male elephants are solitary. They live in loose bachelor herds and also interact with the female groups. Instead,
where he died prematurely on June 26, 2025, at the age of 29. The cause of death was inflammation in his right forelimb which negatively impacted his ability to walk. Arthritis and other joint diseases are common outcomes of captivity and, as with Jamba, are often fatal.
In the wild, Jamba would
In the wild, Jamba would
December 8, 2025 at 1:06 PM
where he died prematurely on June 26, 2025, at the age of 29. The cause of death was inflammation in his right forelimb which negatively impacted his ability to walk. Arthritis and other joint diseases are common outcomes of captivity and, as with Jamba, are often fatal.
In the wild, Jamba would
In the wild, Jamba would
December 7, 2025 at 2:07 PM
your own terms, surrounded by family, in your natural home. Instead, you suffered for human amusement and profit your entire life.
RIP Burma, our candles burn in your honor and for the life that should have been yours. In your memory, may we respect the right
RIP Burma, our candles burn in your honor and for the life that should have been yours. In your memory, may we respect the right
December 7, 2025 at 2:07 PM
your own terms, surrounded by family, in your natural home. Instead, you suffered for human amusement and profit your entire life.
RIP Burma, our candles burn in your honor and for the life that should have been yours. In your memory, may we respect the right
RIP Burma, our candles burn in your honor and for the life that should have been yours. In your memory, may we respect the right
including Burma, is unknown. Two were poisoned by minerals, and one died possibly from anesthesia. In April 2017, six elephants died from food poisoning. This tragic list of senseless death illustrates the fact that elephants do not thrive in zoo captivity.
Dear Burma, you deserved to live life on
Dear Burma, you deserved to live life on
December 7, 2025 at 2:07 PM
including Burma, is unknown. Two were poisoned by minerals, and one died possibly from anesthesia. In April 2017, six elephants died from food poisoning. This tragic list of senseless death illustrates the fact that elephants do not thrive in zoo captivity.
Dear Burma, you deserved to live life on
Dear Burma, you deserved to live life on
Spain, a drive-through zoo attraction. The cause of death is unknown but surely related to the hardships of a lifetime on public display in conditions that did not meet her needs.
Of the fifteen elephants on record who died at the Seville Exotic Animal Reserve, the cause of death for six of them,
Of the fifteen elephants on record who died at the Seville Exotic Animal Reserve, the cause of death for six of them,
December 7, 2025 at 2:07 PM
Spain, a drive-through zoo attraction. The cause of death is unknown but surely related to the hardships of a lifetime on public display in conditions that did not meet her needs.
Of the fifteen elephants on record who died at the Seville Exotic Animal Reserve, the cause of death for six of them,
Of the fifteen elephants on record who died at the Seville Exotic Animal Reserve, the cause of death for six of them,
himself & those around him and start his emotional journey to freedom before taking the steps in his physical one. We will cherish the little glimpses he shared of the version of him that he hid deep inside decades ago, but that we all knew was the beautiful true him.” #RIPTamy #Vigil4Elephants #V4E
December 6, 2025 at 1:19 PM
himself & those around him and start his emotional journey to freedom before taking the steps in his physical one. We will cherish the little glimpses he shared of the version of him that he hid deep inside decades ago, but that we all knew was the beautiful true him.” #RIPTamy #Vigil4Elephants #V4E
remembered for the sweet disposition that would sometimes shine through the rougher exterior in moments he felt safe enough to let his guard down. While his passing speaks to the legacy of captivity, his life was more than his situation and surroundings. He was a sweet boy who was trying to trust in
December 6, 2025 at 1:19 PM
remembered for the sweet disposition that would sometimes shine through the rougher exterior in moments he felt safe enough to let his guard down. While his passing speaks to the legacy of captivity, his life was more than his situation and surroundings. He was a sweet boy who was trying to trust in