Circus Elephant Collapses With Joy When She Learns That She Is Finally Free

by pawbuzz on in Animals 132

Two circus elephants named Sita and Mia spent 50 years in captivity, living their entire lives in chains. But thanks to Wildlife SOS, the two elephants have been rescued and are experiencing their first freedom at an elephant sanctuary in India.


Photo credit: Wildlife S.O.S. / Facebook

After years of being confined to chains the two elephants’ feet were in poor shape. “Both Mia and Sita have very painful feet. For Sita, her situation is exacerbated by the fact that she has a poorly healed fracture in her front leg that has limited her movement… thus preventing her the ability to lie down and rest,” writes Wildlife S.O.S on Facebook. We know it has been at least a year since she has lay down and slept.”

The two will be tended to by expert veterinarians and get some much needed therapy on their feet. This will include “warm foot soaks, swimming, exercise on natural soft surfaces, medicine, a specialized diet and lots of rest”.

Soon, the two elephants made a long journey by truck to get to their new home. Wildlife S.O.S. was concerned about how well Sita was going to tolerate the long journey, but she surprised them. Along the way, Sita showed her excitement by waving her trunk happily to people passing by from the truck.


Photo credit: Wildlife S.O.S. / Facebook

After a journey of 1,200 miles, the two elephants finally arrived at the Elephant Conservation and Care Center in Mathura.

It sure looks like they are smiling during their first few steps, chain-free.


Photo credit: Wildlife S.O.S. / Facebook

Sita entered a pool of water for the very first time on her first day at her new home. “Although she is now over 50, we believe this was her first time ever getting to swim,” the organization says.


Photo credit: Wildlife S.O.S. / Facebook

And Mia lay down, something she had not done in a a very long time. “This picture shows one of our happiest moments. Shortly after arriving at the rescue center, Mia lay down and went into a deep sleep,” Wildlife S.O.S. writes.


Photo credit: Wildlife S.O.S. / Facebook

“While we don’t know when exactly Mia was last allowed to do this, it’s clear that this is something she has needed to do for a long time. Daily rest is essential for an elephant, but very often they are deprived of this necessity when they are chained on the front and back legs. This was the case with Mia.”


Photo credit: Wildlife S.O.S. / Facebook

The two elephants are loving their newfound freedom. They are happily sharing a dust bath together….


Photo credit: Wildlife S.O.S. / Facebook

Meeting other elephants…


Photo credit: Wildlife S.O.S. / Facebook

And enjoying tasty treats. It must be like heaven to them.


Photo credit: Wildlife S.O.S. / Facebook

“Mia and Sita seem so much happier already,” Kartick Satyanarayan, co-founder of Wildlife SOS, said in a press release. “It’s almost like they sense they are going to get a happier life where they will not be forced to perform in circuses anymore – a life where their aching and painful joints will get the rest and the care they deserve.”

If you are interested in learning more about Wildlife S.O.S. and helping them care for Mia, Sita and the other rescue elephants at their sanctuary, visit their website.

Share Mia and Sita’s rescue story with your family and friends!



132 thoughts on “Circus Elephant Collapses With Joy When She Learns That She Is Finally Free”

  6. Julie Arnold

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    Absolutely adore elephants. Such intelligent and sentient creatures. I abhor the way that mankind treats the animal kingdom. 50 years in pain is hard to comprehend as that’s my age. I really hope they enjoy the remaining years of their life in freedom and knowing that there are humans who are capable of compassion, and who respect these wonderful creatures for what they are. So ashamed of the human race but so in love with the rest of the animal kingdom!

  14. Bernie Odoherty

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    O no o no why o why o the poor poor elephants it’s sad o sad why people dont understand there are like people this goes for all animal’s they just dont like abuse or neglect left with no dignity just live a life of misery etc etc..people need to be educated…animals have hearts to how be soo cruel to them.god bless them god bless animals who are suffering. X. Im so sad..

  15. Patricia D Kimbell

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    It always brings happy tears now when I see these wonderful animals enjoying freedom for the first time in their lives. Meanwhile, so-called “big Hunters” are killing off these wonderful giants in the wild calling it sport! Has to stop. How can grown men and women be so stupid and cruel…Idiots….

  17. Janice Quade

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    Finally she is free from abuse!! All animals deserve better than being in a Circus and receiving cruel treatment! We stopped taking our kids to the circus when they were toddlers! They never did like the circus anyway!!

  24. Charity Tropp

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    Poor babies. Glad they were finally rescued and able to live a much better life. Breaks my heart and angers me how some humans can be so cruel, callous and evil towards any innocent animal.

  36. Donna Muston

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    Why are there so many people in this world that treat animals unfairly they don’t ask to be treated like this they you so much love whether it’s a dog ,cat or elephant I just adore elephants they are gentle giants

  45. Annette Rutledge

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    So wonderful that a creature has freedom like God intended know she’s happy poor thing hope she lives a long time and is around others like hr so she won’t be lonely they are pack animals and love each other

  50. Halley Kelly

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    Awww beautiful ,after years of being in the same position with the chains ,on the last picture they still stand in that same stance of front leg out and back stretched …so sad free them all I say

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