Bangalore:
Sunder, a temple elephant in Maharashtra might have been tortured for his entire life but a recording of his abuse has helped to free him.
This elephant has survived abuse that no animal should. He was chained and beaten and it would have continued if not for the launch of a massive campaign backed by international celebrities like Paul McCartney and Pamela Anderson to set him free.
He was mistreated at a temple in Maharashtra by his mahout and later abused when he was kept locked up in a poultry shed.
But Sunder has now been rescued and taken to the Bannerghatta Biological Park, outside of Bangalore.
Dr Sunil Kumar, a vet who accompanied the elephant said the biggest concern was a swelling on his leg caused by years of continuous chaining.
He made the long journey of 680 kms from Kolhapur to Bangalore by road in a truck and arrived at the park early on Friday morning.
Dr Manilal Vaniyatte, from the People for Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) which spearheaded the campaign told NDTV, "We came from Kolhapur and we had to take breaks in between. Sunder also enjoyed the journey. Bannerghatta Biological Park has been kind enough to take him as a new resident and he has 13 other elephants for company."
The director of Sunder's new home, Range Gowda, says he will be safe and cared for here. He told NDTV, "We have given an undertaking and will maintain him for the rest of his life now. But it will take a few months before he recovers fully. "
Sunder's new life will begin now and we hope that his biggest challenge going ahead will be how to get a jackfruit in his mouth.