At the Wildlife SOS Elephant Conservation and Care Center in India, the elephants saved from situations of abuse and exploitation are receiving very special help to deal with harsh winter temperatures of Northern Uttar Pradesh: giant hand-knitted sweaters.
The cold wave, with temperatures dropping to 5-6 degrees Celsius, makes it necessary extra protection for these pachyderms, often weakened by the harsh conditions experienced in the past. For this reason, a group of women from local villages came together to create unique garments, made to measure for the largest land mammals.
Every sweater requires weeks of work and up to 4 kilos of wool to be completed. Despite the complexity of the project, the knitters do not save on creativity, creating colorful and welcoming garments which, in addition to protecting from the cold, transmit a message of love and care towards these animals.
As winter sets in across #India, #WildlifeSOS has adopted unique measures to keep our elephants cozy and warm. Here you…
Posted by Wildlife SOS on Wednesday, December 19, 2018
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The making process is not without challenges: some elephants, like Maya, they appear reluctant to wear sweatersrequiring special attention to respect their comfort and preferences. Despite the difficulties, many elephants have already received their sweaters, while others will be protected with warm blankets until the next items are completed.
This initiative, led by Wildlife SOS, not only provides relief to the animals, but also benefits the local community. The women who participate in the project are often wives of former Kalandarsa group traditionally associated with bear training, a practice that is now outlawed. Through knitting, these women find a way to support their families financially and contribute to a meaningful cause.
In addition to protecting elephants from the cold, the initiative helps to prevent health problems such as arthritis and pneumoniaconditions aggravated by low temperatures. Kartick Satyanarayan, co-founder of Wildlife SOS, emphasizes the importance of treating these animals with compassion and dignity, considering the trauma they have suffered in the past.
#IncredibleIndia. Villagers knit jumpers for Indian elephants to protect the large mammals from near-freezing temperatures. From Mathura. Pic by Roger Allen. Wildlife SOS
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