Adah Sharma Visits Wildlife SOS Centres, Promotes Elephant And Bear Conservation Initiatives
Adah Sharma At Wildlife SOS: Critically acclaimed Bollywood actress Adah Sharma recently concluded a three-day visit to Wildlife SOS centers in Agra, where she actively participated in initiatives aimed at elephant and bear conservation. During her visit, Adah had the opportunity to explore the Elephant Conservation and Care Centre, the Agra Bear Rescue Facility, and the Elephant Hospital Campus, gaining first-hand insights into the dedicated efforts of Wildlife SOS in rescuing and rehabilitating animals.
At the Elephant Conservation and Care Centre, Adah delved into the history of rescued elephants housed at the facility. These majestic animals, once subjected to abuse and cruelty, have been provided with a second chance at life, thanks to the relentless efforts of Wildlife SOS. Engaging in informative sessions with the organisation’s team of elephant care experts and veterinarians, Adah gained insights into the critical challenges faced by Asian elephants in India. She also learned about Wildlife SOS’ impactful ‘Refuse to Ride’ campaign, aimed at raising awareness among tourists about the dark reality behind elephant ride attractions in India.
Transitioning her focus to the Agra Bear Rescue Facility, the world’s largest rescue and rehabilitation centre for sloth bears, Adah was exposed to the harsh realities of the ‘dancing’ bear trade in India. Witnessing firsthand how Wildlife SOS has resolved this barbaric practice, she observed the new life given to nearly 100 rescued sloth bears at the rehabilitation centre. Following an orientation session, Adah toured the facility, including the green kitchen, where eco-friendly cooking is carried out onsite for the resident bears. While at the bear facility, she also enjoyed a boat ride on the Yamuna River, where she indulged in bird watching.
Additionally, Adah also visited India’s first Elephant Hospital in Mathura. Here, she learned about the serious health issues faced by captive elephants and witnessed the dedicated efforts of the expert veterinary team in treating injured, sick, and geriatric elephants. During her visit to the hospital, Adah observed Ginger, a senior female elephant, undergoing routine medical treatments and laser therapy.
Adah Sharma said, “Visiting the Wildlife SOS centres has been an enlightening experience. It’s crucial for us, as humans, to cultivate empathy towards animals to combat the daily atrocities inflicted upon our wildlife. I encourage everyone to visit these facilities to witness firsthand the resilience of these rescued animals and to recognise the profound sentience they possess, despite their troubled pasts.”
While at the bear and elephant rescue centres, Adah also participated in various volunteer activities where she distributed porridge and arranged food for the elephants and bears at the facilities. She chopped fruits while making food-based enrichment for female elephant Suzy. She also indulged in building wooden platforms, hammocks, and puzzle feeders as enrichments for the animals, and helped with maintenance of the enclosures at the centres. She concluded her visit with a tree plantation activity and an observational walk with elephants, Maya, Emma and Phoolkali at the Yamuna riverbank.
Kartick Satyanarayan, Co-founder and CEO of Wildlife SOS, said, “Adah’s visit to the Wildlife SOS centres in Agra underscores her commitment to wildlife conservation and advocacy. Through her engagement with the organisation, she has not only deepened her understanding of the challenges faced by elephants and sloth bears but has also amplified the importance of their protection and rehabilitation.”
Geeta Seshamani, Co-founder and Secretary of Wildlife SOS, said, “Adah’s enthusiastic participation in volunteer activities is a powerful demonstration of how celebrities of her stature can use their influence for a greater good. By actively engaging with our initiatives and sharing her experiences with her vast audience, Adah has played a pivotal role in raising awareness about the critical challenges faced by elephants and sloth bears in India.”