For an elephant living with long-term mobility problems, recovery can involve much more than treating an immediate injury. Physical rehabilitation, specialised foot care, nutrition and opportunities for natural movement can all play a role in improving an animal’s condition.Madhuri, an elephant who had been living at Nandani Math in Kolhapur, Maharashtra, for more than three decades, is now returning to the state after spending over a year at Vantara in Jamnagar for specialised medical care and rehabilitation, according to information provided by Vantara.

<h2>Why did Madhuri need specialised care?</h2>

According to Vantara, Madhuri was brought to its facility with advanced arthritis, chronic foot rot and significant mobility problems. The organisation said the conditions had developed over years of restricted movement and prolonged exposure to hard concrete surfaces. Vantara also said that extended tethering in chains had limited Madhuri’s natural movement and contributed to joint stiffness and reduced mobility. The elephant was reportedly still being used during festivals and public processions, including walking long distances on hot asphalt while restrained.

Madhuri the elephant on her journey to recovery and a better life

<h2>What treatment did Madhuri receive?</h2>

At Vantara, under the guidance of Anant Ambani, Madhuri was placed under the care of a multidisciplinary team that included veterinarians, caregivers, nutritionists and behavioural specialists. The treatment and rehabilitation programme, according to Vantara, included hydrotherapy, laser therapy, targeted nutrition and specialised foot care. Her condition was also monitored continuously during the rehabilitation period.The care was not limited to her physical health. At Vantara, Madhuri showed a strong desire to interact and form bonds with other elephants in a safe and enriching environment as part of her social and behavioural rehabilitation. This social companionship played an important role in her healing, helping her regain emotional stability and a sense of security after years of restricted movement and captivity.<h2>Why is Madhuri returning to Maharashtra?</h2> Madhuri’s return follows an assessment by the Supreme Court-appointed High Powered Committee (HPC), which reviewed her improved health condition, according to Vantara. The necessary approvals and transit permits have also been granted for her transfer from Gujarat to Maharashtra. She will travel in a specially equipped elephant ambulance accompanied by Vantara’s veterinary and care team. Anant Ambani ensured that Madhuri received comprehensive medical treatment and rehabilitation at Vantara.The transfer is being described as a return for continued medical care rather than a permanent relocation. According to Vantara, Madhuri will remain in Maharashtra for further recovery and treatment. Once she is considered medically fit, she is expected to return to her natural habitat. The case also comes as Vantara has proposed establishing three wildlife veterinary care centres in Assam, including a dedicated facility for elephants. The organisation said the centres are intended to function independently under the Assam Forest Department. Madhuri’s journey highlights the role of long-term veterinary care and rehabilitation in addressing mobility and health problems in captive elephants, while her return to Maharashtra marks the next stage of her recovery.&nbsp;

For an elephant living with long-term mobility problems, recovery can involve much more than treating an immediate injury. Physical rehabilitation, specialised foot care, nutrition and opportunities for natural movement can all play a role in improving an animal’s condition.

For an elephant living with long-term mobility problems, recovery can involve much more than treating an immediate injury. Physical rehabilitation, specialised foot care, nutrition and opportunities for natural movement can all play a role in improving an animal’s condition. Madhuri, an elephant who had been living at Nandani Math in Kolhapur, Maharashtra, for more than three decades, is now returning to the state after spending over a year at Vantara in Jamnagar for specialised medical care and rehabilitation, according to information provided by Vantara.

For an elephant living with long-term mobility problems, recovery can involve much more than treating an immediate injury. Physical rehabilitation, specialised foot care, nutrition and opportunities for natural movement can all play a role in improving an animal’s condition.

From severe mobility problems to recovery: Madhuri the elephant’s journey of wildlife care

A wild elephant attacked a bus carrying air force personnel in Kirinda, a town in Sri Lanka. The elephant smashed through the vehicle's front windshield and passenger door glass. The incident occurred on June 23, 2026, in the island's southern province. The bus sustained structural damage, while no injuries were reported.&nbsp;Similar incidents were reported earlier in Sri Lanka. In June, a video circulated showing a wild elephant completely flipping a passenger van on its side, and it started raiding it for fruits and food supplies. Another wild elephant attacked a minivan near Yala National Park, lifting it and tearing a door off while searching for snacks after passengers attempted to feed it.Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/sspx-pope-leo-xvi-bishop-consecrations-1782476872428">Traditionalist Catholics reject Pope Leo XVI and Vatican authority in a dramatic showdown</a>The attack by Wild Animal to forest boundaries is common in Sri Lanka. Experts suggest this is particularly due to the reduced habitat of wild animals, and further, people aggravate the aggression by offering food while passing by. This makes these animals associate food with vehicles, leading them to approach and attack vehicle on not recieving treats.&nbsp;

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">ਜਦੋਂ Elephant ਨੇ ਫੌਜੀਆਂ ਦੀ ਬੱਸ ਉੱਤੇ ਹਮਲਾ ਕਰ ਦਿੱਤਾ <a href="https://x.com/hashtag/Elephant?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Elephant</a> <a href="https://x.com/hashtag/srilanka?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#srilanka</a> <a href="https://t.co/Mv0rzMQfzw">pic.twitter.com/Mv0rzMQfzw</a>&mdash; BBC News Punjabi (@bbcnewspunjabi) <a href="https://x.com/bbcnewspunjabi/status/2070481292701925403?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 26, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.x.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

A wild elephant smashed the windshield of a bus carrying Sri Lankan Air Force personnel in Kirinda, highlighting the country's growing human-elephant conflict.

A wild elephant attacked a bus carrying air force personnel in Kirinda, a town in Sri Lanka. The elephant smashed through the vehicle's front windshield and passenger door glass. The incident occurred on June 23, 2026, in the island's southern province. The bus sustained structural damage, while no injuries were reported. Similar incidents were reported earlier in Sri Lanka. In June, a video circulated showing a wild elephant completely flipping a passenger van on its side, and it started raiding it for fruits and food supplies. Another wild elephant attacked a minivan near Yala National Park, lifting it and tearing a door off while searching for snacks after passengers attempted to feed it. Also Read: Traditionalist Catholics reject Pope Leo XVI and Vatican authority in a dramatic showdown The attack by Wild Animal to forest boundaries is common in Sri Lanka. Experts suggest this is particularly due to the reduced habitat of wild animals, and further, people aggravate the aggression by offering food while passing by. This makes these animals associate food with vehicles, leading them to approach and attack vehicle on not recieving treats.

A wild elephant smashed the windshield of a bus carrying Sri Lankan Air Force personnel in Kirinda, highlighting the country's growing human-elephant conflict.

Watch: Wild elephant attacks Air Force bus in Sri Lanka, passengers escape unhurt

In the Indian state of Assam, where human-elephant encounters have become increasingly dangerous, a new mobile app called Haati has been launched to help reduce the number of fatalities arising out of incidents involving wild elephants.&nbsp;

Assam, which is known for its large elephant population, as per reports, has been grappling with rising incidents where both humans and elephants have been killed. The reason behind this is the shrinking habitat&nbsp;and encroachment on the animals' natural corridors.

<h2 bis_size="{&quot;x&quot;:8,&quot;y&quot;:152,&quot;w&quot;:723,&quot;h&quot;:26,&quot;abs_x&quot;:41,&quot;abs_y&quot;:1838}">Haati app</h2>

As per BBC, the Haati app will serve as an early warning system, alerting people when wild elephants are nearby, so they can take necessary precautions and get out of the way.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a bis_size="{&quot;x&quot;:83,&quot;y&quot;:247,&quot;w&quot;:404,&quot;h&quot;:16,&quot;abs_x&quot;:116,&quot;abs_y&quot;:1933}" href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/indian-cop-suspended-for-demanding-5-kg-potatoes-as-bribe-749125">Indian cop suspended for demanding '5 kg potatoes' as bribe</a>

The app does more than just warn people. It also includes a feature where victims or their families can fill out a form to apply for compensation from the government in cases of injury or death due to elephant attacks.

The app has been developed by Aaranyak, a biodiversity organisation in northeast India, in response to the alarming number of deaths caused by these encounters.

It was officially launched on August 10 and has been developed with backing from the SBI Foundation.

Bibhuti P. Lahkar, the head of the Elephant Research and Conservation Division of Aarankak, as quoted by The Hindu, said, "The app will contain the ex gratia application form against damages caused due to depredation by wild elephants."

"We will submit the filled-up ex gratia application form to the forest division concerned on behalf of the victims of human-elephant conflicts to compliment the Assam Forest Department's efforts to pay compensation," he added.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/bangladeshi-man-on-fake-indian-passport-trying-to-flee-to-thailand-held-at-lucknow-airport-749132">Bangladeshi man on fake Indian passport trying to flee to Thailand held at Lucknow airport</a>

<h2 bis_size="{&quot;x&quot;:8,&quot;y&quot;:548,&quot;w&quot;:723,&quot;h&quot;:26,&quot;abs_x&quot;:41,&quot;abs_y&quot;:2234}">Human-elephant conflicts</h2>

Between 2020 and 2024, encounters with wild elephants were responsible for the deaths of 1,701 people across India, as reported by the Hindustan Times.

These encounters hurt both humans and animals. According to the WWF, less than 50,000 Asian elephants are left in the wild in India.

In addition to the app, Aaranyak has introduced a handbook on solar-powered fences, a tool proven effective in keeping elephants away from human settlements. The handbook, written in Assamese, provides detailed guidance on installing, managing, and maintaining these fences. According to the organisation's spokesperson, the British Asian Trust and the Darwin Initiative support the creation of this handbook.

(With inputs from agencies)

In the Indian state of Assam, where human-elephant encounters have become increasingly dangerous, a new mobile app called Haati has been launched to help reduce the number of fatalities arising out of incidents involving wild elephants.

In the Indian state of Assam, where human-elephant encounters have become increasingly dangerous, a new mobile app called Haati has been launched to help reduce the number of fatalities arising out of incidents involving wild elephants. Assam, which is known for its large elephant population, as per reports, has been grappling with rising incidents where both humans and elephants have been killed. The reason behind this is the shrinking habitat and encroachment on the animals' natural corridors. Haati app As per BBC, the Haati app will serve as an early warning system, alerting people when wild elephants are nearby, so they can take necessary precautions and get out of the way. Also read | Indian cop suspended for demanding '5 kg potatoes' as bribe The app does more than just warn people. It also includes a feature where victims or their families can fill out a form to apply for compensation from the government in cases of injury or death due to elephant attacks. The app has been developed by Aaranyak, a biodiversity organisation in northeast India, in response to the alarming number of deaths caused by these encounters. It was officially launched on August 10 and has been developed with backing from the SBI Foundation. Bibhuti P. Lahkar, the head of the Elephant Research and Conservation Division of Aarankak, as quoted by The Hindu, said, "The app will contain the ex gratia application form against damages caused due to depredation by wild elephants." "We will submit the filled-up ex gratia application form to the forest division concerned on behalf of the victims of human-elephant conflicts to compliment the Assam Forest Department's efforts to pay compensation," he added. Also read | Bangladeshi man on fake Indian passport trying to flee to Thailand held at Lucknow airport Human-elephant conflicts Between 2020 and 2024, encounters with wild elephants were responsible for the deaths of 1,701 people across India, as reported by the Hindustan Times. These encounters hurt both humans and animals. According to the WWF, less than 50,000 Asian elephants are left in the wild in India. In addition to the app, Aaranyak has introduced a handbook on solar-powered fences, a tool proven effective in keeping elephants away from human settlements. The handbook, written in Assamese, provides detailed guidance on installing, managing, and maintaining these fences. According to the organisation's spokesperson, the British Asian Trust and the Darwin Initiative support the creation of this handbook. (With inputs from agencies)

Assam launches mobile app 'Haati' to reduce human-elephant conflict, and resulting deaths

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