'Life of Pi' actor visits Wildlife SOS elephant care centre, bear facility

Adil Hussain, the lead actor of the acclaimed "Life of Pi", on Sunday visited the Wildlife SOS Elephant Conservation and Care Centre here and spent time with the animals. He extended his support to the centre's activities.

An avid animal lover, Adil spent quality time with the rescued elephants at the facility, feeding them fresh fruits and also assisted the staff in giving 'Phoolkali' a bath. This was followed by an interactive session with the elephant veterinarians and elephant care staff who told him about torturous procedures used in training elephants to use them for tourist rides, temple processions etc.

He also visited rehabilitated sloth bears that were once a part of the 'dancing bear' trade, at the Agra Bear Rescue Facility run by Wildlife SOS.

Adil said: "I learnt a lot about the suffering that elephants undergo and I would never endorse elephant rides or use of elephants in any kind of tourism or elephant processions. I fully support Wildlife SOS for the amazing work they do to protect elephants, bears and other wildlife."

Baiju Raj, Director, Conservation Projects of Wildlife, SOS said: "It was a delight to host Adil Hussain and we appreciate his support to the cause of elephant protection. Wildlife SOS is committed to creating a safer place for wildlife across India and change the perception of people towards wildlife to help increase tolerance."

Wildlife SOS is internationally known to have brought an end to the exploitation of sloth bears across India and has rescued over 600 bears from the 'dancing bear' trade. Its centre here is the world's largest Sloth Bear Rescue Facility and currently houses nearly 200 rescued bears.

The organization is currently focused on rescuing and rehabilitating abused elephants from across the country. In 2010, Wildlife SOS established the first of its kind Elephant Conservation and Care Centre, which is currently providing lifetime care and treatment for over 20 rehabilitated animals.

--IANS

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