14 DAY TRIAL // PETA is happy to announce that, this April 8, a court ordered the immediate release of an abused elephant by the name Sunder. The animal is expected to soon be taken to a wildlife sanctuary, where it will hopefully remain for the rest of its life.
Sunder's story first made headlines back in 2012. At that time, green group PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) revealed that the animal was being beaten, chained, and starved by folks at the Jyotiba Temple in Kolhapur.
The elephant's life touched numerous hearts, and lots of people, including Pamela Anderson and Paul McCartney, demanded that Sunder be freed and sent to a sanctuary without delay.
Both in August and in November, high officials in India ordered the people at the Jyotiba Temple in Kolhapur to say goodbye to Sunder, and send the pachyderm to a refuge.
However, a PETA investigation whose findings were shared with the public in last year's December revealed that, instead of being taken to a sanctuary, Sunder was hidden inside a shed and was still being abused and beaten by its handlers.
The organization once again brought the case to court, and, by the looks of it, has finally prevailed. Thus, PETA claims that the Honorable Bombay High Court has ruled in its favor, and that, should all go well, Sunder will shortly be released.
“PETA India is now calling on Maharashtra Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife) Sarjan Bhagat to implement the court's order quickly, before Sunder can be harmed again,” the organization writes on its website.
Presently, Sunder is still held captive. However, you can be sure that, when it is finally freed, you will learn about it here.