Maniki, a 48-year-old elephant, has been struggling for years with multiple health issues that made movement increasingly painful. A deformity in her front left leg affected her gait, and over time her condition worsened with infected wounds, dehydration, poor body condition, vision loss in one eye, and general age-related decline.
Her suffering became widely known after a video showed her limping along a highway in Assam while being transported for medical care. The footage triggered strong public concern, with animal welfare supporters and citizens calling for urgent intervention and better treatment.
Following growing appeals, her owner, Ruchi Chetia, approached the Supreme Court appointed committee overseeing the rescue and care of distressed wild animals, requesting that Maniki be shifted to Vantara for specialised long-term treatment. After approvals from the committee and the governments of Assam and Gujarat, she was moved safely to Jamnagar.
At Vantara, Maniki will now receive continuous veterinary care and a structured rehabilitation plan focused on stabilising her condition and improving her comfort. This includes pain management, wound treatment, hydrotherapy, acupuncture, and nutritional support, all designed around her specific medical needs.
Beyond clinical care, her recovery environment will also matter. She will have access to softer ground to reduce pressure on her injured leg, natural water bodies to ease mobility stress, space for natural foraging, and the presence of other elephants to support her wellbeing.
Officials associated with the facility said her condition requires long-term, specialised attention in a controlled care setting, and that the focus will remain on comfort, recovery, and dignity.
Maniki’s journey reflects how coordinated action between individuals, authorities, and welfare systems can change the course of an animal’s life. She now begins a calmer phase of care, aimed at giving her safety, relief, and stability after years of hardship.
