Mia and Sita are two 50 year old female elephants who have spent most of their lives abused and in chains as part of an Indian circus in Tiruvannamalai.

But, after a 1300 mile trek in an “elephant ambulance” across the country to the Elephant Conservation and Care Center, their lives of chains and abuse are now miles behind them.

These two rescued elephants will be filling their future days with fresh papaya, mud baths, and soaks in a cool pool for soaking their tired and overworked bodies, with plenty of room to roam.

Geeta Seshamani, co-founder of Wildlife SOS, said, “The rescue of these two elephants brings the number of circus elephants in India down to 60 from 67 in 2014, when Wildlife SOS launched its campaign to rescue all the circus elephants in the country. ”

It is a very happy new year for these two gentle giants, with many happy years to come, thanks to Wildlife SOS’s commitment to the elephants of India.

Read more here about Mia and Sita’s journey to freedom