Winter isn’t winter, if you aren’t all snuggled up into your own version of a blanket burrito, with some hot chocolate to keep you company. The weather has only been getting colder, more so in the nights, and that’s just down here in South India. North India on the other hand is nearly hitting freezing point, which automatically makes it (multiple) sweater weather. While this rule ideally only applies to humans, it appears the elephants in Mathura are slowly contesting this rule.
The Wildlife SOS Elephant Conservation and Care Centre is home to several elephants who have been rescued from cruel, abusive owners. Although their size tends to make people assume that they’re resistant to cold weather, elephants do still feel the chill. In fact, the cold can lead to pneumonia or worsen their arthritis, said centre officials, in this Times Of India report.
Villagers from the area have banded together to knit the elephants woolen jackets, besides the blankets that the elephants are given to huddle under. It isn’t an easy task to take up, considering their size (elephants are the largest mammals on land). One sweater takes approximately three to four weeks to stitch! That hasn’t stopped these lovely ladies from putting together colourful ensembles for the elephants, who look more than pleased with their new threads.
As of now, only a few elephants have received their very own set of woolen pajamas, that cover their neck, back, belly, and legs. If you’d like to not be irrelephant and contribute to their cause, you can visit their website here.
If you liked this article, we suggest you read: