Save elephants: British pageant queen

Miss Universe Great Britain 2018 Dee Ann on Thursday appealed to wildlife lovers to protect elephants and support activities for wildlife conservation.

After visiting an elephant rescue centre across the Yamuna river, she said she was extremely happy to meet elephants Asha, Peanut, Coconut and Chanchal. 

"It has been such an honour to come here and see the incredible work Wildlife SOS has been doing to rehabilitate these elephants who have undergone so much cruelty in circuses, temples and even from begging on the streets," she said.

"Here they have a chance to simply be elephants again. I would like to encourage everyone to support Wildlife SOS' wildlife conservation efforts by visiting and volunteering with them or by donating to their cause."

Dee Ann said the purpose of her visit was to extend her support for wildlife conservation and spread awareness about the plight of Asian elephants in India.

The British pageant queen is a model, a qualified barrister and a former athlete who has competed in the Commonwealth Games on two occasions.

Wildlife SOS co-founder Kartick Satyanarayan welcomed Dee Ann and showed her around the centre. She was visibly moved by their painful history. 

Dee Ann later took to her social media account on Instagram sharing images from her visit.

Established in 1995, Wildlife SOS runs the world's largest Sloth Bear rescue centre in Agra and an elephant rescue centre in Mathura.

It is providing lifetime care and treatment for over 20 rehabilitated elephants, rescued from illegal captivity and circuses where they were ill-treated and subjected to cruelty.-IANS