Photos: India’s first elephant hospital in Mathura draws cheers and tourists

Elephants are an important part of India's culture and are prominently displayed in festivals and processions in the south of the country. They are also used as tourist attractions at several forts and palaces in the northern and western regions. India's first hospital for elephants, opened last week in the Hindu holy town of Mathura, is spread over 12,000 square feet and is designed to treat injured, sick or geriatric elephants. The hospital, on the banks of the Yamuna River, is close to an elephant conservation and care centre run by Wildlife SOS that is home to 22 elephants.

Updated on: Nov 20, 2018 9:43 AM IST

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An elephant sprays dust outside the Wildlife SOS Elephant Hospital in Mathura. The facility, which opened last week is India’s first hospital for elephants, equipped with facilities such as wireless digital X-Ray, thermal imaging, ultrasonography, tranquilization and quarantine facilities. It comes not just as aid to elephants but is also drawing tourists. (Anushree Fadnavis / REUTERS)

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A general view of the hospital. Inaugurated on Friday in the Hindu holy town of Mathura in Uttar Pradesh, the facility is spread over 12,000 square feet and is designed to treat injured, sick or geriatric elephants. (Anushree Fadnavis / REUTERS)

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Vets take an X-ray of Phoolkali, a female elephant’s leg. Elephants are an important part of India’s culture and are prominently displayed in festivals and processions in the country’s south. They are also used as tourist attractions at several forts and palaces in the north and western regions. (Anushree Fadnavis / REUTERS)

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An X-ray image seen on a monitor. While elephants are revered as a cultural and religious symbol in India, they are also ill-treated by unschooled mahouts and often fall victim to electrocution, poaching, train accidents and poisoning, animal rights activists say. (Anushree Fadnavis / REUTERS)

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A vet takes a blood sample from Suzy, a female elephant, at the hospital. “I think by building a hospital we are underlining the fact that elephants need welfare measures as much as any other animal,” said Geeta Seshamani, co-founder of Wildlife SOS. (Anushree Fadnavis / REUTERS)

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Vets treat 49-year old Asha, a wounded female elephant. Government data shows India’s elephant population fell to 27,312 in 2017 from 29,391-30,711 in 2012. Hundreds of elephants across India, which accounts for more than half of Asia’s elephant population, are held in captivity with shackles and hooks often used to break them into subordination. (Anushree Fadnavis / REUTERS)

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Maya, a female elephant, is pictured in an enclosure. The hospital, on the banks of the Yamuna River, is close to an elephant conservation and care centre run by Wildlife SOS that is home to 22 elephants. (Anushree Fadnavis / REUTERS)

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A handler feeds an elephant. Elizabeth Ritson, a tourist visiting the centre from Australia, said she was glad there was now a dedicated hospital for elephants in India. (Anushree Fadnavis / REUTERS)

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A handler bathes Coconut, a female elephant, at the Wildlife SOS Elephant Conservation and Care Center. “Look at them, they are so much happier and when you see the abuse that they have been through, the horrible shackles that were put on their feet and to see them all healed up, it’s just really nice,” Ritson said. (Anushree Fadnavis / REUTERS)