Saving India’s Wildlife: Buddies for Paws Partnership with Wildlife SOS

Who

Buddies for Paws is proud to partner with Wildlife SOS, one of India’s most respected wildlife rescue and conservation organisations.

Founded in 1995, Wildlife SOS began with a single mission: to end the cruel “dancing bear” trade. They rescued hundreds of sloth bears from captivity, providing them with care and safe homes where they could finally live in peace.

Today, their work goes far beyond bears. Wildlife SOS protects elephants, leopards, tigers, snakes, birds, and countless other species across India. They rescue wildlife in distress, restore habitats, run world-class veterinary care facilities, and work with communities to educate and create lasting change.

“With our wide range of facilities and projects, Wildlife SOS is in a unique position to care for individual animals as well as improve conditions for an entire species. We work closely with authorities and communities through programs and education in an effort to make a lasting change for the animals and people.” — Geeta Sheshami, Co-Founder of Wildlife SOS

What Wildlife SOS Does

Wildlife SOS takes a holistic approach to conservation, combining rescue, rehabilitation, education, and advocacy.

Their elephant rescue and sanctuary programme saves elephants from abusive tourism, begging, and other exploitative industries. At their Elephant Conservation and Care Centre in Mathura, rescued elephants receive expert veterinary care, nutritious food, and the freedom to roam and socialise.

Their bear rehabilitation work has ended the dancing bear tradition in India, giving sloth bears, Asiatic black bears, and Himalayan brown bears lifelong sanctuary in safe, spacious habitats.

They also rescue big cats, including leopards and Bengal tigers, often injured or orphaned through habitat loss, poaching, or human–wildlife conflict. Many are saved from human-made situations such as open well falls or road accidents.

Beyond this, Wildlife SOS has five rescue hotlines in various areas of India, and their rescue teams work to protect a huge range of animals, from civet cats, antelopes, and monkeys to owls, eagles, peacocks, vultures, flamingos, and snakes.

Conservation is at the heart of everything they do. They restore and protect habitats, plant native trees, close open wells, and rewild areas to give wildlife a safe future. They also run anti-poaching initiatives, research projects, and training programmes for local communities and authorities.

Meet Bani, Our Sponsored Elephant

As part of our partnership, Buddies for Paws proudly supports Bani, a young elephant whose extraordinary survival story has touched our entire community.

At just nine months old, Bani was struck by a speeding train while crossing railway tracks with her herd. She was left badly injured, orphaned, and unable to stand. The Wildlife SOS rescue team rushed to her aid, providing immediate treatment and beginning the long process of recovery.

Since arriving at the Elephant Hospital Campus, Bani has received round-the-clock care, including hydrotherapy, physiotherapy, acupuncture, and a carefully tailored diet to help her regain strength. The team even created a specially designed padded harness to support her as she learned to stand and walk again.

Despite her injuries, Bani hasn’t lost her playful spirit. She loves mud and water baths, splashing herself and even her unsuspecting caregivers with a bucket of water always kept nearby. Her carers constantly create new activities and toys to enrich her life and enhance her recovery, from custom-made elephant toys to problem-solving games, encouraging her to exercise, play, and build her strength while also supporting her mental wellbeing.

“We love the energy and unique fundraising efforts that have come forth with our partnership with BONK and Buddies for Paws. Not only has the partnership brought in valuable resources to support Bani’s treatments, but it has also brought awareness of the plight of India’s elephants to a whole new audience of animal lovers. We look forward to sharing all things Bani with everyone as she grows up.” — Lavanya Raju, Director of Smart Giving, Wildlife SOS

Thanks to donations from our generous community and BONK’s 100% donation match, Buddies for Paws helps fund Bani’s care, from food to therapies, giving her the best chance at a full and happy life. We’ll continue to share updates on her progress so you can follow her journey every step of the way.

Impact

Wildlife SOS has transformed the future for wildlife in India:

• Ended the dancing bear trade, rescuing over 600 sloth bears
• Rescued more than 50 elephants from abuse and neglect
• Responds to around 500 wildlife rescue calls every month
• Operates 12 rescue and rehabilitation centres nationwide
• Protects habitats through large-scale restoration projects

Every one of these numbers represents lives saved and species protected.

How Buddies for Paws Helps

When you donate through Buddies for Paws, you directly support:

• Medical care, food, and sanctuary for elephants like Bani
• Wildlife rescues and emergency responses
• Education programmes to reduce human–wildlife conflict
• Habitat restoration and anti-poaching work

And with BONK matching every donation 100%, your impact is instantly doubled.

Help Support Wildlife SOS

We’re proud to stand with Wildlife SOS in giving animals like Bani a second chance at life.

Here’s how you can help:

• Donate through Buddies for Paws — BONK will 100% match your gift
• Follow Bani’s journey on Instagram and X for updates from the field
• Sign up for our newsletter to hear more rescue stories

Together, we can make sure India’s elephants, bears, and all wildlife have the safety, space, and respect they deserve.