McCartney Says: Free Abused Elephant

By China DeSpain Freeman, Ecorazzi

When it comes to helping animals in need, nothing stands in Sir Paul McCartney‘s way — not even Olympic rehearsals.

The Beatle was in London practicing for his performance at the Games when he learned about the plight of an abused elephant in India. McCartney immediately stopped his rehearsal and sent a plea to the Indian Forest Minister, asking him to secure the release of a young pachyderm named Sunder.

In his letter, McCartney wrote, “I have seen photographs of young Sunder, the elephant kept alone in a shed at Jyotiba Temple and put in chains with spikes. Years of his life have been ruined by keeping him and abusing him in this way and enough is enough. I most respectfully call on you … to get Sunder out.”

Evidently Sunder has been kept in deplorable conditions for quite some time. PETA India says that the elephant has sustained a severe eye injury from being jabbed with a hooked poker, is covered in lesions from past abuse, and is kept alone in a dark shed, with no light or room to take even a single step. The elephant’s handler is now on the run from authorities.

Sadly, this type of abuse is becoming all too common. According to PETA India, many elephants are kept in small concrete pens where they are unable to move and must stand in their own excrement.

“Frequently controlled through beatings and prodded and gouged in sensitive areas behind their knees and ears with an ankus, they languish without veterinary care for even serious conditions, sustain leg injuries and are fed unsuitable food. Many elephants at Indian temples also show signs of severe psychological distress, such as swaying, head-bobbing or weaving – behaviour not found in healthy elephants in nature,” reads the website.

For more information on the plight of Sunder and other Indian elephants, including how to help, head over to the PETA India site.

Image credit: PETA

Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of
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Yvette S.

5:57AM PDT on Sep 11, 2012

Signed! I hope,i hope,i hope FREE SUNDER!!!!!!

September 11
send a green star

Lynn D.

1:25AM PDT on Aug 27, 2012

That poor little elephant, thank you Sir Paul!

August 27
send a green star

Heather h.

11:20AM PDT on Aug 26, 2012

Thank you, Sir Paul.

August 26
send a green star

Sandra P.

10:37AM PDT on Aug 26, 2012

signed noted and shared and a special thank you to Sir Paul

Marie-Anne P.

3:20AM PDT on Aug 20, 2012

Signed petition. Free Sunder.

August 20
send a green star

Artie T.

9:03AM PDT on Aug 19, 2012

I believe it makes a big difference when celebrities speak out against the abuse of animals. There are more and more celebrities doing that and of course Sir Paul has been doing that for a very long time. There isnt any excuse on Earth for the way this elephant is being treated. His owner or handler should be put in prison.

August 19
send a green star

Yulan L.

2:54PM PDT on Aug 15, 2012

I saw the video, which is really hard to watch, but I need to know the truth. Thanks Paul for your support.

August 15
send a green star

Angela J.

7:58AM PDT on Aug 15, 2012

Petition signed!! How can people substantiate such cruelty to animals....it makes me ashamed sometimes to be part of the human race.

Barbara E.

6:37AM PDT on Aug 15, 2012

Noted and Thanx for post :-0 Already signed petition !!!...

Lisa P.

10:36PM PDT on Aug 13, 2012

Signed.They cannot keep treating animals this way - surely the day has come when the last animal is freed from the iron chains of circuses! No civilised person wants to sit and watch an animal being made to do stupid tricks at a circus, not when they know how mistreated they were to get there!