Wildlife SOS shared a video of Bani, an Asian elephant rescued at nine months old after a 2024 train collision, enjoying a festive Christmas meal as part of her rehabilitation. The collision left her with serious spine, hip and leg injuries; she now receives long-term care at the Elephant Hospital Campus in Uttar Pradesh. The organisation staged a decorated feast — complete with staff dressed as Santa and banana wreaths — to celebrate elephants who have been rescued and are thriving under care. Bani’s recovery highlights the group’s focus on rescue, rehabilitation and dignity for animals.
Rescued Infant Elephant Bani Enjoys Festive Feast After Surviving Train Collision
Wildlife SOSBani enjoying her holiday feast.
Wildlife SOS shared a heartwarming video showing Bani, a female Asian elephant they rescued as an infant, enjoying a decorated Christmas feast as part of her ongoing rehabilitation.
From Devastating Injury to Holiday Joy
Bani was found abandoned beside railway tracks in 2024 at just nine months old after a speeding train struck her. The collision caused major injuries to her spine, hips and legs and left her unable to walk initially. Rescuers brought her to Wildlife SOS's Elephant Hospital Campus in Uttar Pradesh, India, where she remains under long-term care and has steadily regained strength.
Celebration Captured On Video
In the holiday footage shared by Wildlife SOS, Bani happily eats melon, bananas and green fodder from a small decorated table topped with red and silver stars. Two staff members dressed as Santa presented the meal, and banana wreaths and other seasonal decorations were hung above her enclosure to create a festive atmosphere.
Enthusiasm grips the staff of Wildlife SOS as they share their love with the elephants in their care and prepare a feast for the gentle giants.
Care, Dignity And Ongoing Rehabilitation
Wildlife SOS explained that the holiday event was meant to honor elephants who were once injured, exploited or displaced and are now thriving under long-term care. Bani — the organisation's first infant elephant under their care, named to evoke Mother Earth — has shown resilience and determination throughout rehabilitation.
Wildlife SOSBani with her Wildlife SOS caretakers and her beautiful holiday feast.
The organisation also highlighted other rescues: Vayu, a severely malnourished male who arrived in 2025; Arya, a female brought in 2020 who is blind in both eyes; and Walnut, rescued from a circus in 2015. For each animal, Wildlife SOS documents recovery progress, favourite foods and daily enrichment activities.
Bani's favourites include bananas and green fodder, and she enjoys lying in the sun and taking dust baths. Wildlife SOS posts photos and videos of Bani across social platforms, where followers have responded with warm and supportive comments.
The video caption on YouTube reflected the seasonal spirit: 'December brings the shortest days of the year, peace, good food, festivities and cherished time with friends and family. It’s a time to appreciate kindness, generosity and of course, freedom.' The post emphasized the staff’s enthusiasm in preparing the feast and celebrating the elephants under their care.
Wildlife SOS’s work at the Elephant Hospital Campus focuses not only on emergency rescues but also on long-term rehabilitation and the everyday care that allows animals to recover dignity and live safer, more comfortable lives.
