On 9th December, 2004, 6-year-old elephant, Veda was doomed. In an effort to improve diplomatic ties with Armenia, the powers in New Delhi had decided to gift an Indian elephant to the Yerevan Zoo. The one selected was Veda, a native of Karnataka. She was to be a partner to a 10 year-old male elephant called Grand, in Armenia. Animal activists in Bangalore were horrified.

Veda lived in the Bannerghatta Biological Park, roaming the open hillsides in the warm company of a typical elephant herd that included her mother and grandmother. Elephants have strong family ties and relationships that last decades. From this comfortable life, she was going to be transported to a cramped zoo, where winter temperatures went down to -14 degrees C.

CUPA (Compassion Unlimited Plus Action) swung into action. Led by Suparna Ganguly, director of CUPA, an application was filed in court to keep Veda in Bangalore! The courts had obviously never been approached in such a tussle…that involved two consenting governments! And a 'baby' that was a couple of tons in weight! The case was dismissed in March 2005.

But CUPA was not prepared to give up. This gutsy NGO began making preparations to move the Supreme Court to save Veda.
 also contacted a UK-based animal rights organisation called the Born Free Foundation.

AN INTERNATIONAL DIPLOMATIC MISSION

People from Born Free visited the Yerevan zoo and provided proof that the severe climate and crammed elephant enclosure would be cruel for an elephant that roamed relatively freely. In London, they protested outside the Indian and Armenian embassies! And to Armenia, they even offered to find 10-year-old Grand another bride!

All authorities were petitioned and bombarded with appeals and requests. CUPA took the help of innumerable wildlife experts and enthusiasts to build up their case to prove Veda needed to be left just where she was. PFA (People for Animals) also pitched in with their support, spreading the word amongst school children who rose to Veda's defence. Even they marched across the city, protesting Veda's impeding emigration!

CUPA also appealed to the US organisation, Best Friends, who started out a signature campaign to keep Veda free. Veda's story seemed to have melted the hearts of those across the world, being reported even by the BBC.

THE PRIME MINISTER INTERVENES

Finally, after months of suspense, the news came in from Delhi…Veda was safe. On 17th March, 2005, the National Wildlife Board, chaired by the Prime Minister, passed the verdict that not only would Veda NOT be sent to cold Armenia, but in future, the gifting of animals between one head of state to another would be banned!

CUPA's efforts had saved not just this 6-year-old baby elephant, but also secured the future of many other animals native to this warm country…now, we only need to worry about whether poor 10-year-old Grand, shivering away in Armenia, eventually does get a bride.