KERALA, INDIA, May 8, 2008: Garlanded with gold and carrying a Hindu deity on his back, Babu the elephant, like many others in the country, is the centre point of religious ceremonies that are conducted across the Indian state of Kerala. After 45 years of life and hard work, the large animal is fast approaching retirement and, like many of the 650 working elephants in the state, there has always been fears for his future. Help is at hand, however, for India’s first retirement home for elderly elephants opens next month. Located inside a tranquil forest at Kottur, outside Trivandrum, the hard working elephants can spend their twilight years in dignity. The home will consist of 1,000 acres of woodland where each of the elephants can roam freely, as well as having its own personal pen.
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