Trudeau visits rescued elephants in UP

Mathura, Feb 18 : Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Sunday paid a visit to rescued elephants at a care centre run by animal welfare organisation Wildlife SOS in Uttar Pradesh's Mathura and said that India's wildlife needs protection.

Trudeau who landed in Delhi on Saturday evening also visited the Taj Mahal with his family.

Appreciating the cause against animal cruelty at the Wildlife SOS Elephant Conservation and Care Centre here, Trudeau said such initiatives need to be supported to protect wildlife in India.

"What an incredible place, with wonderful people doing great things for elephants and for India. The efforts of Wildlife SOS must be supported as we need to protect elephants and all wildlife in India," said Trudeau, who is on a week-long visit to India.

The care centre houses 21 elephants, all subjected to extreme cruelty and finally unchained after years of efforts and legal battle by the organisation.

The 46-year-old Prime Minister -- accompanied by his wife Sophie Gregoire Trudeau and children Hadrien, Ella-Grace Margaret and Xavier James Trudeau -- also fed the elephants and interacted with Wildlife SOS founders, veterinarians and care givers.

"It is a great honour to have the Canadian Prime Minister sparing his valuable family time to see our efforts to protect elephants in collaboration with Forest Department," said Kartick Satyanarayan, Co-founder and CEO Wildlife SOS. 

Wildlife SOS runs a bear rescue centre in Agra and an elephant rescue centre in Mathura to provide critical medical treatment and lifetime care to the rescued elephants.