JAMNAGAR, Gujarat—Nearly 400 buffaloes and goats rescued by animal charities Humane Society International/India and People for Animals from the mass animal sacrifice at Gadhimai in Nepal, have found forever homes at Vantara, an animal care centre in Jamnagar, and the Happy Home Sanctuary run by PFA Uttarakhand. The 347 goats and 74 buffaloes were among more than 750 animals rescued by HSI/India and PFA, alongside Indian border police from the Sashastra Seema Bal, at the Indo-Nepal border check post just days before the Gadhimai animal sacrifice on Dec. 8 and 9. The groups also rescued hundreds of birds; 328 rescued pigeons were released back into the wild, and two chickens were adopted locally.
A team of ten veterinarians and para-veterinarians from Vantara reached Bihar on Dec. 8 and carefully examined the animals before they began their journey from the sanctuary. At Vantara, the animals will receive further veterinary care, including necessary medical treatment to help them recover from the hardships they have endured.
Alokparna Sengupta, managing director, HSI/India, said: “This is the best possible outcome for these animals who we were able to rescue from the Gadhimai sacrifice. There could be no better places than Vantara and Happy Home Sanctuary to provide safe haven for animals who have been abused and who would have met a horrific end. This collective effort marks a major victory in the fight against animal sacrifice and other forms of animal cruelty and sends a powerful message about the importance of protecting and respecting animals worldwide.”
Gauri Maulekhi, trustee at PFA, said: “This is a new chapter of hope for the animals. We are filled with joy knowing they have been saved from the horrors of the Gadhimai sacrifice and will now live and flourish in a safe, loving environment. We extend our heartfelt thank you to Vantara for their generosity in offering a forever home to these goats and buffaloes. Their successful relocation will ensure the best possible long-term care and well-being for these animals”
The Gadhimai festival, the world’s largest ritual animal slaughter, has long been a tragic event for hundreds of thousands of animals including buffaloes, pigs, mice, pigeons and goats. HSI/India and PFA deployed teams to the Indo-Nepal border checkpoints over a week prior to the sacrifice, to assist border police in intercepting and confiscating animals illegally transported for slaughter. Their combined efforts saved the lives of more than 750 animals—74 buffaloes, 347 goats, 328 pigeons and two chickens. Despite these efforts, estimates based on buffalo entry receipts and eyewitness accounts suggest that between 250,000 – 500,000 animals were slaughtered over the course of two days.
Visuals:
- Download videos from 2024 Gadhimai Vantara rehabilitation operation
- View photos and video of HSI/India’s 2024 Gadhimai border work
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Media contacts:
- Shaili Shah: HSI/India media relations specialist: sshah@hsi.org
