UPDATE:: Paul Backs Campaign To Release Abused Baby Elephant

UPDATE: 31st August 2012

Following months of campaigning, and tens of thousands of activists voicing their concern, PETA have announced that baby Sunder – who has been imprisoned since 2005 – will be moved to a wildlife rescue and rehabilitation centre near Bangalore.

A big thank you to everyone who joined the call to free Sunder. To read PETA’s update head to their website HERE!

Original Post: 27th July 2012:

Paul recently took time out from rehearsals for his Olympic Opening Ceremony performance to send a letter to Indian Forest Minister Dr Patangrao Shripatrao Kadam calling for a young elephant to be released from captivity.

He wrote, "I have seen photographs of young Sunder, the elephant kept alone in a shed at Jyotiba Temple and put in chains with spikes. Years of his life have been ruined by keeping him and abusing him in this way and enough is enough. I most respectfully call on you … to get Sunder out."

Paul's plea follows PETA India's discovery that Sunder was being abused by his handler, who has gone on the run from police since the group became involved. Sunder has sustained a severe injury to his right eye from being jabbed in it with an ankus (a sharp, hooked metal poker-like weapon) by the boy handler. The elephant is also confined to chains with sharp spikes and is kept alone inside a dark shed, in which he cannot even take a single step in any direction.

For more information on PETA’s campaign, head over to their website HERE!