Jumbos in jim jams! Huge jumpers and legwear are specially knitted by villagers to keep elephants warm at Indian sanctuary

As the nights grow cold in the Indian sanctuary where the rescued animals now live, they can slip into these massive jumpers that have been specially knitted for them. In fact, with their outsize red legwear, it almost looks as if they
are wearing pyjamas.

Ladies in the village near the Wildlife SOS Elephant Conservation and Care Centre in Mathura began knitting and crocheting the mammoth pyjamas last year.

Their handiwork, which took months to complete, was in response to an appeal from staff at the centre, where temperatures at night dip close to freezing point – too cold even for an elephant’s thick hide.

Females Laxmi, Phoolkali and Suzy were the first of the centre’s 20 elephants to get to model their new nightwear.

And as these pictures of them on their first walkabout show, their new pyjamas fitted like a – very, very big – glove.

Kartick Satyanarayan, founder of the centre – which rescues elephants who have suffered chronic neglect and beatings from cruel handlers, said: ‘We work hard to give these elephants a life of dignity and protection while we also provide them ongoing treatment and care.

'This winter we are making jumpers to give the jumbos in our care some warmth.

‘They really took to their jumpers! I know in some countries it is a bit of a joke to wear the most outlandish one you can for Christmas. But the elephants care less about fashion and more about being warm.’

Mr Satyanarayan may soon have to find some extra knitters. He and his team have plans to rescue another 50 elephants this year, with plans to secure more land to expand the sanctuary.