Raju, an Asian elephant, is celebrating the first anniversary of being freed from suffering as a chained and abused animal in the streets of India for about 50 years, Global News Wire reported.

U.K.-based animal charity Wildlife SOS rescued the elephant last year; Raju was seen weeping while the rescuers removed the chain from his feet, The Dodo reported.

"Raju was in chains 24 hours a day, an act of intolerable cruelty. The team was astounded to see tears roll down his face during the rescue," Pooja Binepal of Wildlife SOS said at the time. 

Raju was transported to Wildlife SOS's Elephant Conservation and Care Centre, 350 miles away, where other rescued elephants are housed.

After a year, Raju was healed both physically and emotionally after many years of mistreatment.

"Raju has come so far over the past year, and we credit much of this growth to his incredible capacity to forgive the reprehensible treatment he suffered for 50 years," said Nikki Sharp, Wildlife SOS USA executive director.

This year, Raju is celebrating his first year of freedom and healing where he received a cake made of his favorite food while he was splashing in his pool.

"Raju's story has a happy ending, however there are still thousands of Asian elephants chained, abused and in need of rescue," Sharp said. "We want his story to inspire and compel supporters to get involved and help save these amazing and endangered creatures."

Abused elephants like Mohan are still kept in chains and still need to be rescued.