Paul McCartney Joins Plea for the Release of Abused Elephant, Supports Anti-Judging Campaign

Mary McCartney/MPL Communications Ltd.Paul McCartney continues to show his support for a variety of humanitarian and animal rights campaigns around the world. The rock legend has joined an initiative launched by the PETA organization's Indian branch seeking the release from captivity of a young elephant that reportedly has been abused by its handler.

Sir Paul has written a letter to India's Foreign Minister, Dr. Patangrao Shripatrao Kadam, to ask for his help in seeing that the animal is set free.

Macca's message reads, "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."

According to PETA India, the handler injured elephant's eye with a poker-like weapon, and has now gone on the run in attempt to avoid arrest. Sunder reportedly is being kept in a dark shed and can hardly move because the chains on his legs.

PETA is asking people to join the fight to free Sunder by emailing messages to Kadam. For more information about Sunder's plight, visit PETAIndia.com.

Meanwhile, McCartney also has joined the Everything Matters project's "Don't Judge" initiative, which promotes tolerance and acceptance of people's diversity. The former Beatle has chosen the catchphrase "Live and Let Live" to help support the campaign, which invites and organizations to get involved to spread the message of not judging individuals "based on who they are or how they look."

As part of the initiative, Everyone Matters is asking people to contribute blogs, photos and videos sharing personal experiences with regard to being judged or judging others.