Thailand- The World's First Elephant Hospital
On the same property as
the conservation center, though they are not
affiliated, is the first elephant hospital in the
world. It was established by an organization
called Friends of the Asian
Elephant and has been been treating
elephants for issues from rapid environment
changes, sickness, and threats from man for almost
15 years. Like most great organizations helping
animals are in need of continued support, to learn
how you can help, click here.
The first elephant we were greeted by was a 2 yr old elephant named Mosha that had stepped on a land mine while following her mother who was working for illegal loggers. She had to walk out of the jungle for 2 days before reaching a road to be transported to the hospital. After amputating much of her leg, she is going to be fitted with the first prosthesis to ever be made for an elephant. She was so sweet and like most babies, just wanted to play.
Unfortunately, land mines are a common problem and seven years ago this elephant, Motala, stepped on one. Once she reached the hospital, she under went surgery performed by over 150 people to amputate part of her leg. She is now 46, and has had a rigorous and difficult recovery, though they are working on a prosthesis for her as well.
This elephant was being treated for eye infections that had left her almost blind. A couple of the blind elephants that weren't able to go back to their home now have permanent homes at the hospital.
The first elephant we were greeted by was a 2 yr old elephant named Mosha that had stepped on a land mine while following her mother who was working for illegal loggers. She had to walk out of the jungle for 2 days before reaching a road to be transported to the hospital. After amputating much of her leg, she is going to be fitted with the first prosthesis to ever be made for an elephant. She was so sweet and like most babies, just wanted to play.
Unfortunately, land mines are a common problem and seven years ago this elephant, Motala, stepped on one. Once she reached the hospital, she under went surgery performed by over 150 people to amputate part of her leg. She is now 46, and has had a rigorous and difficult recovery, though they are working on a prosthesis for her as well.
This elephant was being treated for eye infections that had left her almost blind. A couple of the blind elephants that weren't able to go back to their home now have permanent homes at the hospital.