We are proud to continue support of veterinary care for elephants and other wildlife in Sumatra!
Recently our veterinary field partner, the Wildlife Ambulance from the Syiah Kuala University Veterinary Faculty in Aceh was asked by the Aceh provincial conservation agency (BKSDA) to assist with the treatment of an injured wild elephant. Local people had reported a limping elephant roaming around in community farmland. The team from BKSDA and the Wildlife Ambulance tracked the elephants inside the community farmland and recognized that the elephant had swelling on the right front foot. The elephant was sedated by a dart gun.
During the clinical examination, it was found that the area of the right carpal joint was swollen and inflamed. No injuries on the surface of the foot or foot pad were found. It seemed likely that the elephant may have slipped on a slope in the very hilly area, causing twisting of the joint resulting in overstretching and/or tearing of some of the joint ligaments and capsule. Anti-inflammatory and analgesic drugs, and a mineral-vitamin combination were administered intravenously as well as administration of an anthelmintic drug (ivermectin) intramuscularly.
CRU team works to stabilize injured elephant for transport
After the treatments, the elephant was evacuated from the community farmland where it had been chased around constantly by villagers. Under sedation, the elephant was loaded on a truck and transported to the protected forest area at the CRU (conservation response unit) Das Peusangan. After unloading the elephant, the sedation was reversed, and the elephant was released back into the forest. During the following days the elephant was observed by the mahouts from the CRU.
We are grateful for the efforts of the veterinarians of the Wildlife Ambulance who work tirelessly to provide medical care for critically endangered Sumatran elephants.
YOU can HELP make a difference for elephants in Asia by donating HERE!