We are pleased to support the veterinary care of elephants and other wildlife in Sumatra, Indonesia, along with our veterinary field partner, the Wildlife Ambulance from the Syiah Kuala University Veterinary Faculty in Aceh.
The Wildlife Ambulance Veterinarians provide routine health care to the Conservation Response Unit (CRU) elephants in Aceh and to the Elephant Response Unit (ERU) elephants in Way Kambas National Park. These health checks include weighing each elephant regularly, as well as assessing body condition and providing any needed treatments including deworming. The Veterinarians also monitored the health condition and care procedures of the male calf Dilan rescued earlier from a snare trap, and provide additional food supplies such as bananas, pineapples and other fruits for this elephant.
A young bull elephant, called Dilan, provided with fruits as he recovers from a snare wound on his front right leg
The Veterinarians also assist with other wildlife health issues: recently the Veterinarians were asked by the Aceh Conservation Agency (BKSDA) to check on an adult male Siamang which had been confiscated from a private owner a day earlier.
The animal was sedated and thoroughly assessed. Treatment including deworming and supplemental vitamins were provided. The visit also served as a training opportunity for final year veterinary students who assisted in examining, collecting samples, and treating the Siamang.
The Wildlife Ambulance Veterinarians care for a variety of species, besides elephants
The Veterinarians also travelled to Aceh Jaya regency to assist BKSDA with the resolution of Human-Wildlife-Conflict caused by a wild sun bear. The bear had been observed several times entering village gardens to forage on Durian fruits. The Wildlife Ambulance team prepared all equipment needed for a potential capture, sedation, and transport for relocation. The area was observed 24/7 by the Wildlife Ambulance and BKSDA staff together with local people but the bear did not appear again during this period. BKSDA and wildlife ambulance staff advised local people and village head how to react if the bear comes into the village again and how to safely drive the bear away from their gardens.
The Wildlife Ambulance provided veterinary assistance to BKSDA for the release procedure of three Siamang (Symphalangus syndactylus), one Sumatran Lar Gibbon (Hylobates lar vestitus) and one Sunda Slow Loris (Nycticebus cuocang) into the Jantoh Nature Reserve. The animals had recently been confiscated from individuals owning or trading them illegally.
Students consult with a Veterinarian to assess the body condition of this elephant as part of their training
As part of their clinical internship, 10 veterinary students in their final year accompanied Veterinarians from the Wildlife Ambulance to the Trumon Conservation Response Unit (CRU) in Aceh. A two day seminar was conducted on elephant health care and the students participated in the health checks and treatments for the CRU Trumon elephants, this included:
Safety concerns when working around elephants
Clinical examination
Weight calculation and weighting of elephants
Body condition scoring
Drug dose calculation and administration
The annual Special Competences Wildlife Veterinary Training Course for a select number of students, which the Syiah Kuala University Veterinary Faculty conducts since 2018 was not conducted in 2020 due to Covid-19 restrictions. This year due to ongoing restrictions, a version was held with online teaching and a limited amount of practical field sessions.
The module on Medical Management of Elephants was taught by Dr. Christopher Stremme and included the following topics:
Captive Elephant Management and Welfare
Clinical Examination in Elephants
Drug Administration in Elephants
Female Asian Elephant Reproductive Anatomy, Physiology, and Breeding Management
Male Asian Elephant Reproductive Anatomy, Breeding Behavior, and Musth
Birthing and Neonatal Care, Hand Rearing of Orphaned Elephant Calves
Diseases in Elephants
Conservation Threats to Sumatran Elephants
Clinical Case Studies
A field trip to one of the CRU camps allowed students to practice elephant foot care, clinical examination, drug administration, and sample collection.
We are grateful for the efforts of the Veterinarians from the Wildlife Ambulance who work tirelessly to provide medical care for critically endangered Sumatran elephants and other endangered wildlife.
To help us support the Veterinarians in Sumatra, we hope you will consider donating today!