In each of our newsletters for the last couple of years, we have shared updates from the Chiang Mai University Mobile Vet Clinic reports, which we receive monthly. In many cases the veterinary team has been called out to help an ill or injured elephant. But as the old saying goes – “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” So we love to share with you, our donors, that the funding you give for the Mobile Vet Clinic makes a huge impact on hundreds of elephants each month.
In fact from February 26 to March 2 the CMU Mobile Vet Clinic, along with veterinary staff from the Thai Elephant Conservation Center (TECC) and the Asian Elephant Foundation, was able to perform health checks on an astounding number of elephants in the Mae Wang, Samoeng and Hang Dong areas of Thailand. Veterinarians visited 36 villages and provided preventive care, updated records and distributed medical supplies and gave advice to the mahouts for 254 elephants in total. Incredible work! In addition to that, the veterinary staff from the Mobile Vet Clinic responded to urgent calls for help throughout the rest of February.
Dr. Siripat teaching abscess care to a mahout.
One case involved an elephant that was being monitored since last November with a wound on her back. Dr. Siripat was called in to look at the abscess again and he determined it was time to provide additional care. With his guidance, the mahout was shown how to care for the newly drained abscess to promote further healing.In a separate case, the veterinary staff was asked to check on an elephant with an abnormal gait. After using a thermal imaging camera, the Dr. pinpointed the issue as inflammation in the knee. Medications and laser therapy were provided and a continuing care plan was coordinated with the team from the TECC. Just a week later, the elephant had improved and a regular stride had resumed.
Preventative care and timely access to elephants in need of assistance is critical to help the elephants of Thailand and other areas of Asia. Donations made to AES support a variety of different programs that aid in the care and conservation of Asian elephants across the continent. And as the need for care continues each month, we hope that you will consider becoming a monthly donor to help veterinary units, like the CMU Mobile Vet Clinic. Click here for more information on becoming a sustaining donor.