Last month we shared a video with you about the Elephant Conservation Center in Sayaboury, Laos. Now we’d like to go a bit further into their role as a provider of elephant healthcare in the area. Here you will see the resident veterinarian Emma clean and dress an abscess on the back of the bull Phu Kam Soey, with the assistance of her aide, Kan. It is an elaborate process to make sure the abscess is prepared for proper healing. The elephant is brought into what is referred to as an elephant restraint device. There, the mahout keeps his attention with treats, usually cooked rice, while the vet performs the necessary steps. It is imperative that the elephant be made to feel calm and accepting of these medical procedures, such is the importance of the elephant/mahout bond. This is an example of what drives the motivation for AES: local, everyday situations where we can be of assistance to elephants and the people whose lives are intrinsically linked to them. Watch the video below, or on YouTube.
