Chiang Mai University's Mobile Vet Clinic - January 2022 Update

Dry, dusty conditions lead to eye irritations in elephants

Our partners with the Chiang Mai University’s Mobile Vet Clinic had a busy start to the New Year. On January 7, Dr. Siripat and his team traveled to visit an elephant in the Mae Wang area who was reported to have an eye issue. When the vet team arrived, they found the elephant playing in a field filled with dried corn husks, which they determined to be the cause of the tearing eye. The veterinary team provided treatment and medication to the elephant and the owner was also provided instructions for future care.

January 10 saw Dr. Siripat and the Mobile Vet Clinic headed to the Mae Chaem area to visit an elephant who was suffering from gastrointestinal issues and not eating. When the owner called, he said that the elephant wasn’t able to swallow properly and was drooling. The only things the elephant could consume were soft bananas and water. Upon further investigation and after taking a history of the elephant from the owner, they determined that the elephant had eaten leaves from a Red Zebrawood tree which caused irritation in the elephant’s mouth and throat. The male elephant was treated with an antihistamine and inflammation medication. They also were able to educate the owner about food management and urged the them to try to prevent this from happening again in the future.

The next day, the Mobile Vet Clinic made its way back to the Mae Wang area to treat an elephant with colic and another with a foot issue.

The young elephant with the foot issue was observed with an awkward walking style. After the use of thermal camera imaging, the vet team determined that the elephant had thinning foot pads causing the pain when walking over rocky terrain.

Dr. Siripat exams the foot of this young elephant

The young elephant had been playing on a sandy ground-cover, which may have caused the thinning of the foot pads. The doctor suggested ways to solve the problem and the owner will monitor the symptoms.

With the help of the Thai Elephant Alliance Association (TEAA), the elephant with colic was treated with supplements, pain and gas relievers. An enema was also performed and it was discovered that there were dry, rough feces inside which may have contributed to the issue. While treating this elephant, another elephant required treatment for gastrointestinal issues as well. The team spent the night with these elephants and both were looking better the next day as the feces began to move out.

On January 20, the team traveled to Chiang Mai to begin treatment for a 2-year-old elephant who was showing signs of EEHV - purple tongue, lethargy, swollen face and fever. Again with help from the TEAA veterinary team, the young elephant was immediately given antiviral medication, anti-inflammatories, steroids and fluids. Blood was collected from the adult elephant herd members in order to perform a blood transfusion for the calf. Thankfully, with the timely and skilled treatment from the CMU Mobile Vet Clinic and the TEAA, they were able to save the young elephant's life.

Stay tuned next month for Dr. Siripat’s February update on the activities of the Mobile Vet Clinic. Please show your support for the Chiang Mai University veterinary team, by visiting www.asianelephantsupport.org to make your donation.

Chiang Mai University’s Mobile Vet Clinic - November 2021 Update

We continue our update from Thailand and our veterinarians with the Chiang Mai University Mobile Vet Clinic beginning in the Galyani Vadhana and Mae Tang areas on November 18-19, 2021. The veterinarians and their team worked with the Department of Livestock to conduct health exams on seven elephants in the area. While there, they scanned an implanted microchip and helped an elephant owner check his elephant.

Also on November 19, after leaving the Galyani area, the Mobile Vet Clinic visited an elephant in Pai area in Mae Hong Son district and followed up on an elephant who had been struck in the eye with bamboo, who was recovering well with treatment. Her corneal ulcer had improved since first being treated in September. They also treated an elephant who had an abscess on his back, and an elephant who had a wound on her genital area. The owner of this elephant had previously spoken to the doctors via telephone and cleaned the wound on his own. The doctors were pleased at the owner’s treatment and will return at a later date to follow up on progress.

The following week, November 24-25, the PhD students from the University visited an elephant camp in Mae Wang and Mae Tang districts in order to collect fecal samples for research on the development of different gut flora in elephants from different regions of the country. While at the camp the CMU team performed health checks as well.

On November 30, the veterinarians traveled to Mae Chaem in response to a vet technician who was calling about an elephant calf whose temperature was dropping and as a result, was not eating and was lethargic. The veterinarians immediately thought it was EEHV, so they examined the calf and took some samples for testing. The calf seemed to still be healthy so we will get an update at a later date, as the veterinarians and technicians continue to monitor this individual.

To finish out the month, November 30-December 2 found the veterinarians in Mae Wang district visiting “Grandma”, an elderly elephant whom they have visited in the past, treating her for lethargy. The veterinarians were called in the middle of the night and told that Grandma was lethargic. The Department of Livestock and the Thai Elephant Alliance Association had already begun treatment for Grandma, but the CMU veterinary team administered fluids to increase her energy. Grandma slept a while but when she woke up she was hungry, which was a great sign. By December 2, Grandma was having trouble pushing her feces out on her own, so the team gave her an enema - which did the trick! The obstruction was removed. The veterinarians further suggested to the owner of Grandma that he add water and supplements to the grass that she eats in order to keep her feces soft. They also suggested that the owner stop feeding Grandma hay which can lead to colic in older elephants.

As always, AES is so thankful for the CMU Mobile Vet Clinic's team of veterinarians and technicians and their hard work and dedication. Stay tuned for next month’s newsletter as we update you on how our CMU crew finished out the year!

Chiang Mai University’s Mobile Vet Clinic - October 2021 Update

Never a month goes by that the dedicated team with the Chiang Mai University Mobile Vet Clinic doesn’t go to great lengths to help elephants in need. From the newest born to older elephants, we are so grateful for the aid this team provides to all of the elephants in their care.

While we hope all cases have happy endings, some do not. As was the case with the Mobile Clinic's first visit to provide assistance in October. A mother elephant was found to be severely underweight and struggling.

Lab work was done to rule out any underlying disease for the mother, calf and an “auntie”. Despite an otherwise clean bill of health for all of the elephants based on those results, the mother passed away. The CMU doctors suspect that a lack of proper nutrition during her pregnancy may have been the cause for her ill health and ultimate death. The Doctors report that the calf and her aunt are doing well and with guidance on nutrition management having been provided, the owner will be able to prevent any future issues.

A four-hour-old calf was the patient in the next case for the Mobile Clinic. This little calf was found bleeding from their umbilical cord.

With quick treatment from Dr. Khajohnpat and his Team, including medication and cleaning of the area, bleeding stopped and the next day the calf was in good health.

From very young to very old, the CMU Team invests so much care and commitment to help elephants in need and educate owners. In October the Mobile Clinic visited this elephant twice after already providing her care during prior visits.

The first visit involved delivering a third dose of tetanus vaccine and opening a facial abscess. The good news was that when they opened the wound, nothing was found inside and time to heal was all that was called for along with providing advice to the owner on how to clean it properly. At another visit in late October, the Team was pleased to find the wound was healing very well.

In an update on the 65-year-old elephant suffering from an eye ulceration and an abscess on her leg we told you about previously - due to the good work of the owner, in coordination with the CMU Mobile Vet Clinic, this elephant continues to heal and Dr. Khajohnpat reports she still has vision in the affected eye!

As we come up on the end of the year we ask that you take this opportunity to help the CMU Mobile Vet Clinic and the other veterinarians AES provides assistance to. Please make a donation by December 31st to show how much you appreciate their work and when you do, write a message to these dedicated professionals to express your gratitude. We’d love to share it with them!

Chiang Mai University’s Mobile Vet Clinic - September 2021 Update

Our Chiang Mai University’s Mobile Vet Unit veterinarian team was spread around Thailand yet again in the month of September and they teamed up with the DLD, Department of Livestock Development, for many of the visits, doing health checks for over 300 elephants. September 6 and 7, the CMU vets and the DLD did health checks in the Hod-Omkoi area, followed by a trip to Mae Chaem on September 13-15. Finally, they ended their health checks in the Mae Wang area on September 20-22 and September 28.

In the April AES Newsletter we reported on this elephant that suffered chemical burns to the mouth 

During those health checks, the veterinarians checked on an elephant who had been treated for coming into contact with herbicide, and she has made a full recovery. They also implanted a microchip into a young elephant and did other microchip checks as well. 

On September 25, the CMU vets traveled to the Hod district to help an owner of an elephant who’s bull had gone into musth early and had gotten away from the owner. The elephant was not safe being around a nearby village going into musth, so it was critical to safely retrieve the bull. Eventually, the bull was brought back to the owner and the doctors were able to do a health check on the elephant to make sure he wasn’t injured. They also spent some time with the owner educating him on bull management.

Another stop that the CMU Mobile Vet Clinic made in September was, again, in Mae Wang area, to make a follow up visit to an elephant named "Grandma". She was given a tetanus toxoid booster, and they checked on a facial abscess, which they are waiting until next month to drain the purulent material from.

Finally, they made a trip to the Pai area on September 20 to check a female elephant with a corneal ulcer in her eye, resulting from being hit in the eye with bamboo while foraging in the forest. The vets wanted to treat this eye issue quickly as it is a fast moving issue if untreated. She was treated with antibiotics and pain relievers, with a plan to follow up with her in one week.

On September 27, the veterinarians returned for a re-check and found that her eye was healing, thanks to the application of autologous serum and the actions of the owner and the vet assistant. Autologous serum is derived from blood and can be used to treat a number of ocular issues including abrasions

As the tireless work of the CMU veterinarian team continues, we will be sure to bring you their stories and keep you updated on their mission to care for the elephants of Thailand.

If you would like to make a contribution to their mission, please donate today!

Chiang Mai University’s Mobile Vet Clinic - August 2021 Update

A microchip reader used to identify elephants during a large-scale health check on 400 elephants

In late August the team from the Chiang Mai University Mobile Vet Clinic partnered with the National Elephant Health Service and Research Institute to conduct health checks on over 400 elephants in the Mae Tang region of Northern Thailand.

Interestingly, as part of the regular checks, elephants are first identified by checking microchips similar to the ones we may use for the pets in our own homes.

Earlier in the month, the veterinarians were called out to a case in the Mae Wang area where a young calf was reported to be lethargic and not eating.

A report of an issue in an elephant this young can cause a great deal of concern, as the caretakers and vet team worry about possibility that this might be a case of EEHV – Elephant Endotheliotropic Herpesvirus – a deadly disease affecting elephants generally between one to twelve years of age. The team immediately took samples to test for the often-fatal illness. With further examination however, the veterinarians discovered an abscess causing facial swelling that they believed to be the root of the problems. Anti-inflammatory medications were given and the calf started showing signs of improvement within two days. And the sample that was taken earlier…came back negative for EEHV!

Also, in Mae Wang, the CMU van was called out for an elephant that had an abnormal gait due to a puncture in her foot. With the help of thermal imaging, the vet staff was able to see the injury site. Pain relievers and anti-inflammatory medications along with a tetanus vaccine were administered to stop a potential infection.

Thermal-photography can be used with elephants to identify the location of infections, arthritis and other injuries, such as this puncture wound

While conducting health checks with the Department of Livestock Development in Mae Tang, the CMU team treated an elephant suffering from inflammation of the tissue surrounding the elephant’s tush (the term used for tusks in female elephants).

The area was painful and there was movement in the tush itself. In this case, the veterinarians prescribed antibiotics, pain relievers and additional supplements. Follow-up care was scheduled with the veterinarian in charge of this area after the CMU team provided her the immediate help she required.

The Chiang Mai University Mobile Vet Clinic can respond to a variety of cases every single month, as called upon because of the generous support that AES donors provide.

We encourage you to lend a hand by clicking here to donate. We also have a small supply of Chang Vet Aid 2021 t-shirts still available for sale. Don’t miss out on this limited-edition shirt - sales of which benefit the work of the Thai veterinarians! To purchase a shirt and support the CMU Mobile Vet Clinic, click here!

Chiang Mai University’s Mobile Vet Clinic - July 2021 Update

An elephant showing signs of colic lays down to try to relieve pain associated with abdominal distention

Gastrointestinal issues, sometimes called colic, can be common but also life-threatening in elephants. In July the team with the Chiang Mai University Mobile Vet Unit had several such cases that required their immediate assistance.

Fluid therapy and pain relief is typically the first approach to helping with these issues, but in two of the cases that presented in July, more assistance was required. Enemas had to be performed by the vet team to remove the dry rough feces that was causing a blockage in the elephants. Skilled handling of the elephants by their mahouts allows for the doctors and nurses to safely perform this procedure on an elephant that is already in a lot of discomfort.

Fluid therapy and pain medication being provided.

Enema being performed for an elephant in Mae Wang

An elephant experiencing these issues can cause mahouts and veterinarians a lot of worry and distress. One incident in Mae Chaem proved especially worrisome. A vet nurse, under the direction of veterinarians, was deployed to assist in a bad case of colic. On the first day, fluids and pain medications were injected. The second day the elephant was observed eating and drinking a little.

Example of an over-sized fecal bolus passed by an elephant in Mae Wang

But by the third day the attending vet nurse reported the elephant still hadn’t passed any feces and concern over the elephant’s condition was growing. Two doctors from CMU and staff from the Thai Elephant Alliance Association (TEAA) set out immediately. As they were on the road, thankfully they received a call telling them that the elephant had finally passed a bolus of fecal matter. According to Dr. Khajohnpat – “After that voice ended, everyone calmed down. Our whole team of doctor, vet nurse and the owner of the elephant including the elephant itself, who should feel more comfortable.”

In these cases, the CMU Mobile Vet Unit always follows up to check in and advises on dietary changes that might help prevent these issues in the future. We are grateful for the care that the CMU Team and TEAA provides to elephants in need and to you for your support of their work to save elephant lives.

Chiang Mai University’s Mobile Vet Clinic - June 2021 Update: Part Two

Since June was such a busy month for our veterinarians Dr. Khajohnpat Boonprasert and Dr. Siripat Khammersri and the CMU Mobile Vet Clinic team, our monthly report was split into two updates. We shared the first update in our July newsletter. And this month, we share more about their critical work to save elephants in Thailand.

The CMU Mobile Vet Team on their way to Mae La Noi area

We left off with our doctors visiting the Mae Wang district of Thailand. Then, on June 16, they traveled to the Mae La Noi area, thanks to the coordination from the Thai Elephant Alliance Association (TEAA). The vets were called to provide life saving support to a 5 yearold elephant who was suffering from diarrhea and lethargy.

After taking a history, a physical exam was performed and medication started being administered. It was discovered that the young elephant’s diarrhea was being caused by ingesting soil, which can happen when there is a shift in the elephant’s environment or after a change of seasons. After some time observing the youngster, he started eating and the vets were confident the diarrhea had subsided. Before leaving the village the next day, June 17, the doctors checked on the elephant one more time and gave the elephant’s owner some medication to continue treatment if necessary.

Their next stop was Mae Tang district on June 21. The vets were called by an owner to examine his elephant’s eye with a cloudy cornea. During eye exams, the doctors use fluorescein stain in order to be able to spot corneal lesions. This elephant’s cornea was deemed clear of lesions or ulcers, but they did discover a minor irritation to the conjunctiva. The doctors used eye drops to relieve the irritation and also provided some advice to the elephant owner.

Finally, on June 21, an owner in the Mae Sariang area needed the assistance of the CMU Team and the TEAA to transport an older elephant to the Elephant Hospital at the Thai Elephant Conservation Center (TECC) in Lampang.

The elephant is suffering from chronic arthritis due to continuous weight shifting among her hindlimbs and forelimbs. The TEAA provided a transport vehicle and the older elephant was successfully transported to the Hospital the following morning, after quite a difficult night. We hope to follow the progress of this elephant’s health in our next report from the CMU Mobile Vet Clinic and keep you posted in our September newsletter if possible.

As always, you can visit www.asianelephantsupport.org to show your support for our tireless veterinarians who continue to travel across Thailand helping our treasured elephants by making a donation. Your donations and fundraiser support over the last year has kept the CMU Mobile Vet Clinic running and has helped save the lives of numerous elephants in need. We thank you for your continuing contributions.

Chiang Mai University’s Mobile Vet Clinic - June 2021 Update

Doctors Khajohnpat and Siripat continued their diligent work for the elephants of Thailand in the month of June. Even as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to seriously affect the region and the travel conditions remain treacherous, our CMU veterinarians’ dedication remains strong.

Fecal samples showed signs of improvement after treatment

June first had the doctors travelling to the area of Mae Wang. The doctors spent several days in that district tending to elephants with a variety of problems. June 2nd saw the veterinarians helping an elephant who wasn’t eating or drinking water, and had diarrhea which included dirt inside the feces. Treatments, which included activated charcoal and oral rehydration salt, began immediately. A few days later the elephant had fully recovered and was eating and acting normally.

Continuing in Mae Wang district, the team visited a camp with a mother elephant who was suffering from colic. At 4:00pm on June 4th, the vets started the mother on fluids and pain medications. They performed an enema, which revealed the elephant had dry, rough feces.

Mother receiving treatment, while calf stands under her head

After a day of treatment, the mother was still unable to pass feces on her own. The doctors continued to perform treatments, even with the mother’s calf by her side, and worked until 4:00pm on June 5th. To promote gastrointestinal activity and movement, the elephant was led by her mahout to the nearby river, and she finally passed the feces.

The next case in Mae Wang saw the veterinarians treating a young calf who had been bitten by a leech, and had been bleeding for six hours. After a call from the owner of the elephant, the veterinarians arrived at 8:00pm on June 9th and started treatments to stop the bleeding. Thankfully, the treatments were successful and the young elephant made a full recovery.


This was a busy month for the CMU Mobile Vet Clinic, so we will continue with more June updates in our next newsletter. In the meantime, visit the AES website to donate and support these essential efforts in providing critical care to our beloved Thailand elephants.

Chiang Mai University’s Mobile Vet Clinic - May 2021 Update

Even through a new surge of COVID 19 in Thailand, our friends with the Chiang Mai University’s Mobile Vet Clinic, Drs. Khajohnpat and Siripat, continued their most important visits to elephants in need throughout Thailand.

The month of May was spent mainly in the Mae Tang district. Their first case on May 9 was to conduct a blood transfusion from 2 elephants for a third elephant who was suffering from anemia. The transfusion was successful and the elephant that accepted the transfusion began to respond to treatment and appears to be recovering.

Left: Dr. Siripat with assistance from a Vet Nurse to collect blood from donor elephant,
Right: Elephant is receiving life-saving transfusion

On May 12 the doctors visited an elephant owner who was concerned about his elephant who was emaciated and had been losing weight over the course of a month. The veterinarians collected some secretions from the elephant’s trunk which tested positive for tuberculosis, a serious respiratory disease that affects humans and elephants. The doctors advised the elephant’s owner to monitor symptoms and to start planning for the very intense treatment for the disease. Unfortunately, 5 days later, the elephant passed away from the disease.

Critically ill elephant - while not all cases have happy endings, the veterinarians provide advise and care wherever needed

Critically ill elephant - while not all cases have happy endings, the veterinarians provide advise and care wherever needed

May 26, a national Thai holiday, found the doctors traveling to visit an elephant who was in abdominal distress. After examination, the veterinarians decided to administer fluids and pain relievers at about 2:30 in the afternoon. After this, they gave the elephant an enema and found dry, rough feces inside the elephant that was the probable cause of the distress. After inquiring with the owner further it was found that the elephant in question was stealing the other elephant’s hay overnight and consuming it.

The next day, the elephant still could not pass feces by herself. The doctors continued their fluids, pain relievers and enemas. Finally, by 8:00pm on May 27, the obstructive feces were pulled out and completely removed. The veterinarians suggested to the elephant owner that he begin chopping the grass he feeds to this elephant, and mixing it with water and supplements to prevent the consumption of dry food. They also suggest that the owner discontinue feeding older elephants hay, which can cause colic.

Although their job is not glamorous, and the endings are not always happy ones, the CMU Mobile Vet Clinic veterinarians and nurses continue their tireless work for the elephants of Thailand. To support their efforts, and efforts for elephants all across Asia, please visit our website www.asianelephantsupport.org to make a life saving donation.

Chiang Mai University’s Mobile Vet Clinic - April 2021 Update

Dr. Siripat providing care to elephant during an annual visit

Dr. Khajohnpat and Dr. Siripat kept quite busy during the month of April in the Chiang Mai University’s Mobile Vet Clinic. The van, donated by AES in March 2019, has been taking the veterinarians across Thailand performing health checks and providing emergency medical care to elephants in need.

Dr. Khajohnpat advises owners on elephant care strategies

The doctors traveled to Huay Pak Kood, Mae Jam district from April 7-8, to make a visit to about 50 elephants they hadn’t seen in a year. They provided care to the elephants as well as spent time with mahouts and owners, discussing any issues they may have in order to keep their elephants healthy for the following year.

A tragic wind storm swept through the Mae Wang district on April 14, killing three elephants and leaving three injured from a fallen 100 year old tree. The veterinarians rushed to the area and helped treat the elephants in need.

Treating a severely injured elephant following the windstorm

Two injured elephants were transported to the Elephant Hospital at the Thai Elephant Conservation Center with the help of the Thai Elephant Alliance Association team of doctors. One injured elephant was not seriously hurt so she was treated and will be monitored further. After investigation of the area, it is believed the female elephants of the herd were surrounding a calf to protect him and keep him calm during the storm.

April 22 saw the CMU van travel to the Mae Tang district to help an elephant owner manage his bull elephant going into an early musth.

In Thai and English, sign reads: DANGER! No Entry; Elephant in musth

Their plan of sedating the male, securing him and walking him into his containment area was a success. By using the best safety protocols, the veterinarians were able to safely secure the bull with no injuries to the elephant or people.

April ended with the doctors heading to the Pai area to treat an elephant that was suffering from abdominal distension and diarrhea. Fluid therapy for rehydration, supplements and pain relief were administered immediately. While treating this elephant, another elephant with the same owner was showing colic symptoms.

Dr. Siripat with patient eating soaked food

After conversing with the owner, the cause of the colic was discovered – dry vegetation. The veterinarians suggested to the owner that he mix chopped grasses with water and supplements. The veterinarians decided to treat the elephants with activated charcoal and fluids with supplements and their condition improved within a few days.

We continue to be so proud of Dr. Khajohnpat, Dr. Siripat and the entire CMU Mobile Vet Clinic team and their tireless work to help Asian elephants all over Thailand. And we couldn’t have made it this far without your support! Stay tuned to future newsletters for continued updates and stories of their journeys. As always, please visit www.asianelephantsupport.org to make a donation to help keep our veterinarians going strong!

March 2021 Update - CMU Mobile Vet Clinic

After a monumentally successful fundraiser - thanks to you, AES's amazing community of supporters - and being able to fully fund the salary for a second veterinarian, February and March saw the doctors with Chiang Mai University’s Center of Elephant and Wildlife Research Mobile Veterinary Clinic continuing their mission of providing veterinary care to Asian elephants all over Thailand. Using the AES donated van, the tireless veterinarians were able to traverse all sorts of terrain, including crossing a waterway to reach a remote forest village (Facebook users: click here to see the CMU van in action).

Their travels took them to the western border with Myanmar, and with the help of the Thai Elephant Alliance Association (TEAA), led by President Therrapat Trungprakan, the CMU van took a 6 hour drive, for the third time in a month, to help a 9 year old female elephant suffering from mouth burns. The elephant was roaming loosely, around a farm at night, away from her owner, and got into some bottles of farming chemicals. As elephants do, the elephant put those chemicals in her mouth, causing chemical burns. Thankfully the elephant, with guidance and help from the veterinarians, the TEAA team and the dedication of her owners and caretakers, was able to fully recover.

Photo courtesy of TEAA: Touching photo of an elephant owner, grateful for the care provided by the CMU Mobile Vet Clinic and TEAA

Specifically travelling to the districts of Om Koi, Mae La Mad and Ta Song Yang, Drs. Siripat and Khajohnpat, along with the CMU Elephant and Wildlife Research team, provided education to local elephant owners and villagers on the importance of wild elephants living in their natural forests. Up until this point, these areas did not have any issues with human-elephant conflict, however there are now conflicts among elephant owners and farmers where elephants are getting into local corn farmers’ plantations. The veterinarians also discussed elephant management, disease and ways to medically treat elephants. While in these remote areas educating, the doctors also visited and treated several sick elephants.

Dr. Siripat and the team with the CMU Mobile Vet Clinic providing essential education and tools to owners and caretakers

AES couldn’t be more proud to see the elephant success stories and the education Dr. Khajohnpat and Dr. Siripat are providing communities across Thailand.

Thank You For Making the Chang Vet Aid 2021 Fundraiser a Success

Plai Salawin stands next to the CMU Van - Hundreds of elephants are helped by the Clinic every year, thanks to your support

We at Asian Elephant Support, count ourselves lucky to have such amazing friends, who love and care for Asian elephants and their caretakers as much as we do!

From Canada to New Mexico, from New York to Santa Barbara, and everywhere in between, you supported the Chang Vet Aid 2021 fundraiser and our efforts to provide the salary for Dr. Siripat, the additional Veterinarian with Thailand's Chiang Mai University Mobile Vet Clinic. 

On behalf of all of us at Asian Elephant Support, thank you for making this fundraiser such an overwhelming success. With your help we raised more than $15,000 through shirt sales and additional donations during the campaign, allowing us to not only provide the salary for the second Veterinarian but also to continue to fund emergency requests for aid throughout Asia during this difficult time. 

We hope that all those who purchased items enjoy and wear them with pride when they arrive in the mail and that all those who contributed know how grateful we are to you for your generosity. 

Linda, Barbara, Liz & Mindy

Asian Elephant Support, Board of Directors

Thanks from TEAA for CMU Mobile Vet Clinic

The week of February 24th the Chiang Mai University (CMU) Mobile Vet Clinic in partnership with the Thai Elephant Association Alliance (TEAA) responded to an emergency involving an elephant that had sustained injuries from drinking herbicide.

Below is a video from a follow-up visit to check up on how the elephant was doing. In this video Theerapat 'Pat' Trungprakan , President of TEAA, relates their work and their appreciation for AES funding the CMU Mobile Vet Clinic.

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CMU Mobile Vet Clinic Critical in 2020

One of the highlights of 2020, on which AES is proud to report, is our committed veterinarians with Chiang Mai University’s (CMU) Center of Elephant and Wildlife Research Mobile Vet Clinic. In March 2019, AES donated a new, second van in order for Dr Khajohnpat and the CMU veterinarian team to treat more elephants in need of care.  Last year, with the global pandemic having wide ranging impacts on elephants, elephant camps, and mahouts, the Mobile Vet Clinic continued their dedication to provide aid to elephants in need, sometimes on an emergency basis.

2020 started off with the team heading to Mae Wang district several times in January and February. On those trips, Dr. Khajohnpat treated a young elephant with a chronic leg wound, a 45 year old elephant with an inflamed leg at Ning Tao camp, and at Mae Elephant Sanctuary, he treated an elephant suffering from colic. By March, a trip to all the camps in the Mae Wang district found him doing health checks with other veterinarians on over 600 elephants!  

As the pandemic started to hit Asia, and the Thai government began closing all elephant camps to tourists, Asian Elephant Support donated emergency funds to both the CMU Mobile Vet Clinic and The Thai Elephant Alliance Association. But the van continued making much needed medical trips. Dr. Khajohnpat reported early in the pandemic that many camps that contract elephants and skilled mahouts have allowed them and their elephants to move back to their homes and natural forests. Without income from tourists, camps can’t purchase food for the elephants or pay the mahouts.

During the ensuing months, the CMU team made trips to Huay Pakk Kood in Mae Chaem to treat an elephant with an allergic reaction from eating secretions from Ding Hou tree; to Pai District, Mae Hong Son province to treat an elephant with intestinal discomfort, and who was not eating or drinking; and to Karen Elephant Retreat Camp, Mae Tang district to treat an elephant with an eye injury. And, thanks to the many generous donations we received, the Thai Elephant Alliance Association and the CMU Mobile Vet Clinic were able to distribute free medicine for use on their calls, and assemble 30 First Aid boxes for owners’ use with their elephants.

By mid-year, impacts from the pandemic persisted at elephant camps across Thailand. With help from the Tourism Authority of Thailand and the Thai Elephant Alliance Association, the CMU team made a trip to Mae Chaem district in Chiang Mai to hand out some of the First Aid boxes to elephant owners who had decided to take their elephants home when the camps closed down. The team also traveled to a village to make routine health checks on over 20 elephants that had been relocated due to the pandemic.

The CMU Mobile Vet Clinic made a trip to Mae Rim Elephant Sanctuary to treat constipation in a 45 year old pregnant female. After intense treatment for several days, she recovered. Another pregnant female needed monitoring in Mae Jam district, so Dr. Khajohnpat spent the night and did a physical exam. Ultimately, the mother gave birth, but sadly the calf did not survive. The doctor wrapped up August traveling to Karen Raummit elephant camp in Chiang Rai province for health checks on 21 elephants, and then to Hauy Pak Khud village, Mae Jam district to treat a baby elephant with a trunk injury and a mother elephant who had lost her calf during parturition.

September saw the team respond to several emergency calls, including one with the Thai Elephant Alliance Association, where the doctors spent the night treating an elephant suffering from iron toxicity. Other emergency calls were later in September to the Mae Chaem district, to treat a lame 42 year old elephant, perform a necropsy, and to treat a young, seven year old elephant with symptoms of EEHV.

The demand for veterinary treatments during the pandemic became higher than ever this year. AES was asked to provide support for a second veterinarian to handle the increase. In November, we welcomed Dr. Siripat Khammesri, who obtained his Master’s degree at Chiang Mai University and had worked previously at the Mae-sa camp. With a second veterinarian, the CMU van could now reach farther into northern Thailand.  By the end of November, the doctors had traveled to Surin multiple times to treat elephants at a festival, and to a Uthai province Buddhist festival to treat a very young calf with EEHV symptoms. They were also called out to Mae Wang in December to assist a mother and her day old calf to start the suckling process. This trip lasted through the night and into the next morning.

The Mobile Vet Clinic put 22,380km (13,906 miles) on the van in 2020, many on rough and slow country roads, proving how essential their service is to the elephants of Thailand. AES could not be prouder to be a part of this necessary team of critical veterinarians and technicians. Despite the challenges facing them throughout 2020, they continued their mission of providing elephant health care for all who need it.

Because AES is so committed to supporting and sharing our CMU veterinarian’s hard work, we need your help to continue their mission.

Welcome Dr. Siripat - New Veterinarian for CMU Mobile Vet Clinic

Dr. Siripat Khammesriwith the Chiang Mai University Mobile Vet Clinic

With support from AES, our dear friend, Dr. Khajohnpat Boonprasert from the Chiang Mai University Mobile Vet Clinic, has teamed up with a second veterinarian, Dr. Siripat Khammesri. The two will both be traveling, providing veterinary care and health checks to Thailand’s elephants.

The addition of a second veterinarian is critical, especially during the pandemic that has left many elephants out of work due to the lack of tourists.  Owners have taken their elephants back to their home villages and the mobile clinic is spending much more time on the road to care for these elephants. 

Elephant from Surin Province surveys CMU Van's trunk space

One of their recent stops was to Surin Province, located in south eastern Thailand. There, the doctors collaborated with the Institute of Elephant Research and Healthcare services, livestock department and with the Thai Elephant Conservation Center.  While on this mission, the doctors treated a remarkable 65 elephants!

Veterinarians and Mahouts performing blood draw

In the photos from Surin province, you can see the doctors helping the local men and women perform blood draws from the elephants’ ears, which helps in determining an elephant’s overall health.

On the way home to Chiang Mai, they stopped at a Buddhist festival in Uthai Thani province to provide healthcare services for three elephants there.  Treatments included NSAIDs for lameness and eye care medications.   

Looking ahead, the two veterinarians will be able to travel to an extended area in northern Thailand, and be able to cover for each other for emergencies, on weekends and holidays.

With the use of the transport vehicle, both doctors will be able to serve Thailand’s elephants more effectively.  We are proud to watch the vehicle AES donated to the CMU Mobile Vet Clinic be used, both effectively and efficiently.  We hope you will follow along with us while we watch the impact of the mobile unit grow. AES thanks our donors who make such efforts happen. Thank you!

MED CARE BOXES IN THAILAND

In March, tourism came to a screeching halt in Thailand due to the restrictions imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic. This in turn resulted in the tourist camps closing and the mahout owners returning with their elephants back to their home regions, and in many cases to very remote areas.

Almost immediately a partnership was formed by the Thai Elephant Alliance Association and the Center for Elephant and Wildlife Research to provide medical care to all elephants including those that were no longer in areas or camps with veterinarians.
 
AES provided funding to both the TEAA and the CEWR to help with the additional visits, medicines and supplies that would be needed to help in this crisis. Part of that help was to provide first aid emergency med care boxes to elephant owners so that they could perform some health care themselves. TEAA provided food supplies for the elephants.
 
Throughout this time a total of 72 kits to help over 1200 elephants across Thailand have been distributed: some for communities where they do have some veterinary practitioners but most for camps and owners without veterinarians. And what do these big blue boxes contain to help Asian elephants? Wound dressing kits, pain killers, gastrointestinal drugs, ophthalmic drugs, vitamins, antibiotic injections, NSAIDS injections, among other medicines.

Thai CMU Mobile Vet Van Report

If you have been following AES via Facebook and reading previous newsletters you will know that the CMU Mobile Vet Van that AES donated last year to the Center of Elephant and Wildlife Research has been extremely busy during the covid pandemic. In partnership with the Thai Elephant Alliance Association they have been able to help many camp owners and mahouts take care of their elephants when they would not have otherwise been able to afford veterinary care due to loss of tourism income.  

Dr. Khajohnpat Boonprasert, Center of Elephant and Wildlife Research, Chiang Mai University

Since March 2019 the CMU Mobile Vet Van has traveled about 58,430 km (36,306 miles) with 5,000 km (3,106 miles) of that during the covid-19 pandemic. That is a lot of trips and many elephants that have been helped thanks to the donations made to AES to provide the van as well as provide medical supplies during the crisis.

This month Dr. Khajohnpat Boonprasert of the Center of Elephant and Wildlife Research, Chiang Mai University has reported back about 2 of their recent trips.

“Friday July 3: CMU and TEAA staffs went to Mae Jame district for an urgent emergency case. A new born calf had gotten wound in abdominal and its intestines pulled out. We took 4 hours to arrive at the closest village to the calf. Unluckily, the calf died 2 hours before we arrived. Although, we could not save the baby’s life, we provided health care services for the other elephants there, such as a broken tusk case.”

“Monday July 6: Gastrointestinal distress/constipation in Asian elephants
A 45-year-old pregnant female elephant (Pang Tang-Mo) had suffered from GI discomfort in the middle of the night due to GI constipation. She could not pass her stool out normally and gasses in the intestine were continually built-up causing a lot of pain. The mahout team looked after her closely throughout the night. Our team provided intensive treatment with a painkiller, IV fluids, GI stimulants, encouraged movement, and performed rectal enema. She responded to the treatment very well and recovered the following day.

“This problem can be caused by various factors which including improper diet, inappropriate water consumption, low physical activities of elephants, etc. GI constipation/colic can even contribute to the life-threatening to the elephants in some severe cases. So the proper management whether elephant diets or encourage physical activities is very important especially during the COVID-19 pandemic which the activities of the elephant had been changed due to less tourist visiting.”
#ElephantHealthOurHeart

Assisting CEWR and TEAA during covid-19 pandemic

AES is assisting the Center of Elephant and Wildlife Research and the Thailand Elephant Alliance Association in helping elephant owners and camps to provide medical care to their elephants during their  loss of revenue due to covid shutdown of tourism. The recent funds that AES has provided were used to provide free of charge medicine for the CMU mobile elephant clinic (that AES provided last year). The funds were also used to provide 30 First aid med-boxes for elephant and camp owners to treat elephants.

Shown below are some of the blue  First aid med-boxes for the owners to treat their elephants. These photos were taken on a recent trip by the CMU mobile vet van to villages in Mae Jam district to help 100 camp elephants.

CMU Van Working During covid-19

Dr. Yeaw of the Center of Elephant and Wildlife Research has reported that during the covid-19 outbreak, they have also corroborated with the Thai Elephant Alliance Association for helping elephants that need urgent veterinary services using the CMU Mobile Vet van that AES donated in 2019.

They recently treated an elephant that had been lame and non-weight bearing for many days. During the exam they found a chronic abscess and inflammation. They then opened the abcess, dressed the wound and applied anitibiotic.

Dr. Stremme Visit to ECC Laos - Aug-Sep 2019

Dr. Stremme discussing treatment strategies with Mr. Kan

AUGUST-SEPTEMBER 2019

With the funding of Asian Elephant Support the ECC was able to cooperate with Veterinarian Dr. Christopher Stremme for another year, and purchase new equipment for the ECC Elephant Hospital.

During Dr. Stremme’s last visit, the3 ECC staff worked on monitoring one of the female elephant (Mae Khram Ohn)’s pregnancy. The staff reviewed different birth protocols and created a new version that fit the ECC facilities and management. Dr. Stremme and ECC staff reviewed all the equipment and drugs at the ECC hospital to ensure everything ready for an emergency during the birthing process.

Since Dr. Stremme doesn’t live in Laos, the ECC staff made a delivery plan which required daily monitoring of the progesterone levels of the pregnant female elephant. Once progesterone levels significantly dropped, the ECC staff would contact Dr. Stremme immediately.

As planned, Dr. Stremme was called when progesterone levels dropped to baseline. He was able to come right before the delivery. Unfortunately, the baby was malpositioned and was stuck in the birth canal, so it was a bad case of dystocia. Dr. Stremme recommended surgical removal of the calf because the life of the mother was at high risk. The surgery was done by Dr. Stremme and the calf (that was already dead) was successfully removed from the mother.

Three weeks later, Dr. Stremme came back to the ECC to check the incision, re-suture the surgical opening, and evaluate the recovery of Mae Khram Ohn. The elephant is recovering well.

The surgeries were a difficult test for the ECC staff as they needed to perform catheter placement, provide intra-venous drugs/ fluid administration, learn techniques to restrain the elephant during surgery, and coordinate between all the staff members involved in the surgery

Training ultrasound

Ana Belen Lopez Perez preparing the elephant for ultrasound examination

Dr. Stremme trained ECC staff to perform ultrasound checks. In his previous visits, he did the ultrasounds and the staff tried to recognize the different parts of the reproductive anatomy of the females. However, in his last visit in September, the staff handled the probe and performed the ultrasound. In these sessions, the staff tried to find and identify the parts of the reproductive system. Dr. Stremme supervised the work at all times.

Pharmacy workshop

The ECC staff had many questions concerning drug dosage and storage, when to administer different drugs, what drugs can be combined together, etc. Dr. Stremme and ECC staff worked at the ECC pharmacy to review all of this. They also reviewed how to clean and disinfect surgical tools and how to store them properly.

Microscope

Thanks to Asian Elephant Support, the ECC was able to purchase a new microscope for the ECC Elephant Hospital. The ECC also purchased a camera so it will be easier to train staff to identify blood cells, fecal parasites, etc.

When Dr. Stremme was at the ECC, he held a short workshop about fecal parasite and egg identification. The staff prepared the samples and identified the different eggs under the microscope. ECC staff member Kan showed a talent for identifying the different kinds of parasite eggs!

Testing the scale

The ECC made a new platform for the scale; the new platform is metal and is lighter than the previous one made in wood.

Plan for future visits

• Continue to train ECC staff (Anabel and Kan) to perform ultrasounds check on male and female elephants.

• Continue parasite identification and quantification under the microscope.

• Continue pharmaceutical training for Kan (drugs administration, dosage, when to administer each drug).

• Organize mahout workshops at the ECC.

• Continue to check the breeding females through ultrasound.

• Monitoring male elephants through ultrasound by evaluating testicle size, ampullae, and seminal vesicles.