We are pleased to provide support for veterinary care of elephants and other wildlife in Sumatra along with our veterinary field partner, the Wildlife Ambulance from the Syiah Kuala University Veterinary Faculty in Aceh province.
The Wildlife Ambulance veterinary team spends many hours on the road to reach elephant and other wildlife patients. Recently the Wildlife Ambulance assisted the Aceh provincial conservation agency BKSDA with the rescue and release of a trapped Sun Bear. The adult female Sun Bear was trapped with its right front paw in an illegal rope snare. The animal was sedated and the rope snare was removed. Antiseptic and antibiotic wound treatments were applied locally and systemic antibiotics and analgesics were administered.
Treatment of a rescued Sun Bear
Due to the fact that this case was quickly reported by local people and the bear received immediate medical attention, the snare had not yet caused irreversible damage to the paw of the bear. Therefore, after the treatment and reversal of the sedation the bear was transported to a nearby forest area and released back into the forest.
Removing a snare from a bear paw
During the past six months, the Wildlife Ambulance Veterinarians conducted over 50 field missions for routine elephant health care, emergency treatments, wildlife rescues, and assisted with postmortem examinations on elephants and other wildlife. Routine health care is provided to more than 70 camp elephants in 12 different locations in the provinces Aceh and Lampung.
The Veterinarians also assisted conservation activities such as fitting Satellite GPS collars on wild elephants, wild elephant and sun bear rescues and treatment, as well as supporting rescue and release operations of different primate and bird species in collaboration with other conservation organizations and government agencies.
We are grateful for the efforts of the Veterinarians of the Wildlife Ambulance and the Elephant Response Unit field staff who work tirelessly to provide medical care for critically endangered Sumatran elephants and other wildlife. You can help Sumatran elephants and wildlife by donating today! CLICK HERE to donate.
(Left to Right): Banana Fodder, Pineapple meds, and primate exam