A few months ago, we shared information that our field partners in Sumatra, the Veterinarians from the Wildlife Ambulance, were asked to provide veterinary expertise for the treatment and rescue of an abandoned sick wild elephant calf in Aceh province.
A herd of elephants had raided agricultural crops where farmers had a small storage hut for equipment and fertilizers. The elephants destroyed some of the bags of fertilizer. It appeared that the calf had likely consumed some of the fertilizer causing severe gastrointestinal illness. The calf had rubbed his eyes with its fertilizer contaminated trunk causing significant eye inflammation and corneal ulcers. While stumbling around blind, the calf also sustained some abrasive wounds on his body. The calf was unable to follow the herd and needed intense treatment, so the decision was made to rescue the calf and bring it to camp for treatment and monitoring.
The calf, named Gary, is now doing very well and has recovered from the abrasive wounds. He is blind in one eye but has adapted well to slightly diminished eyesight.
We are grateful for the efforts of the Veterinarians of the Wildlife Ambulance and the field staff who work tirelessly to provide medical care for critically endangered Sumatran elephants and other wildlife.
Calf, Gary, with eye injury. And Gary adapting well to his visual impairment
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