Elephants have long been seen as symbols of strength, wisdom, and cultural heritage in India. These poised giants are keystone species that shape our ecosystems, and their welfare is as paramount as it is the call of the hour. Recognising the need for both specialised veterinary care and urgent conservation, Wildlife SOS, in collaboration with the Assam Forest Department and Assam Animal Husbandry Department, organised the International Elephant Health Care Workshop in Assam. This landmark event took place on February 24 and 25, 2025 and brought together some of the most distinguished experts in elephant health care, conservation, and veterinary science.
A Gathering of Global Expertise
The two-day knowledge-sharing workshop in Guwahati aimed to build capacity among government field veterinarians and veterinary students from College of Veterinary Science, Guwahati, Assam, highlighting the growing need for elephant treatment and conservation. Unlike other workshops that primarily focus on theoretical learning, this was also followed by an extensive seven-day field training programme at Elephant Health Care Camp, allowing participants to work hands-on with 80 elephants present at Kaziranga National Park, Manas National Park and Merapani Forest Reserve, under the guidance of renowned national and international veterinary experts.
- Shri Anil Chandra Deori (right), Director of the Directorate of Animal Husbandry & Veterinary, Government of Assam, and Dr. K.K. Sarma, Professor & Head of Department of Veterinary Surgery, Guwahati Veterinary College, inaugurated the workshop by lighting the ceremonial lamp. [Photo © Wildlife SOS/Mradul Pathak]
The event was graced by esteemed dignitaries, including Shri Anil Chandra Deori, Director of the Directorate of Animal Husbandry & Veterinary, Government of Assam, as the Chief Guest. Other distinguished guests included, Dr. Shivaji Kumar Bora, Deputy Director (Retd.), Veterinary Services, Govt. of Assam, Dr. Gopal Chettri, Research Officer, Office of PCCF, Govt. of Assam and Chittaranjan Bhobora IFS (Retd), Assam-Meghalaya Joint Cadre, President, Bodoland Tourism Development Society.
Key Topics in Elephant Care
The workshop covered an expansive range of topics to equip attending veterinarians with critical knowledge and practical skills. Each session was led by renowned experts in elephant care, who imparted their wisdom and knowledge about health care, behaviour, and conservation strategies for pachyderms.
Pain Management and Wound Care
Dr. Susan K. Mikota, DVM, Co-founder & Director of Veterinary Programs & Research at Elephant Care International, conducted engaging sessions on pain management, gastrointestinal problems and wound care in captive elephants. To improve the welfare of captive elephants, she introduced modern treatment protocols for injuries, infections, chronic pain and frequently occurring intestinal problems like colic, constipation and impaction.
- Dr. Susan K. Mikota is a globally respected expert in elephant medicine and dealt with new treatment procedures during her session. [Photo © Wildlife SOS/Mradul Pathak]
Breakthroughs in EEHV Research, Foot Care and more
Dr. Willem Schaftenaar, DVM, Research Associate with Elephant Care International, put a spotlight on elephant endotheliotropic herpesvirus (EEHV), which can cause a life-threatening disease affecting young elephants. In his talk, he shared groundbreaking research conducted on the development of an EEHV vaccine that offers hope for better and preventative care of elephant calves.
Expanding on essential aspects of elephant health, Dr. Schaftenaar also led a session on lameness and foot care, one of the most prevalent concerns in elephants. He discussed early detection, effective treatment approaches, and the significance of proper foot care management in ensuring long-term mobility and well-being. In another session, he addressed ophthalmology in elephants, shedding light on common eye disorders, their diagnosis, and available treatment options. He emphasised the importance of routine eye examinations, advancements in ophthalmic care, and the role of early intervention in preventing vision-related complications.
- Dr. Willem Schaftenaar’s research-oriented session titled ‘The Long Road Towards an EEHV Vaccine’ was regarding one of the most promising discussions on how this vaccine can prevent the serious disease caused by herpes virus from infecting young elephants. [Photo © Wildlife SOS/Mradul Pathak]
Managing Bull Elephants in Musth
Musth, a challenging yet healthy phase for every male elephant, is characterised by increased aggression and hormonal surges. So how do we provide the elephant with the attention and care it might need during this period? Padma Shri recipient Dr. K.K. Sarma, Professor & Head of Department of Veterinary Surgery, Guwahati Veterinary College, Assam covered this important topic in his session. Practical guidance on handling bull elephants in musth, the nutrition they require, and insights on how to proceed with medical interventions made this session about one of the most imperative subjects that needs to be dealt with.
- Padma Shri awardee Dr. K.K. Sarma conducted a talk on musth and the challenges of managing bull elephants during this intense period. [Photo © Wildlife SOS/Mradul Pathak]
Neonatal Care and Orphan Management
Dr. Bhaskar Choudhury, Manager & Head Veterinarian, Wildlife Trust of India, highlighted the importance of early intervention and specialised care for orphaned elephant calves in his discerning session. He shared the delicate techniques that can be carried out for neonatal care, proper feeding regimens, and rehabilitation strategies so that every young elephants’ growth and development remained on track.
- Dr. Bhaskar Choudhury from Wildlife Trust of India held a heartfelt talk on the sensitive care that needs to be given to baby elephants. [Photo © Wildlife SOS/Mradul Pathak]
Human-Elephant Conflict Mitigation
With rising human-elephant conflicts, Dr. N.S. Manoharan, Additional Director (retd.) Veterinary Services, Tamil Nadu, provided his valuable insights into much-needed strategies to reduce confrontations between humans and elephants. He emphasised the role of community engagement, improved veterinary care, and non-lethal intervention techniques to foster peaceful co-existence.
- With experience and understanding, Dr. N.S. Manoharan shed light on ways to resolve the urgent and increasing conflict between humans and elephants. [Photo © Wildlife SOS/Mradul Pathak]
Elephant Anatomy and Physiology
From a more biological angle, Dr. Munmun Sarma, Professor & Head of Department of Veterinary Anatomy at College of Veterinary Science, Guwahati, Assam held a session about a comprehensive understanding of elephant physiology. This included organ functions and skeletal structure of elephants, and how they affect the massive mammal’s health and management.
- Heading the veterinary anatomy department at Guwahati’s College of Veterinary Science, Dr. Munmun Sarma captivated the audience during her presentation on elephant anatomy, diving deep into their functional biology. [Photo © Wildlife SOS/Mradul Pathak]
Welfare of Captive Elephants
Dr. Arun A. Sha, Director of Veterinary Services, Wildlife SOS, conducted an informative and essential session on captive elephant welfare and management. He defined welfare as the overall physical and mental health of an elephant, and how well it copes with its environment. He also emphasised the importance of husbandry practices such as proper management methods, hygiene, nutrition, exercise including operant conditioning, enrichments, and foot care for elephants so that they receive the best possible care.
- Dr. Arun A. Sha elaborated on key factors that influence the physical and psychological welfare of captive elephants. [Photo © Wildlife SOS/Mradul Pathak]
Significance of the Workshop
For an organisation like Wildlife SOS, which is at the forefront of elephant conservation, the knowledge gathered from the workshop is sure to enhance elephant treatment and welfare. One of the key takeaways was the crucial role of capacity-building initiatives amongst government veterinary officers and students, emphasising the need for such training programmes across the country. Additionally, for the veterinary students who attended, the workshop also served as a gateway into the specialised field of wildlife veterinary care, particularly in elephant treatment and management.
While addressing the attendees of the workshop, Wildlife SOS CEO and Co-founder Mr. Kartick Satyanarayan and Co-founder and Secretary Ms. Geeta Seshamani emphasised on how expanding these efforts nationwide could revolutionise elephant health care in India like never before! [Photo © Wildlife SOS/Mradul Pathak]
Field Training in Kaziranga & Manas National Park
The interactive sessions were followed by an Elephant Health Care Camp from February 26 to March 6, 2025, at Kaziranga National Park & Tiger Reserve, Manas National Park & Tiger Reserve and Merapani Forest Reserve. During this seven-day field training, veterinarians applied novel techniques and skills on medical interventions that were discussed in the workshop, such as diagnostic evaluation and treatment for wounded and sick elephants.
- Led by experts in veterinary practices, as many as 80 elephants were medically examined by the professional and student attendees of the Elephant Health Care Workshop. [Photo © Wildlife SOS/Mradul Pathak]
As a result of Elephant Health Care Workshop and Elephant Care camp, Wildlife SOS has launched Haathi Sewa, India’s 1st mobile veterinary clinic that is dedicated to the welfare of elephant health. This camp held in Assam bridged the gap between theoretical expertise and real-world application, ensuring that veterinary professionals can implement cutting-edge medical practices in diverse conditions. Learnings from the sessions have pushed up the gears in our journey towards improving elephant health care and conservation. Wildlife SOS extends its deepest gratitude to the Assam Forest Department and the Assam Animal Husbandry Department for their invaluable support.
If you see an elephant in distress, call our 24/7 elephant helpline at +91-9971699727. You can also donate today to help provide the care and protection these gentle giants need!
