With each elephant rescue, we have observed a disturbing pattern in captive elephants – their bodies are weakened due to improper nutrition, their delicate feet are riddled with wounds, they are socially isolated. and psychologically depressed. Even after rehabilitation, these elephants remain completely dependent on humans for their day-to-day survival. A dedicated team of veterinarians and trained staff works round-the-clock to cater to the needs of our rescued elephants and to reassure them that they are in a safe place.
Slowly as an organisation, we have evolved in our understanding of physiological and psychological issues faced by elephants in captivity. Through this, we have stitched together important pieces for long-term elephant care by learning new veterinary techniques and keeping up with new developments.
In keeping with the organisation’s objectives to rescue and rehabilitate elephants from abuse and captivity and provide them with the best quality medical care available, Wildlife SOS constructed the country’s first hospital specially designed to treat injured, sick or geriatric elephants. The Elephant Hospital is equipped to test and diagnose elephants for a host of diseases and pathogens with an inbuilt path lab, deal with emergency situations with a hoist and support structure, and quarantine the elephant for required durations to avoid the spread of diseases. Regular veterinary check-ups are enabled through the weighing scale and treatment pen, along with space to treat an elephant for longer durations if needed.
The hospital design accounts for space for the veterinary team to store medicine and critical equipment including portable x-ray machines, ultrasound machines, foot care tools as well as a room for staff to stay overnight to observe and keep an eye on the elephants. To further spread information on the humane care provided to elephants in the hospital and the rescue centre, the hospital also has an interpretation centre and an observation window for visiting veterinarians, biologists, and elephant caretgivers from around the world who observe and learn about veterinary care for elephants.
We believe that this hospital will not only help us take better care of our resident elephants and the others that may come, but it will also help us expand our knowledge about veterinary and behavioural science of Asian elephants to share with other practitioners worldwide. We hope that through the dedicated treatments, we will be able to identify and develop a model for the management of Asian elephants in captivity across the world.
 Wildlife SOS Elephant Hospital, Ghari Churmura, Farah, Uttar Pradesh 281122 |
