Lakshmi

LAKSHMI'S REHABILITATION STORY

All skin and bones and severely malnourished, Lakshmi was exploited as a begging elephant. Her visibly clear bent knees and bony projections indicated that she was a victim of prolonged malnourishment. The approx. 30-year-old ailing elephant was rescued from a lifetime of abuse and neglect in a joint operation by Wildlife SOS and the Madhya Pradesh Forest Department. She was then transferred for long-term care under Wildlife SOS.

She came to be known as “India’s skinniest elephant”, which was by no means an exaggeration, since Lakshmi appeared  severely emaciated. An extremely bulged and protruding spine with lack of fat and muscles, her bent knees and abnormally deviated limbs were visibly evident as physical deformities. But a closer medical examination further revealed that Lakshmi was suffering from severe lameness, chronic arthritis and joint deformities, painful abscesses on her hips and had ankush (bullhook) wounds on her ears and body.

Keeping her critical condition as well as the winter season in mind, we made sure that the Elephant Ambulance carrying Lakshmi was bolstered with all the necessary equipment, such as cushions, rubber mats, sling support as well as jumbo jackets and tarpaulin covers to protect Lakshmi from piercing cold. We even made sure to put hay on top of the mats to provide extra cushioning for her weak limbs. The ambulance was also loaded with necessary fodder and drinking water to look after any kind of discomfort she could have faced during the journey.

With an extensive, long-term treatment plan, our veterinarians are ensuring that Lakshmi receives proper nourishment, rest and pain management to stabilise her condition, as well as necessary foot care to avoid toenail abscesses and other foot pad related problems. We hope that this will help Lakshmi in her healing journey, surrounded by love and care.