Pari
Year of arrival: 2021
Age at the time of arrival: Approximately 20 years old
Sex: Female
Recognisable features: Front legs are permanently altered at a slanted angle due to prolonged periods of being tied up in an inconvenient posture
Health condition when rescued: Frail with a wounded body riddled with abscesses; an abnormal posture which led to changes in the soft tissues and the bone structure of her body; emaciated hindlimbs, cracked toenails and foot pads, broken tush on the right side and inflammation of skin on paws (pododermatitis)
Facility: Elephant Hospital Campus (EHC)
Favourite food: Watermelons, followed closely by bananas and sugarcane
Favourite activities: Pool time and extracting treats from food-based enrichments
Background: Pari had been made to work under harsh conditions as a ‘begging’ elephant. When not begging, she would be tied with ropes and chains for long hours, which resulted in her acquiring an extremely abnormal posture. The Wildlife SOS team rescued Pari from her misery and brought her to its Elephant Hospital so that she could receive urgent medical care. | READ MORE ABOUT PARI
PARI’S STORY
Pari was compelled to tread along the streets as a ‘begging’ elephant, even when she was barely able to walk. She was also forced to stand at weddings for long hours while she endured pain, which resulted in a malnourished body and one of the worst foot conditions we had ever witnessed.
When Wildlife SOS found her, she was shackled. A heavy saddle was tied to her back with coarse ropes, along with an ankush (bullhook) and spears hanging from it. These tools of torture had been long used to severely batter and bruise her. A lifetime of abuse could have led Pari never to trust human care, but the weak elephant allowed our rescue team carrying bananas to approach her.
On her journey to the Elephant Hospital, the Wildlife SOS rescue team made all efforts to make Pari feel comfortable. She was provided warm blankets in the Elephant Ambulance, along with cucumbers and more bananas, and frequent pit stops were made on the way to keep her at ease.
An emaciated elephant, 20-year-old Pari looked much older than she was. Medical examinations at EHC revealed a multitude of injuries, including abscesses on cheek, temple and elbow joints, bony hindlimbs, septic ulcers near hip joints, a protruding spine, severe abscesses and necrosis on foot pads and toenails. The most visible and distinguishable feature of this elephant was an abnormal posture. Her poor health and a compromised gait indicated that she suffered neglect and lack of medical attention. Having been tied to a short chain for long hours permanently deformed Pari’s hindlimbs.
Her initial treatment included her receiving proper nutrition, antibiotics, supplements and treats. Laser therapy for pain management continues to provide relief to Pari’s joints and limbs. Pari shows determination and a distinct will power to heal, and our team continues to carry out attentive treatments.