RAMU'S RESCUE STORY
Wildlife SOS was contacted by the Jharkhand Forest Department regarding the medical condition of a 19-year-old Ramu who was in Ranchi with a request that the ailing elephant be shifted to the Elephant Hospital in Mathura for urgent medical care. Preliminary examination revealed that the elephant is suffering from severe osteoarthritis, causing immense pain and inflammation.
But before Ramu arrived at the premises, an elephant care team from Wildlife SOS went over to Ranchi to build a bond of friendship and trust with the young elephant so that they could facilitate the elephant’s medical care. The veterinary team reached with medical equipment to provide immediate relief to the pachyderm, and also conducted an assessment to see if he was fit to be transported to the Elephant Hospital. Once the vets approved, a specialised Elephant Ambulance was dispatched by Wildlife SOS to carry Ramu for 1,100 kms to reach Mathura. He was accompanied by a team of expert veterinarians and elephant caregivers.
Ramu responded well to the treatments he received at the hospital. Laser therapy for his arthritic limbs provides him relief at a cellular level. Ramu has a permanently deformed ankle because of a fracture he sustained, but oral anti-inflammatories and pain medication alleviates his pain. Ramu is often spotted running around his enclosure, which means he is healing well, and this gives us huge relief! But much like a teenager, he is extremely picky when it comes to food. While he isn’t fond of fruit and refuses a lot of which he is offered, he is an ardent fan of roasted Bengal gram (sattu) flour, and this keeps his caregiver on his toes to arrange for whatever it is that this pachyderm wishes for!
