Rescued baby elephant Story update

May 06

On 06 Jan 2006 we rescued a mother and baby elephant from a trekking camp. Both mother (Thong-Kham) and her baby arrived in very bad condition, The baby was born early born and arrived in the world under weight. His legs were too tiny and weak and he could neither stand up nor walk properly. His mother had a big tumor all along her neck and it had spread down to her chest and under her stomach. She had fever and her eyes were swollen and almost closed. She could also not provide enough milk for her weak baby due to her sickness. We provided formula milk for her offspring. Every day our mahout treated the mother elephant with herbal medicines and volunteers took turns to care for the youngster. They all tried to help him to walk and stand up.

On the day of their arrival Malai Thong ,the elephant who has feet badly damaged from a land mine explosion, has joined the family and became a baby sitter. On 22 January Srinual and Dok Ngern arrived the park and both of them choose to stay with Thong kham and her baby. They now became a proud group of five elephants taking care of each other.

The mothers health is now fine and she has recovered from her sickness. The baby elephant has put more weigh and his legs are strong. He can walk as a normal young elephant. He is happy having been nursed by his mother and three nannies. We still have not named the baby elephant but will do so when we can think of a perfect name for him.