Elephant Nature Park
Grandmother Elephant falls
Thong Bai's amazing survival Aug 06 - By Lek Chailert
| Thong Bai our granny has lived an incredible 96
years.
On early morning of Friday 29 July 06, at 4 am,
park mahout Zorns, heard screaming from Thong Bai's best
friend, Mae Mai. They found Thong Bai
laying on the ground with Mae Mai desperately trying to
lift Thong Bai with her head and trunk.
We woke up all mahouts to help to lift her up and
finally Thong Bai can stand back again, She started
to eat which we saw as a good sign.
At 09 30 am Thong Bai and Mae Mai started to walk
across
the field to eat the grass around their shelter, but by
10 am she lay down again in the mud. She closed her eyes
and we let her rest. About one hour later she tried to
lift her head and stand up with Mae Mai desperately trying to push
her up, but Thong Bai was too weak. She did not have the
energy to stand. |
Elephant Nature Park try to help Thong Bai stand up |
Our vets Dr Prasit and Dr Daniel checked her heart beat and
blood pressure which they declared in the good condition. We
decide to gave her an IV with more glucose and vitamins to help
her recover. This continued for 4 hours and we then tried to
lift her up but she can not stand because her legs are to
weakened to stand.
Every time while we want to move her and massage her muscle ,
Mae Mai protected her and stayed with her all the time. We could
see the deep bond of love and care as Mae Mai caressed her with
her trunk to comfort Thong Bai. She talked with her and touched
at her face, eyes and belly. She stood across Thong Bai's limp
body in an attempt to protect her when the vet put the needle
into Thong Bai. She stood with tears and talked to Thong Bai as
she used her trunk try to help Thong Bai to stand.
The heavy rains fell on Mae Mai as she towered over her sick
friend. When the strong sun shone she spray cool sand over Thong
Bai. The mahout have brought grass for Mae Mae but she grabbed
the grass to put in front of Thong Bai. It was amazing to see
how this elephant show this love, care and loyalty to each
other.
Our Mahout and all staff at the park worked hard piling heaps
of sand to dry the area where Thong Bai lay down. .We tried many
ways to lift her up. At 11 20 pm we succeeded in helping Thong
Bai to stand again. We used a pulley and belt to support her.
When Thong Bai stood up , Mae Mai placed her trunk on Thong Bai
head and giggled with relief.
Since the morning of 29th July Mae Mai never left her side.
We believe the love from Mae Mai gave Thong Bai the will to live
Our staff and team are working around the clock to make soft
nutritious fibrous foods to make Thong Bai stronger and keep her
at the park as long as we can.
|
