Story update - One day old baby elephant's health improving 23 Oct 07 Update on the arrival of a new born elephant and traumatized mother.

 

Day 4 We were all concerned that the newcomer would lapse into despair and lose her life force. Abandoned and afraid of her surroundings, in poor health and covered in searing cuts there seemed little hope. The park put her on a 24 hour watch with volunteers from around the globe mucking in.

Volunteers have played a crucial part in helping this young elephant recover. No one appreciates it more than me. Lek

Volunteers helping her to stand

This, as yet unnamed, female infant elephant is just a few days old. She has been give a 20% chance of survival by visiting vets and seems to have lost the will to live. Volunteers have been tasked with feeding her and, under park staff supervision, have helped her on her feet in an attempt to have her stand on her own. It is crucial that she stands up as this is the natural state for an infant elephant. To keep lying on the hard earth signals defeat and we fear that she would slip away. The previous three days were such a strain on all involved and our supporters from around the world. After numerous attempts to lift her we have noticed severe balance problems and the soles of her tiny feet cause her pain that makes her scream out.

We nurse her all night, offering whatever comfort we can in an effort to give the infant confidence and a will to fight. All previous efforts have been in vain as she shows no real effort. Then, as we take a break, she stumbles on to her own front feet and eases her scarred body up. She tumbles, then tries again to stand. This time she succeeds and, for a short time, finds new confidence. Since then she has received a lot of visitors. The herd have been taking turns to check out the new comer and the older female elephants are queuing up to stroke her with their trunks. Finally the hard work and dedication of our team and volunteers seems to be paying off. More reports soon.

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