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On 22 November 2009 we rescued Ratee
(which means "night time") from Surin are and brought
her to Elephant Nature Park. Ratee [age 35] was injured
during a breeding program when her owner took her in
Southern Thailand some four months ago. Ratee received
injuries on her hind quarters, especially her left hip
and knee, and generally all around her body including
many wounds from hooks and knives. Her last mahout said
that 3 months ago, after her injuries, she could not
walk or even lift her legs. Both rear legs would drag as
she walked, and several times she fell over. Even now
her legs drag somewhat. Her left eye is totally damaged
and blind, while her right eye has about 60 percent
reduced vision. She has serious mental issues,
evidenced by moaning, a blank stare, continuous
drooling, a listless trunk, and constant swaying; she
panics easily and cowers fearfully at everything around
her, including approaching elephants. She had a long 22
hour journey from Surin, but now she is resting at the
Park where she will have the best care that we can
provide to her.
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