Baby elephant Khao Tom: Fighting for survival in Thailand!

Baby elephant Khao Tom: Fighting for survival in Thailand!

A tragic story from the heart of Thailand: The baby elephant Khao Tom, just 24 hours old, was found on a cassava plantation, seriously injured and alone. The discovery happened on September 22nd when rangers tracked down the helpless calf in the thicket. The poor creature had apparently been rejected by its mother and showed few signs of life. How Picture Reportedly, Khao Tom had infected wounds on his hind legs and was immediately taken to Bueng Chawak Wildlife Center where a dedicated veterinary team led by Dr. Natthanon Panpetch did everything in his power to save the little elephant's life.

Khao Tom's health was initially alarming. He suffered several life-threatening hypoglycemia and had little strength to lift his head or stand. First aid consisted of rice mucus before he was given special infant formula and elephant breast milk from other camps. In the last few weeks, the baby elephant has slowly made progress. “He is now drinking milk and taking in water, his blood and stool values ​​are unremarkable,” said the veterinarians 20 minutes to read.

Therapeutic measures and progress

Khao Tom receives 24-hour care and the therapeutic measures used to treat his injuries are extensive. He wears leg braces and uses a support frame to train his balance and muscles. Treatment includes joint stretches, ultrasound therapy, and even peripheral magnetic stimulation. This is already having an effect: little Khao Tom can now stand more securely and move more coordinated, reports Picture.

Although the little elephant's general condition is stable and he is making measurable progress, the question remains whether Khao Tom will ever be able to return to freedom. His mother has apparently broken away from her herd to look for him, but whether the two will find each other again is anyone's guess.

A look at the bigger picture

Khao Tom's story is part of a complex problem in Thailand, where elephants often suffer difficult circumstances. Many of them are victims of the tourism industry, timber harvesting or forced propagation. Facilities like the Elephant Nature Park (ENP) are actively committed to protecting these majestic animals. They offer visitors the opportunity to marvel at elephants in an idyllic setting and at the same time draw attention to the grievances in elephant husbandry. How on Future for Elephants explains, plans to relocate elephants to large, fenced areas for a "semi-wild" life are well underway. It is hoped that Khao Tom and other elephants will one day be able to benefit from these new opportunities.