Telegraph.co.uk
An orphaned baby Asian elephant crippled by a poacher's snare can now walk again thanks to an incredible jumbo-sized false foot.
The team cut off 12cm of infected tissue, cleaned his wounds and slowly nursed the poor elephant back to health Photo: CATERS
Chhouk, three, was discovered roaming the forests alone in the Sprepok Wilderness area of Cambodia after his front left foot was caught in the trap.
The foot had become infected and the little Nellie was found by conservationists severely malnourished and barely able to stand.
Chhouk, three, was discovered roaming the forests alone in the Sprepok Wilderness area of Cambodia after his front left foot was caught in the trap.
The foot had become infected and the little Nellie was found by conservationists severely malnourished and barely able to stand.
His heartbroken rescuers feared he would never walk again.
But now, as these incredible pictures show, Chhouk is putting his best foot forward thanks to his new pachyderm-sized prosthetic.
Nick Marx, director of the Wildlife Alliance's Cambodian rescue centre, said he had never seen an animal in a worse state of health.
He said: "When I first saw him I immediately wished I was not the one who had been asked to rescue him
"I was certain Chhouk would not survive, he was so sick and thin.
"It is a miracle he was found in time, he would probably have been dead the next day."
The team cut off 12cm of infected tissue, cleaned his wounds and slowly nursed the poor elephant back to health.
After having the animal checked over, the Wildlife Alliance and the WWF quickly arranged for Chhouk to be sent on an 26-hour journey to a rescue centre in Phnom Tamao, Cambodia, for treatment.
Because of heavy poaching, Chhouk is one of fewer than 300 Asian elephants remaining in Cambodia.
The elephant was off balance due to his missing foot, his right leg bowing out, making it almost impossible for him to walk.
Due to the enormous strain being put of one side of his body Chhouk would have developed bone deformities, particularly to his spine so a false foot was crucial.
X-rays were taken of his foot to make sure there were no problems with the rest of his leg and a cast was made of the stump.
The Cambodian School of Prosthetics and Orthotics were contacted to make Chhouk the false foot that would help the elephant walk freely.
Chhouk needed no anaesthetic or painkillers when the prosthetic limb – which will need changing as he grows – was attached, a few turnips and bananas did the trick.
Nick said it was the plucky elephant's fighting spirit that made the difference in his recovery.
He said: "Our keepers and vets have done a fantastic job, he is now healthy and happy.
"Fortunately Chhouk is also blessed with a fighting spirit himself and without this he may well not have made it.
"There had been talk that we might need to sedate Chhouk while we fit the prosthetic limb but this proved unnecessary.
"Chhouk remained fully conscious throughout while I fed him a steady stream of turnips and bananas."
Now, the plucky jumbo has had a new lease of life and has even been adopted by a 10-year-old female elephant named Lucky.
The two elephants now spend all their time together and enjoy splashing in the water pool in their enclosure at Phnom Tamao.
Nick said Chhouk is now looking healthy and has quickly adjusted to walking with his new foot.
"I cannot believe how well he has taken to it.
"Humans take time to adjust to this kind of thing, Chhouk did not need this.
"He just carried on as before, the prosthetic foot has not bothered him at all.
"It has made such a difference to his whole demeanour – he no longer stops to lie down and sleep when he is out on his walks, he is full of energy.
"Not only has it helped him physically but it has helped him psychologically too."
But now, as these incredible pictures show, Chhouk is putting his best foot forward thanks to his new pachyderm-sized prosthetic.
Nick Marx, director of the Wildlife Alliance's Cambodian rescue centre, said he had never seen an animal in a worse state of health.
He said: "When I first saw him I immediately wished I was not the one who had been asked to rescue him
"I was certain Chhouk would not survive, he was so sick and thin.
"It is a miracle he was found in time, he would probably have been dead the next day."
The team cut off 12cm of infected tissue, cleaned his wounds and slowly nursed the poor elephant back to health.
After having the animal checked over, the Wildlife Alliance and the WWF quickly arranged for Chhouk to be sent on an 26-hour journey to a rescue centre in Phnom Tamao, Cambodia, for treatment.
Because of heavy poaching, Chhouk is one of fewer than 300 Asian elephants remaining in Cambodia.
The elephant was off balance due to his missing foot, his right leg bowing out, making it almost impossible for him to walk.
Due to the enormous strain being put of one side of his body Chhouk would have developed bone deformities, particularly to his spine so a false foot was crucial.
X-rays were taken of his foot to make sure there were no problems with the rest of his leg and a cast was made of the stump.
The Cambodian School of Prosthetics and Orthotics were contacted to make Chhouk the false foot that would help the elephant walk freely.
Chhouk needed no anaesthetic or painkillers when the prosthetic limb – which will need changing as he grows – was attached, a few turnips and bananas did the trick.
Nick said it was the plucky elephant's fighting spirit that made the difference in his recovery.
He said: "Our keepers and vets have done a fantastic job, he is now healthy and happy.
"Fortunately Chhouk is also blessed with a fighting spirit himself and without this he may well not have made it.
"There had been talk that we might need to sedate Chhouk while we fit the prosthetic limb but this proved unnecessary.
"Chhouk remained fully conscious throughout while I fed him a steady stream of turnips and bananas."
Now, the plucky jumbo has had a new lease of life and has even been adopted by a 10-year-old female elephant named Lucky.
The two elephants now spend all their time together and enjoy splashing in the water pool in their enclosure at Phnom Tamao.
Nick said Chhouk is now looking healthy and has quickly adjusted to walking with his new foot.
"I cannot believe how well he has taken to it.
"Humans take time to adjust to this kind of thing, Chhouk did not need this.
"He just carried on as before, the prosthetic foot has not bothered him at all.
"It has made such a difference to his whole demeanour – he no longer stops to lie down and sleep when he is out on his walks, he is full of energy.
"Not only has it helped him physically but it has helped him psychologically too."
1 comment:
Thanks to help his live.
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