NEWS AC Injured elephant Thailand update

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THE BANGKOK POST Monday August 28, 2006

 

LANDMINE INJURY: Animal lovers mark milestone in treatment of injured jumbo

 

The Friends of the Asian Elephant Foundation will today mark the seventh

anniversary of the treatment of Pung Motala, a cow elephant whose left

forefoot was blown off when she stepped on a landmine in a Burmese forest in

1999.

 

She was admitted to the Elephant Hospital in Lampang's Hang Chat district,

where a team of veterinarians amputated her leg and fitted her with a

prosthesis - a canvas, shoe-like device - last year.

 

Soraida Salwala, the foundation secretary-general, said that over the last

seven years the hospital has been treating the elephant's leg wound, which

has now healed almost completely.

 

The tissue around her stump has begun to grow back.

 

Ms Soraida said vets were satisfied with the health of the elephant, which

is improving gradually.

 

She eats a lot and has grown plump, has adjusted well to the artificial limb

and hopefully will be able to walk on four legs again soon, Ms Soraida said.

 

The elephant's ordeal drew media attention worldwide, and donations towards

Motala's treatment at the hospital began pouring in to the Friends of the

Asian Elephant Foundation.

 

" It has cost over one million baht to treat Motala for the past seven years.

About four million baht in donations, in a special bank account for Motala,

has been invested in government bonds for use in future treatment, " she

said.

 

The results of the treatment of other injured elephants and details of the

foundation's activities and performances will also be released.

 

Ms Soraida said the foundation aims to tell donors who have funded the

treatment of Motala that their money has been well spent.

 

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Merritt Clifton

Editor, ANIMAL PEOPLE

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Clinton, WA 98236

 

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