(IN): Animals get new lease of life

July 19, 2007

*Animals get new lease of life*

Nandagopal Nair

Wednesday, July 18, 2007 (Thrissur)

If you thought artificial legs and cosmetic add-ons were meant only for

humans think again. Two brothers in Thrissur in Kerala have been using their

expertise in prosthetics to give animals a new lease of life.

A year ago Devanarayanan (name of elephant) lost one of his tusks because of

infection. In elephant-crazy Kerala this meant a loss of status for the

18-year-old and his owner, the tusker could no longer be considered for

temple ceremonies.

Sushantan and Santosh two brothers from Thrissur decided to step in to

rescue Devanarayanan from this ignominy. Using their knowledge of

prosthetics they fitted the elephant with a brand new tusk.

''The original tusk was very long, so you could not make anything out of

wood. It would have been very heavy. To reduce the weight we made it out of

fibre. We took a mould and fitted the elephant with an artificial tusk in

three months time,'' said Sushantan, Kit Cat Prosthetics Centre.

*Family tradition*

Making artificial limbs is a family tradition for Sushantan and Santosh.

Their forefathers used to fashion artificial limbs out of wood.

The brothers learnt the art from their father and trained at Jaipur and

Bangalore but animal prosthetics was quite a jump even for them.

They took it up as a challenge in 2002 when a veterinary doctor suggested

that they make an artificial limb for a cow that had undergone an

amputation. The cow survived.

''Compared to a human leg, the cow's leg has a limited range of movements.

We will not be able to get them to run around. They will be able to stand

and take a few steps,'' said Sushantan.

Prosthetic limbs for cows and prosthetic tusks for elephants, the brothers

have indeed entered uncharted territory but what is even more remarkable, is

their deep-seated affection and love for animals.

--

Fight captive Jumbo abuse, end Elephant Polo

Recommended Posts