Injured baby elephant rescued from cassava plantation in Kanchanaburi
Fragile young elephant fights for survival under close monitoring
Locals rescued an injured baby elephant found in a cassava plantation in Kanchanaburi province on Saturday, September 20. The animal was successfully moved to the Wildlife Conservation Office in Suphan Buri for further care.
The community leader, Wiparat Sawatsai, told ThaiRath that residents had reported the elephant in their cassava plantation in Cha Lae sub-district, Thong Pha Phum district, on Saturday night.
One of the female elephants in the area had recently given birth, leading Wiparat to warn locals not to enter the plantation for the safety of both the animals and the people.
The plantation owner and other locals monitored the herd and later found that it had already moved on. When they inspected the plantation, they discovered the abandoned, injured baby elephant.
According to Wiparat, the calf was covered in ants and extremely exhausted. The young female had an injury to her hind legs and was unable to stand unaided.
Wiparat coordinated with officials from the Conservation Area Administration Office 3 (Ban Pong) and Lam Khlong Ngu National Park to transport the injured calf for further treatment. Officials fed the elephant milk and named her “Khao Tom”, meaning rice porridge.
Khao Tom was transferred to the Wildlife Conservation Office in Suphan Buri, arriving safely at around 4pm yesterday, September 22, where specialists took over her care.
A preliminary assessment revealed that the calf was weak, unable to walk, and showing signs of pain in her hips, hind legs and tail. Inflammation was also found in her navel and genitals. Veterinarians immediately administered medication to reduce pain and swelling.
The baby elephant is currently able to drink rice water mixed with powdered milk, but has not urinated or defecated as of last night. Officials are closely monitoring her condition.
Channel 3 reported that a veterinary team from Kasetsart University’s Kamphaeng Saen campus would conduct further tests on Khao Tom on Tuesday, September 23, and prepare a treatment plan.
Prathom Haenklang, a wild elephant behaviour expert from the Elephant Guardian Foundation (EGF), told ThaiRath that Khao Tom was likely born to a 20 year old elephant named Suksan. The mother is believed to have abandoned the calf due to her poor health.
According to Prathom, Suksan is a member of a herd of around 30 elephants that formerly lived in Tha Khanoon sub-district, Thong Pha Phum district, before moving closer to the area where Khao Tom was discovered three to four years ago.
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