India is quite famous because of its love for nature and wildlife. According to Hindu philosophy (which is the primary religion in India), animals should be treated with kindness, and lots of them are represented in the form of deities too. Therefore, when the country opened the first-ever elephant hospital back in 2018, it sent surges of joy across the world. And the good news is that some months after its opening, this facility has successfully treated 26 elephants.
The hospital is located in Uttar Pradesh and was established by an animal welfare group called Wildlife SOS. It's a non-profit organization which is involved in the task of saving wild animals in India. It's been active since the year 1995. The group not only helps pachyderms but they've also helped bears, leopards, turtles, and different kinds of endangered species too.
The problem with elephants in India comes because of their popularity among tourists. Because of the Western representation of India as a magical and exotic land, elephants have gained exceptional value. Due to this stereotyping, lots of people still believe that Indians ride elephants and, therefore, they also want to share their experience when they come to India. That leads to the abuse of the mammal that is used in riding camps, circuses, temples, and for various reasons by the tourism industry. Elephant abuse is rampant in India and neglecting causes rising complications of diseases among the elephant population. Therefore, the hospital has come as a ray of light for them.
When a saved elephant is brought into the medical center, they undergo a complete evaluation by a veterinarian. As most of those elephants are suffering from malnutrition and neglect, they've developed debilitating physical issues. The medical center is, therefore, focused on treating old and injured elephants. It's all the modern equipment needed for a proper analysis of their physical conditions. They have digital radiology, pathology lab, ultrasound, laser therapy, hydrotherapy pool, as well as a special medical hoist to properly lift those large animals and put them in the treatment area. When a general check-up is required, they've got jumbo-sized digital weight scales and other necessary laboratory capabilities.
The Wildlife SOS Elephant Hospital homes a portable X-Ray machine, and they also have special foot-care tools. As many diseased elephants need overnight observation, the medical center is fitted with infrared cameras so veterinarians can monitor their patient the whole night.
Holly is one such patient of the hospital. She used to be a street-riding elephant, and she was kept poorly by her owner. She's blind. When she first arrived in the hospital, her body was almost entirely covered with untreated abscesses. Malnutrition has caused arthritis in her hind legs. She needed medical support and that too fast, but her owner didn't believe it was required.
Holly is being treated well in the hospital. A group of veterinarians is trying to treat her painful arthritis by using therapeutic ultrasonography and cold laser therapy. They're also treating the abscesses every day and trying to keep her healthy by giving her the right amount of nutritious food.
After their treatment, the large mammals are taken to Wildlife SOS’s two elephant sanctuaries in India: The Elephant Rescue Centre in Yamunanagar and The Elephant Conservation and Care Centre in Mathura. These elephants can thus spend the rest of their lives in peace and under proper protection.
Abused animals need our help, and Wildlife SOS is doing their best to prevent it. We need to do our part too and call out any animal abuse that takes place. Animals are our neighbors, our friends. We should treat them with the same love and respect.
Reference: Truth Theory
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