New Delhi (NVI): 25-year-old ‘Zara’ is suffering from severe handicap including foot ailments and osteoarthritis. At 2000 kilograms, she is highly underweight and is in extremely poor health due to severe neglect, complete lack of medical attention in the past, coupled with years of poor nutrition.
Elephant Hospital in Mathura, first of its kind in the country, established by Wildlife SOS has come forward to help Zara who to recover from the poor condition that has led to her lameness and stunted growth.
Due to the Zara’s rapidly deteriorating health and illness, she was rushed for treatment to the Wildlife SOS Elephant Hospital to meet her urgent medical needs. Upon her arrival, she was subjected to a detailed medical examination which revealed her severe medical issues including her debilitated body condition, said Wildlife SOS.
“The preliminary veterinary assessment carried out by Wildlife SOS veterinarians confirms that Zara elephant who is around 25 years old is suffering from severe handicap including foot ailments, abnormal forelimb conformation, osteoarthritis, stunted body confirmation,” the nonprofit organisation said in a statement.
She will require long term care and specialized treatment along with other medical procedures like Laser Therapy, Hydrotherapy treatment, Digital Radiology, Thermal Imaging etc.
Dr Pramod Rajput, Veterinarian at the Wildlife SOS Elephant Hospital said, “The elephant is suffering from severe handicap caused by arthritis and resulting in difficulty in bearing weight on forelimbs. We are monitoring her progress while we conduct some more health examinations.”
Raghunath Mishra, DFO Mathura said, “The elephant is in weak condition. She has been sent to the Wildlife SOS Elephant Hospital where she will get the best medical care possible.”
Kartick Satyanarayan, co-founder & CEO Wildlife SOS said, “The Elephant Hospital in Mathura was established in collaboration with the Uttar Pradesh Forest Department. Over thirty elephants have received medical help at the hospital. Zara elephant’s chronic medical condition is a classic case of what kind of elephants are under our medical care. Zara will benefit from the specialized medical equipment and veterinary care provided at the Elephant Hospital.”
Geeta Seshamani, Co-founder & Secretary of Wildlife SOS said, “To see Zara suffering from such crippling injuries at such an early age is heartbreaking. One can only imagine the extent of physical and emotional stress she must have endured. Zara requires a stress-free environment and a lot of medical attention with round-the-clock care to help her on her path to recovery.”
Baiju Raj M.V, Director – Conservation Projects, Wildlife SOS said, “The Elephant Hospital’s goal is to provide specialized & critical care for elephants in distress. Under the dedicated care of our veterinarians, Zara can finally get the medical attention she needs and deserves.”
India’s very first Elephant Hospital in Mathura established by Wildlife SOS in collaboration with the Uttar Pradesh Forest Department is providing specialized medical care for several ailing and sick elephants.
-ARK
