In this video, we will witness the treatment of a male elephant that fell into a trap set for wild boars in the forest, resulting in injuries. The elephant’s left front leg is swollen, and there is an abscess on the other side.
Evidence suggests that the elephant has sustained injuries all over its body, likely caused by bullet fragments that have now formed abscesses. It is presumed that these injuries occurred in the forest, but remarkably, the elephant managed to limp its way to a nearby village. Despite its condition, the elephant remains surprisingly calm, staying close by and maintaining a vigilant presence, unlike most wild elephants that tend to exhibit skittish behavior.
This is how these intelligent animals seek assistance. A compassionate villager will inform the wildlife officers, as mentioned earlier. As previously explained, the injuries were caused by a “trap gun.” Trap guns are locally made shotguns with a mechanism triggered by the victim. While these guns are illegal, they are predominantly used for hunting bushmeat and protecting crops and livestock from potential harm by wild animals. The initial task for the wildlife team is to sedate the elephant.
Sedation is necessary because wild elephants are dangerous, and it would be challenging to treat an injured wild elephant while it is standing. The sedative drug is prepared after careful observation of the elephant, with the dosage determined based on its body weight. By closely observing the elephant, the veterinarian can estimate its body weight and prepare the medication accordingly. Overdosing could cause the elephant to collapse or even die, while under-dosing might result in insufficient sedation for administering medicine.
The sedative is loaded into the blowpipe of the tranquilizer gun or dart gun, and it is then shot at the elephant. This method is gentle and virtually silent, minimizing agitation in animals while delivering sedatives or anesthesia. As soon as the elephant feels the dart, it turns toward the people and begins charging, mistaking it as a threat. However, the elephant is soon sedated, allowing the rescue team to approach safely.
Next, antibiotics and multivitamins are administered intramuscularly on the upper part of the rear leg. These medicines will enhance the elephant’s immune system to fight against infections and expedite the healing of wounds. The wounds are cleaned, and the veterinarian prepares a Povidone Iodine solution to spray on them. Antibiotics are sprayed on the abscess and other injuries on the body. Finally, a revival drug is given to reverse the effects of the tranquilizer. The elephant gradually makes its way back to the forest. When the next dose is due, the wildlife team will locate the elephant for further treatment.
