Elephants are among the smartest animals on the planet. They are highly social and absolutely beautiful creatures! The gentle giants are known for their memories and the interaction that they have with humans. They are some of the most unique animals on the planet.
Elephants and humans have a long and complicated relationship.
Humans and elephants have cohabitated in the same regions for a very long time. From Africa to India, we have been in proximity to the grey giants for millennia. As a result, we have learned to live next to and with them! Nowhere is this more evident than in Southeast Asia. To own an elephant was a sign of wealth and success.
Riding elephants is an ancient tradition used in ceremonies and for labor.
Working together, humans and elephants have learned to live with one another. In some places, however, they are mistreated and abused. In others, they are killed and used for ivory. Thankfully, not all humans are like that. There are some who are devoted to helping these awesome creatures survive!
One hospital in Thailand treats a special guest list – elephants!
In Thailand, there is a hospital that only treats Asian elephants! Built in 1993, the hospital is devoted to the care and rehabilitation of our giant friends.
Some of the “guests” are visiting for minor injuries and others are permanent residents.
While many injuries only require a bit of care, some require a lifetime of treatment. One elephant had a horrible event happen to it, but thankfully, these amazing people have a solution.
This elephant stepped on a landmine while in the forest.
With the wars that have been fought in Southeast Asia, there are still remnants of the gruesome past. Sadly, one elephant had a brush with one of these remnants. While walking, he stepped on a landmine and lost his front right leg.
The hospital took him in and gave him a home.
This elephant is one of those “permanent residents.” Due to the nature of his injury, he couldn’t survive in the wild. The hospital decided to come up with a clever solution to help him get around, though.
A big animal needs a big prosthetic!
The hospital built their own prosthetic leg! In what has to be a world record, the Thai doctors build a leg that hooks on to the animal’s leg and allows him to walk.
As they place the leg on the stump, you can tell the elephant is used to the process.
The gentle creature sits and allows the humans to put the leg on. It is an amazing sight to see such a massive yet gentle creature sit and allow the help of “us little humans.”
You can see how much the people care for the creatures through how they talk.
At the end of the video, the lead worker is asked if he enjoys what he does. As a huge grin graces his face, he nods and says what his face already shows.
“I love elephants! It touches my heart to work with them.”
Check out the incredible video below!
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