59-05-032 Proceeding

236 Proceedings of the Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn Congress ELEPHANT AND LANDMINE: CURRENT SITUATION IN THAILAND Sayam Aroonsrimorakot 1,2 , Preecha Phuangkum 2 , and Soraida Salwala 2 1 Mahidol University, President of FAE 2 Friends of the Asian Elephant Foundation Abstract : Many elephants have faced the problemof landmine during the past decades due towars in the bordering areas of Thailand; no matter the neighboring area of Myanmar, Cambodia and Lao PDR. However, there are no reports detailing injuries incurred by elephants from landmine. Friends of the Asian Elephant Foundation patronizes those elephants and has been monitoring the issue. The foundation learned that more than 100 timber elephants from Thailand are sent for timbering in Myanmar each year. Fifteen injured elephants trapped by landmine have been remedied at Elephant Hospital since 1999 (B.E. 2542). Out of those, four passed away; eight were returned to their owners; two, preferred by owners, have been hand-raised to Friends of the Asian Elephant Foundation; one were ransomed by the foundation. Elephants suffering fromuntreatable injuries or death have not been reported. In fact, elephant injured from landmine, still calf and not seriously wounded, for instance, damages not more than 25% of sole, the symptom can usually be treated.The elephant can use the injured foot almost normal motionwithin about 1 - 2 years. In case of profound injuries, elephant carpal bone will be destroyed to ankle. After the wound heals, the elephant cannot use that foot anymore as it will be shorter and cannot support its massive weight. Elephant and Landmine: Current Situation in Thailand and Neighboring Countries Guidelines of Healing Elephant Elephants trapped by landmine are generally treated with the same method. 1. Infection Control 1.1 Elephant body - Systemic: Use antibiotic in the morning and evening for 7 days with analgesic to reduce inflammation for 7 days - Local: 1. Dipping feet for 30 minutes, morning and evening 2. wound cleansing with disinfectant and spray with powder repellent to prevent botflies. - Inject tetanus vaccine Remark Swab to process culture and sensitivity on possible samples which antibiotics and pathogen will respond to treatment at Northern Diagnostic Center