March 2014 Update From the Field

In our January 2014 newsletter, AES announced our 3 year commitment to the

Veterinary Society for Sumatran Wildlife Conservation (VESSWIC). We would like to

share an update on a couple of elephant projects from our VESSWIC partners.

The Sumatran elephant is listed by the International Union for Conservation of Nature

(IUCN) as critically endangered, but every birth gives us hope for the future of this

species. On January 16, 2014 at the Way Kambas Elephant Conservation Center, the

elephant Mela, gave birth to a healthy male calf weighing approximately 200 pounds.

This was Mela’s second calf.Unfortunately, she attacked and killed her first calf in 2011

immediately after it was born. This time she was a bit nervous, but remained

reasonably calm towards the calf. After a short time she accepted the calf and allowed

it to nurse. Two months later, she has adapted well to her role as a mother and the calf

is doing well.

Back in November 2013, a female calf was rescued from the wild with a serious wire

snare injury to her front left leg. VESSWIC provided the medical supplies for her

treatment and is also providing food and milk supplements. They are happy to report

that the calf, named Yekti, is also doing well.

Human-elephant conflict (HEC) is still a growing problem for both humans and elephant

in Sumatra, Indonesia. In January VESSWIC Elephant Healthcare Program

veterinarians assisted the Nature Conservation Agency and Frankfurt Zoological

Society and fitted two wild elephants with GPS collars. This is part of an HEC

monitoring program that is being conducted in the Bukit Tiga Puluh forest area in the

province of Jambi.

By working together, we can make a difference in the health, welfare, and conservation

of elephants in Asian range countries. AES is proud to support these dedicated

individuals who are working hard every day.

Update from the Mobile Vet Clinic - August 2023

CMU Vet Staff at the National Elephant Conference

The Chiang Mai University mobile veterinary unit had a busy month in August! The vet team was able to attend the 2023 National Elephant Conference in Lampang. Elephant nutrition, the EEHV situation in Thailand, how to care for orphaned baby elephants, and blood donation in elephants were among the topics covered in lectures and informational sessions for elephant health by veterinarians.

 
The Center recently depleted their blood plasma collection due to recent cases of EEHV. Blood plasma is very beneficial to have on hand for elephants who have low blood protein (hypoproteinemia), low blood albumin (hypoalbuminemia), ascites, loss of protein from any other issues, and blood loss (like in the case of EEHV). So, the search was on for an elephant donor! Thankfully, the Baan Chang Elephant Park
gave permission to collect the blood from an elephant donor named ParnWaad. This elephant reached all the criteria for an ideal blood donor. The team was able to collect 12 bags of blood that was then separated into plasma. Unfortunately, that afternoon they received a call for use of these plasma bags on a current patient with liver problems, severe low blood protein, and low albumin.

ParnWaad the elephant, donating blood

The CMU team received a call about a two month-old calf who fell down a hill and refused to take her medicine! They had to improvise to combine topical painkillers, walking restrictions, and laser therapy to minimize the inflammation. The calf was difficult to treat with laser therapy since she couldn’t stay still for very long. The calf’s symptoms were substantially better and almost back to normal after 1 week of
treatments.

 

The two month old calf

Later in the month, they received a call from an owner to see an elephant that presented chin and ventral edema. The vet performed a physical examination and mild ventral chin swelling was found. But, the ventral abdominal swelling was not obviously seen. They collected blood to check and to rule out the problem of hypoproteinemia (low levels of blood protein). The blood result was in normal range. The mahout was instructed to make a hot herbal pressure for the area. She was getting better and then recovered in a week!

Chin Edema

In total, the CMU Mobile Veterinary Unit received about 11 cases in the month of August spanning from musculoskeletal issues to wound care.

YOU can help support the CMU Mobile Veterinary Clinic to continue supporting elephants in need of medical care by donating to Asian Elephant Support at:
www.asianelephantsupport.org/donate or via Venmo @asianelephantsupport.

Update on Baby Mocha

Mocha on arrival

On May 14, 2023, there was a strong cyclone named Mocha in western Myanmar. A little orphan calf was found that day and thus named after the cyclone. 
 
We are happy to report that baby Mocha is thriving under the care of our partners at an elephant camp in Yangon. Can you tell a difference between when she arrived and now? 
 
We are proud to support our partners in Myanmar who always have the care and future of Asian elephants as their first priority.
 
HELP us provide support for supplemental formula for Mocha and other orphaned calves by donating today.  

  Mocha today

AES Building Relationships at AAZK 2023

Recently, two of our board members made the trek to Akron, Ohio for the American Association of Zookeepers (AAZK) Conference. This year we joined the AAZK as an official Conservation Partner. Many attendees to the conference stopped by the AES exhibitor table to chat and purchase some merchandise.  

At the conference our board members met with the AAZK board to discuss opportunities and additional ways to collaborate. We are  excited to grow our relationship with AAZK! 

A huge trunks-up to the AAZK board of directors and the Akron AAZK Chapter for their great hospitality and a successful conference! 
 

AES Directors, Mary and Mindy, making connections at Asian Elephant Support's conference table

Update from the Mobile Vet Clinic

The Chiang Mai University (CMU) Mobile Vet Clinic answered a call regarding a young female elephant with a broken tush (in female Asian elephants, their small tusks are referred to as a tush or tushes). The owner explained that the elephant likes to use her tushes to strip off tree bark. Upon examination, the veterinary team noticed a bad smell coming from the tush area with some swelling. They also noticed that the remaining part of her broken tush was pointy which was rubbing the soft tissue of her tusk cavity (or sulcus), which was the reason behind the swelling. The veterinary team flushed the sulcus with hydrogen peroxide, rinsed with saline, and administered pain medication. The veterinarians also filed down the remaining tush so that it was not as sharp anymore. The team came back to visit three days later to make sure the elephant was improving. They were happy to see that the swelling had gone down!

ParnWaad the elephant, donating blood

YOU can help support the CMU Mobile Veterinary Clinic to continue supporting elephants in need of medical care, just like this young female with a broken tusk, by donating to Asian Elephant Support at: www.asianelephantsupport.org/donate or via Venmo @asianelephantsupport.

Update from the Mobile Vet Clinic - July 2023

Beginning in 2020, Asian Elephant Support committed funds to support the ongoing work of the Chiang Mai University Mobile Vet Clinic. This unit travels throughout northern Thailand to provide both preventative and emergency care for elephants in need. The staff from the unit regularly participates in educational opportunities to exchange knowledge with colleagues working to care for Asian elephants. We hope you continue to enjoy the updates we receive from our partners from the Mobile Vet Clinic and their work to uphold our mission to care for and conserve elephants in Thailand and across Asia. 

The Chiang Mai University’s Mobile Vet Clinic, including Dr. Eye and other veterinary staff were on the move as usual during the month of July.

The veterinary staff from various organizations conducting the health checks for the elephants of Chiang Mai

The crew worked with the Chiang Rai Provincial Livestock Office and the Thai Elephant Alliance to perform health checks on 42 elephants in five camps in the Chiang Rai province. Of the 42 elephants, all were reported to have excellent body condition, due to a seasonal abundance of food. The team did take additional time to treat several elephants, including a bull with a damaged tusk and infection. In this region, there are veterinarians from the Department of Livestock Development that will be able to provide follow-up care as prescribed. 

Veterinarians & mahouts work together to treat an elephant with a tusk infection

 This trip was followed by more health checks on a group of 11 elephants living in the Hauy Pak Kood village of the Mae Jam district.

All of the elephants were found to be in excellent health and the veterinary team only needed to provide preventative treatments for deworming and supplemental vitamins. While there, the team was excited to find a very cute surprise - a one-month old elephant calf!

 One-month old elephant at Hauy Pak Kood Village

During the first week in July, the CMU Mobile Clinic team followed up with a few elephants in the Mae Wang area that they treated back in June. The two elephants who were treated, one for an abscess on the trunk and the other for a wound on the belly, were both completely healed. After the follow up exam, the crew went to check on an elephant in the Mae Tang area that was suffering from lameness in her left front leg for one to two months. A thermal camera was used to look for areas of inflammation, which was found around the metacarpal (wrist) joint. The veterinarians performed laser therapy to the area and herbal massage, which is an effective traditional treatment. 

 Laser therapy being performed to help reduce inflammation & lameness for this elephant in Mae Tang

Later in the month, the veterinary team traveled to treat an elephant in Mae Wang displaying symptoms of abdominal pain. For four days, the owner said that the elephant’s feces had been smaller than usual, and the elephant was open mouth breathing and consistently standing up and sitting down. Upon examination, the doctor heard stomach sounds consistent with gastrointestinal issues, and the elephant was dehydrated.

Fluids were given as well as a pain reliever, vitamins and an enema. After an enema and examining the feces, the team suggested the elephant go directly to the hospital due to the hard dry fecal matter that was produced. They were concerned that the elephant couldn’t chew its fodder well and were afraid the hard feces was blocking the intestinal tract, which can be life-threatening and require continuous care and treatment. This is the fourth time she has experienced these issues. The prognosis for this elephant is guarded, but with the expert support of this veterinary team, we know they will do all they can to care for her.

An enema is performed at the elephant hospital to remove impacted feces in an effort to relieve pain & potentially save this elephant's life 

The CMU Mobile Vet Clinic wrapped up July by visiting a four-year old elephant calf in Mae Wang district who was suffering from diarrhea and not eating hay. The team was initially concerned these symptoms were indicative of Elephant Endotheliotropic Herpesvirus (EEHV) a deadly disease that impacts one in five young Asian elephants and can take their life within 48 hours of the onset of symptoms. Thankfully upon examination, the calf was not lethargic, nor did she have a fever or any hemorrhagic signs of EEHV. There were internal parasites seen in the feces, and the calf was interested in eating bamboo and drinking water. The veterinary team administered pain relievers and Vitamins B and C to stimulate her immune response. The following day, the calf’s mahout reported the elephant was feeling better!

As the year rolls on, so does the crew of the Chiang Mai University Mobile Vet Clinic, tirelessly providing life saving care to northern Thailand’s elephants. To show your support for this team, please donate so they can continue their invaluable work at www.asianelephantsupport.org/donate or via Venmo @asianelephantsupport. Thank you.

Introducing Project Dodam

Starting August 15, Asian Elephant Support is launching PROJECT DODAM and joining with the Sri Lanka Wildlife Conservation Society (SLWCS) to support their efforts to mitigate human-elephant conflict using a unique method to help protect both the people and elephants of Sri Lanka.

THE ISSUE:
The Sri Lankan people and elephants often compete to exist using the same habitat and resources. One elephant dies every day as a result of intensifying human-elephant conflict across the nation. Many of these deaths are because elephants are entering farmlands and raiding crops the community is growing to sustain themselves. The farmers fear for their lives and livelihoods when elephants move in and destroy all the crops the community needs to feed themselves and make a living. Communities feel they need to take action to stop the raid or prevent them from coming back, sometimes resulting in the death of an elephant.

THE SOLUTION:
Researched by the SLWCS, the organization has developed a way for farmers to provide for themselves and their families by growing citrus trees that elephants dislike and that mask the scent of other crops that are grown inside of the orchards. This variety of orange tree has a bitter rind and in fact is not the traditional orange color we associate with the fruit. It's GREEN! There are two components to making this plan work. The first is the immediate installation of electric fences surrounding farmlands to protect them and the people in the community. The second is working to grow the crops to the point where they can act as the permanent, natural barrier and allow for the removal of the electric fence, which can then be moved to a new location and used in the establishment of another orchard for a different community. It will take approximately three years for the trees to mature to the point where the fences can be removed.

Asian Elephant Support has already funded the portion required for the electrical fences. Now we need YOUR help for the rest! Join us in supporting SLWCS by raising the remaining $12,750 needed to complete this project and help the elephants and people of Sri Lanka! These funds will go to purchasing:

• Orange tree saplings

• Water pipes

• Water tanks

• Pump systems

• Miscellaneous planting equipment and tools

HOW TO SUPPORT:

PROJECT DODAM APPAREL - Available for a limited time!
From August 15th through September 17th, click here and purchase your exclusive Project Dodam gear! 100% of the proceeds from the sales will directly benefit Project Dodam. Choose from a variety of styles and colors and wear your support for the protection of Sri Lankan elephants!

Prices include FREE SHIPPING within the U.S.!

DONATE TO PROJECT DODAM
Is your closet already full? No worries. You can donate to Project Dodam via PayPal or credit card on our secure website. Your donations add up and will make this project a success. Here is how your generosity can be put to work:

$5 buys 4 orange trees (5,000 trees needed)

$10 buys 10 feet of water line (2,000 feet needed)

$40 buys the tools needed to plant and maintain the trees (25 sets needed)

$150 buys a water tank needed to store rain water in remote communities (5 tanks needed)

$275 buys a water pump to operate the system (10 pumps needed)

TO DONATE, CLICK HERE!
Make your donation by October 15th and help us to reach our goal to raise $12,750!
 

Additionally, now through October 15th, all donations made on Venmo will go directly to Project Dodam. So you can help save Sri Lankan elephants from your phone!

Join us in efforts to mitigate human-elephant conflict and help the people and elephants of Sri Lanka. Thank you!

AES Supports Workshop Focused on Conservation in Myanmar

With funding from Asian Elephant Support, the Elephant Emergency Response Unit (EERU) in Myanmar under the Myanma Timber Enterprise (MTE) recently held a three-day workshop. EERU staff and MTE veterinarians participated. Delegates listened to presentations from each EERU team, learned about Elephant Endotheliotropic Herpesvirus (EEHV) and forensic wildlife investigations from veterinarians, and learned, hands on, how to build electric fencing to prevent wild elephants from entering cropland as well as how to use cellphones to capture the best photographic evidence. 

Electrical current being tested on a fence designed to prevent crop raiding & Human-Elephant Conflict

 
Asian Elephant Support is grateful for the EERU teams in Myanmar who patrol and monitor areas to help prevent Human-Elephant Conflict. 

Members of the EERU in Myanmar

 
You can help AES sponsor workshops just like this one by donating here www.asianelephantsupport.org/donate or via Venmo @asianelephantsupport. Thank you!

Chiang Mai University's Mobile Vet Clinic - April 2023

At the start of April, the Chiang Mai University Mobile Vet Clinic teamed up with the Thai Elephant Conservation Center (TECC), the Asian Elephant Foundation of Thailand and the Department of Livestock Development to head to the areas of Tak and Omkoi to do elephant health checks on elephants that were returning with their owners to the area.

Each year in April, elephants from the region make their way home to Tak for the ritual of Rub Kwong Chang, known for helping the elephants and the Karen people live happy and prosperous lives, free from disease. The teams visited elephants in four districts of Tak and one district of Chiang Mai checking microchip numbers, administering anti-parasitic drugs and delivering other medical supplies, as well as giving advice on care and welfare to the mahouts. 

 Female elephant, with her calf by her side, receives an exam and anti-parasitic medication from Dr. Eye with the CMU Mobile Vet Clinic

The remainder of the month was spent in the areas of Mae Tang and Mae Wang visiting a number of elephants with a variety of ailments ranging from foot to gastrointestinal to eye problems.
 
On April 19, the team made a follow up visit to a bull elephant with a corneal abrasion and conjunctivitis in his right eye they had seen the previous month.

Bull elephant diagnosed with cataracts (or clouding of the eye lens) in his right eye has received ongoing care from the CMU Mobile Vet Clinic

At the last visit, the veterinarians had discovered damage to the elephant’s optic nerve, not rendering him blind, but still unable to see normally. Treatment for his condition included eye drops and vitamin B complex to maintain the bull’s nervous system. At this visit, the veterinarians discovered cataracts in his right eye. Since surgery is not an option, they suggested continuing the vitamin B and avoiding being out of the sun.
 
Next, the Mobile Clinic traveled to make another follow up visit to a female elephant in Mae Wang whom they had treated for a jaw abscess in March. The abscess is healing with proper cleaning being done by the mahout. However, since it is a large abscess below the skin it will take longer to heal. The wound remains open, allowing for discharge to continue to drain, and the elephant is otherwise healthy. The veterinarians administered a tetanus injection and advised the mahout to continue with wound care.  
 
To wrap up the month, the team visited an elephant who was suffering from a back ache for about two days. The veterinarians noted warm areas on the caudal (rear) region of the female’s back and she had a pain response during the physical examination.

CMU team used thermal imaging to diagnose and laser therapy to assist with pain relief for this elephant in Northern Thailand

The thermal camera was used in order to confirm the areas of inflammation. Treatment included laser therapy to the areas of swelling, in addition to massage oil and anti-inflammatory medication. 
 
To show your support for the tireless work of the CMU Mobile Vet Clinic and to celebrate World Veterinary Day, please visit our website to make a contribution.

The Trunk was Packed ...with Thanks!

This past January, AES President Linda Reifschneider, along with AES Volunteer Cynthia Christison, pointed Linda’s CRV southeast and began another road trip to say hello and thanks to some of AES’s wonderful supporters.
 
Their first stop was January 24th at ZooTampa at Lowry Park. It was great to say hello and thanks in person to Christi Reiter and Mike Burns. Linda first met Christi some years ago in St. Louis, and she has hosted a California Pizza Kitchen (CPK) fundraiser for AES ever since relocating to Tampa. Mike has been at Tampa ‘forever’ and stays amazingly slender (all that good elephant barn work?) in spite of the annual pizza pig out! Thank you Christi and Mike and all at ZooTampa who support AES every April with Pizza for Pachyderms!

(L-R) Elephant Enthusiast, Chris Wiberg,with AES Volunteer, Cynthia Christison, AES President, Linda Reifschneider and ZooTampa's Associate Curator of Elephants, Christi Reiter

On the 25th, Linda and Cynthia stopped by Dr. Mark Wilson’s Florida International Teaching Zoo. Always good to see what is new and going on there. His two very personable spotted hyenas, Charlie and Babe, are definitely Linda’s favorites. Then they all headed up to Two Tails Ranch for a visit and lunch in Williston with Dr. Mark and Two Tails owner Patricia Zerbini, who does an excellent elephant educational program for both school groups and the general public.
 

Jacksonville Zoo Team (L-R) Sabrina B., Shelby G., Amber G., Katie C., Corey N., Charley S., Zoey W., and Nicholas H.  

The 26th found Linda and Cynthia at the Jacksonville Zoo where they shared lots of hugs and smiles with so many friends who have had AES’s back annually hosting great CPK events. They had time to talk, a visit with the Zoo’s elephants and then spent the rest of the afternoon visiting the Asian area of their zoo and a most enjoyable train ride – a great way to end a most enjoyable day! Thanks to all at Jacksonville!

Linda (center) with Jacksonville Elephant Keeper, Susan H. & Sheena

 
Thanks to Nick Newby for a great visit and overview of the White Oak Conservation Center in Yulee, Florida on the 27th. After years of planning and construction, it was good to see how all the effort is coming together for the Asian elephants that have ‘unpacked their trunks’ at their new home. The remainder of the day was spent on the road with an evening destination in Macon, Georgia.
 

Cynthia (center) with Debbie & Nick from White Oak Conservation Center in Yulee, FL

The 28th was a full day at Zoo Atlanta and Linda and Cynthia could not have had a better host than Kelly Garner. It is always appreciated when AES is asked to give a presentation about how we came to be and the work we do. At Zoo Atlanta they had a great audience and a wonderful zoo visit, including a neat meet and greet with a charming lady-hippo!
 
Last day – January 29th – found Linda and Cynthia having lunch with Jennifer Wu at a lovely Indian restaurant. A good warm-up for Linda’s upcoming trip to Delhi, India, for the International Union for the Conservation of Nature’s Asian Elephant Specialist Group (thankfully usually written: IUCN AeSG!) meeting. Linda met Jennifer when the Nashville Zoo hosted the Elephant Managers Association Conference in 2015. She stepped up at that gathering and offered to be a host for our CPK event and hasn’t missed a year since, even though her career path has changed and her family has grown. Ahem, most recently by giving a forever home to a lucky Rizzy, a pooch in need that she offered to foster temporarily! One lucky pooch!

Linda with Jennifer Wu, a long-time supporter and host for Pizza for Pachyderms

 
The 30th they pointed the CRV toward St. Louis and another wonderful AES road trip will join the many before it and hopefully many still to come. Asian Elephant Support is so fortunate to have supporters all across the country. We could not be us without YOU! Thank you most sincerely for your dedication to the Today and Tomorrow of Asian elephants, of all elephants! And, thanks again, to Cynthia Christison for always being ready to pack a suitcase and keep Linda company as they rack up more miles saying hello and thank you to so many wonderful friends!

You Came, You Ate, You Raised Over $14,500 in the Fight Against EEHV

Trunks Up! go to the staff of Your Pie Grant Park & CPK restaurants across the U.S. for their hospitality

On April 25th & 26th, thousands of AES supporters across the United States came out for Pizza for Pachyderms 2023. We had 27 California Pizza Kitchen and the Atlanta, Georgia Your Pie restaurants host us for this event to help raise money in the battle against Elephant Endotheliotropic Herpesvirus (EEHV). 

Young elephant enthusiasts enjoy pizza at CPK Tampa

While we are waiting for additional contributions to come in, our initial calculations indicate we raised over $14,500 to help fund both research and the treatment of elephants with the deadly disease in Asia.

Friends & docents at CPK St. Louis

Help us make it to $15,000!
Donate before May 31st and you can still make an impact on the fight against EEHV.

Click here to donate!

Los Angeles AAZK Chapter members & keepers grab a bite at CPK Burbank

We have so many people to thank for supporting and getting the word out about the event. These friends and organizations worked with us for months in the coordination leading up to this year's event and many have been participating in Pizza for Pachyderms for a decade or more! We are so grateful to everyone involved!

Adrienne Watkins
Annemarie Sandberg 
Anton Morrison
April Yoder
Ben Whitebread
Brent Atkinson
Charley Shepherd
Charlotte Trapman-O'Brien
Christi Reiter
Erin Dowgwillo
Janel Jankowski
Jared North
Jennifer Wu 
Joan Teske
Katrina Wilbanks
Kelly Garner 
Kelsey Eggers
Kim Klein
Laura Garcia
LeShea Cochu
Matt Pron
Maura Davis
Pat Maluy

America's Teaching Zoo, Moorpark College 
Columbus AAZK Chapter
Georgia AAZK Chapter
Greater Baltimore AAZK Chapter
Greater Houston AAZK Chapter
Greater New Jersey AAZK Chapter
High Forest AAZK Chapter
Honolulu Zoo
Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens AAZK Chapter 
Los Angeles AAZK Chapter
Milwaukee County Zoo
New Mexico BioPark Society
Rocky Mountain AAZK Chapter
San Antonio AAZK Chapter
Santa Barbara Zoo
St. Louis AAZK Chapter
ZooTampa at Lowry Park

Photos above: Friends, family & colleagues came out in herds across the country to help make Pizza for Pachyderms 2023 a success at CPK restaurants in Hunt Valley, Ventura, Virginia Beach & Albuquerque

AES would also like to express our appreciation for the Staff and Management at all 27 participating California Pizza Kitchen restaurants and Your Pie Grant Park in Atlanta, Georgia. We also would like to acknowledge Carol Flynn, Director of Marketing for California Pizza Kitchen for her continuing efforts to make the process of communicating with so many restaurants so seamless. We thank you all! 

AES Welcomes New Director, Mary Miller

Asian Elephant Support is pleased to introduce Mary Miller as our newest member of our Board of Directors. Mary has been in the field of animal care for seven years, with a focus on elephant care in more recent years as a Keeper and Trainer at Grant’s Farm, Memphis Zoo and now at Pittsburgh Zoo’s International Conservation Center.

AES's newest Director, Mary Miller, has been a long-time supporter of AES efforts to care for & conserve Asian elephants

Along with her work, Mary is a member of the American Association of Zoo Keepers (AAZK) and the Elephant Managers Association, where she is also a member of their Enrichment Committee. 

Prior to Mary joining the AES Board in March, she has been an active supporter of our projects and has worked diligently to raise money and awareness about our mission for many years. Mary was instrumental in coordinating successful fundraisers along with the Memphis AAZK Chapter, including a local Pizza for Pachyderms event and art auction to benefit EEHV (Elephant Endotheliotropic Herpesvirus) research and treatments.

Mary accepted the nomination to the AES Board in order to be able to help elephants in any way possible and encourage a new generation to get involved in elephant conservation through AES.

Welcome to Asian Elephant Support, Mary! The entire Board of AES is eager to work with you as you bring your enthusiasm and energy to the table to help Asian elephants in range countries.

Chiang Mai University's Mobile Vet Clinic - March 2023

Beginning in 2020, Asian Elephant Support committed funds to support the ongoing work of the Chiang Mai University Mobile Vet Clinic. This unit travels throughout northern Thailand to provide both preventative and emergency care for elephants in need. The staff from the unit regularly participates in educational opportunities to exchange knowledge with colleagues working to care for Asian elephants. We hope you continue to enjoy the updates we receive from our partners from the Mobile Vet Clinic and their work to uphold our mission to care for and conserve elephants in Thailand and across Asia.

The Chiang Mai University’s Mobile Vet Clinic team had another busy month in March. On the ninth and tenth, Drs. Kulnanan and Ueangpaiboon attended the Elephant Acupuncture Workshop organized by the Thai Elephant Conservation Center (TECC). During the workshop attendees were educated on traditional Chinese medicine, how to find and locate acupuncture points and which acupuncture points help. Workshop participants also had the opportunity to practice how to perform acupuncture on elephants.

"Acupuncture is another alternative treatment option for elephants to reduce pain & improve various health functions of the body based on the balance of energy flow or life force in the body." - Drs. Kulnanan and Ueangpaiboon

The CMU team joined in celebrating National Thai Elephant Day on March 13 by participating in a special event designed to raise awareness for elephants. At the event, religious rituals were performed, a feast was prepared for elephants, including grass and fruits, and attending organizations were invited to share their work to help elephants and other animals. For their part, the CMU team shared their work to deliver medication and care to elephants throughout the region, caring for wild elephants, improving the welfare for elephants, and assisting in care for calves with Elephant Endotheliotropic Herpesvirus (EEHV).

Elephants enjoying a feast of grasses & fruits on Chang Thai Day 2023

On the last day of the month, the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine at Chiang Mai University held a forum on how to manage cases of elephant calves with suspected EEHV. Over the last year, the CMU team had several cases of EEHV, sadly, in all of the cases the calves succumbed to the disease. This critical forum for veterinarians and students was designed to allow for an exchange of ideas on topics relating to EEHV, including the reporting of symptoms, the importance of assessments and lab work, and the delivery of critical treatments. The forum had over 30 attendees representing over 20 organizations, both in-person and via Zoom.

The forum was lead by experienced elephant veterinarians

Over the course of the month, the medical cases that Drs. Kulnanan and Ueangpaiboon and the team saw were vast. Mostly located in the Mae Wang and Mae Tang districts, they treated elephants with issues ranging from musculoskeletal, dental, eye and gastrointestinal issues.

On March third, the team was called to use their laser therapy unit for two elephants - a male with stiffness in his front leg and a female who had stepped on a nail and needed to have a needle aspiration followed by laser therapy. The CMU veterinary team is fortunately able to use laser technology as an additional treatment in some cases.

Dr. Eye drains & flushes the abscess. A week later the wound was better following the care from the CMU team & the elephant's dedicated owner

On March 15, the team visited an elephant owner who reported that his elephant had a swollen jaw for several weeks that had now formed an abscess. Upon examination, the veterinarians decided to open the abscess and clean it out with hydrogen peroxide and saline. A tetanus vaccine was also given. With the owner able to clean the wound very easily, one week later, the wound was better with little to no discharge present.

Later in March, the Mobile Vet Clinic visited a male elephant who had foamy discharge coming from his left eye. The owner had been treating the elephant for an eye ulcer for a few weeks already, and it seemed to be improving. However, during examination, the veterinary team found that the eye is now warm and swollen along with the foamy tears. They did a fluorescent stain on the eye to check for ulcers. Ultimately, a bulgy white protrusion about .5 cm in diameter was discovered.

Eye stain is applied to check for ulcerations

The elephant’s owner was instructed to keep the bull in a shaded area, provide topical antibiotic eye treatments three-four times a day and to keep the eye clean. The elephant was prescribed pain medication along with anti-inflammatory drugs. After a follow-up with this bull on March 30, he was found to be better, with less eye discharge, however the corneal protrusion was still present and follow-up care will likely be in order next month.

Elephants use their long lashes for protection from dust, light, wind and insects

As the care for elephants in northern Thailand continues each month, AES is proud to support the CMU Mobile Vet Clinic and all of their efforts to enhance their skills, share their knowledge and give the elephants of the region the best medical attention. We thank these partners for their service to the community and the species. To lend your support, consider making a donation by visiting our donation page or “Venmoing” @asianelephantsupport. Thank you.

Street Theatre Inspires Human-Elephant Coexistence

How do you reach a broad audience on a very difficult but important topic? In the southern part of India, near the Anamalai Wildlife Reserve, they are using street theatre to educate local community members of all ages on how to coexist with the elephants living nearby.

Community members of all ages gather to see & participate in street performances focused on Human-Elephant Coexistence

In March, 15 plays were performed for audiences in eight villages bordering on the reserve where human elephant conflict levels still remain at critical levels. In this part of India people and elephants constantly live in close proximity to each other, sometimes competing for the same resources. The professionally written and performed plays are designed to teach area inhabitants how to coexist peacefully with elephants by instructing them on elephant behavior, “do’s and don’ts” of elephant conflict and protecting oneself and family. Additionally, the plays provide new ways of teaching others in their community about the importance of elephants and elephant safety.

Street plays gather large crowds & teach about elephant behavior & how to peacefully coexist with elephants
 

In the state of Tamil Nadu, plays like these are quite popular and culturally relevant. It is hoped that through these performances, awareness can be brought to the possibility of human-elephant coexistence and attitudes towards elephants can be changed for the better!

Street plays such as this are a culturally relevant method to inform communities. They are professionally written & produced by experts dedicated to the protection of elephants & humans

Asian Elephant Support is delighted to have been able to support this creative and unique approach to conservation and we look forward to reporting more on this when programs for school children in the area take place later this year! Help ensure more information about how to safely coexist with elephants is brought to communities living in and around elephant habitat. Donate here.  

Chiang Mai University's Mobile Vet Clinic - February 2023

February started with the team from the Chiang Mai University Mobile Vet Clinic heading out for an annual field visit to the elephants working and residing at camps in Chiang Mai province, alongside Thailand’s Department of Livestock Development (DLD) and Thai Elephant Conservation Center (TECC) veterinary teams.

An elephant is scanned for a microchip as part of an annual exam & census in the Chiang Mai province
 

This yearly visit, which occurred from February 3-12, comes with microchip identification, health checks, and providing elephant owners with needed medications and supplies. The teams also conducted a much needed elephant census, following the return of elephants to camps throughout Chiang Mai post-pandemic, and determined that there are 84 elephant camps in operation with 950 elephants. 

While in a camp on these field visits, an elephant owner asked the Mobile Vet Clinic team to look at a 40-year-old female elephant. The elephant had a weepy right eye for about two weeks, and none of the treatments the owner had attempted were working. Upon examination, her cornea had a white spot on it, and her eyelids were warm and swelling, indicating corneal ulcers. The veterinarians provided the owner with instructions on how to treat the eye properly with eye medication and gave the elephant some pain relievers and anti-inflammatories. 

Elephant receives a flush of his tusk cavity (also known as a sulcus) as part of the veterinary visit

In addition to the Chiang Mai field visits, the CMU veterinary team joined with staff from Treasure Our Elephants Fund Foundation to perform health checks on 18 elephants in Mae Hong Sorn and Chiang Rai districts.

On this trip, the veterinarians provided elephant owners medicine and education on appropriate management practices for ailments like eye infections, gingivitis, and tusk issues, as well as weight loss and proper body condition.
 
Elsewhere around Northern Thailand, Dr. Eye and the Mobile Vet Clinic treated elephants with issues ranging from swollen foot pads, to lameness, to lethargy. An elephant in Mae Wang that the team had treated previously for a wound after stepping on a nail, was rechecked and found to still have a swollen area on the foot. The veterinarians used a thermal camera to confirm their suspicion - an abscess had developed. Anti-inflammatory medication was provided and the owner was instructed to do foot soaks daily for 30 minutes and avoid long distance or rough-surface walking.

Swelling can be seen in the middle of the foot pad indicating possible abscess development after stepping on a nail last month

Finally, the CMU team made their way to an owner of an elderly female elephant who had been lethargic and losing weight. She had spent time at the elephant hospital but had come back to the owner recently. Upon examination this time, the old elephant had dry mucous membranes, and a poor body condition - appearing extremely thin.

After a rectal exam and removal of dried feces, the team determined her condition was brought on by one of two issues - either her age (older elephants may start to have a decline in digestion or malabsorption of nutrients in food due to tooth loss) or mismanagement of her diet (when a poor quality diet results in nutrient deficiencies and colic). This elephant was treated with analgesics, vitamins and blood was taken for testing. Her blood results came back indicating a chronic infection and kidney issues. After she was treated, her lethargy improved and she started eating. However, on February 22, she laid down and sadly, passed away that day. 

Mother with calf born on January 29 in Mae Wang. The CMU Team tended to them following some complications after birth, but both are reportedly doing well after treatments

Through the ups and downs of being elephant veterinarians, Dr. Eye and Team from the CMU Mobile Vet Clinic, and all their partners in the field, continue to make a difference in the lives of Thailand’s elephants and their people. To thank the Mobile Vet Clinic team, please visit our website to make a contribution to their efforts.

Monitoring for More in Sumatra

In 2020, AES supported a project in Way Kambas National Park in southern Sumatra to deploy a total of six GPS collars on wild elephants.

Last year AES agreed to continue support for this project in 2023 by providing for three of the older collars to be replaced as their battery life neared an end. A couple of months ago two of those collars were replaced on female elephants from resident herds. Recently the third collar was replaced on a resident bull named “Dugul” who is well known to local communities as he sometimes strays out of the National Park, but is not very destructive.

 The Elephant Response Unit (ERU) teams monitor the collared elephants, ensuring they stay in the National Park and do not venture into nearby agricultural fields. Data collected from the collars helps the field staff better track elephant movement within the National Park. With this information ERU teams keep both human and elephant populations safe.

We are grateful for the efforts of the field staff of the Way Kambas National Park and of our in-country partner Komunitas Untuk Hutan Sumatera whose dedication supports the conservation of critically endangered Sumatran elephants.

A “Trunk” Full of Veterinary Care for Wildlife in Sumatra

Did you know that with our continued support and your generous donations, our efforts to help elephants also have an impact on the care and conservation of other species?
 
The Veterinarians from the Wildlife Ambulance of the Syiah Kuala University Veterinary Faculty in Aceh not only provide routine healthcare to elephants but also education and care for other wildlife as well!

 In 2022 the Syiah Kuala University Veterinary Faculty conducted courses on the medical management of elephants, tigers, orangutans, and sun bears and gave lectures about wildlife conservation issues, challenges and strategies. Numerous other courses and lectures covered topics as varied as avian and primate medical care, drug administration, and health care for sun bears. In addition, the Wildlife Ambulance staff held seven elephant care seminars with a total of 155 participants. Each seminar focused on elephant health care topics such as safety, clinical examinations, sample collections, and foot care.

Besides elephant health care, the Wildlife Ambulance also provided needed veterinary services for the treatment and rescue of injured sun bears in six cases, and the rescue of long tailed macaques in three cases. In addition to these cases and the numerous local elephant cases, the Wildlife Ambulance was called on to assist with two elephant cases in Laos and Malaysia, ensuring that their efforts to help wildlife doesn’t end at the border. By helping us to help elephants so much more is accomplished!

We are grateful for the efforts of the Veterinarians of the Wildlife Ambulance who continue to care for and the Rangers of the Elephant Response Units who continue to protect endangered wildlife in Sumatra. Thank you to all partners in the field!

To support the Wildlife Ambulance, the ERU teams and other AES partners working in the field to save wild elephants and other endangered species, become a donor, today!

AES Becomes a Conservation Partner with AAZK

Asian Elephant Support is pleased to announce that we were recently awarded Conservation Partnership status by the American Association of Zoo Keepers (AAZK). AAZK is an organization dedicated to the development of animal care professionals, providing resources and opportunities for members to enhance their skills and knowledge in the field of zoo keeping. The organization is also a tremendous supporter of conservation projects around the globe, running successful programs like Bowling for Rhinos – which focuses on the conservation of the five species of rhinoceros found in both Africa and Asia, and Trees for You and Me which promotes carbon emissions reductions through various efforts including education and reforestation projects.

AES Board Directors with High Forest AAZK Chapter Members at the 2022 AAZK Conference in Toronto
 

Current AES Board Members, Lindsey Eagan, Liz Beem and Mindy Ussrey will attest that their love for elephants and passion to help conserve the species started when they were Keepers at their respective Zoos. AES has enjoyed the support of so many individual Zoo Keepers and AAZK Chapters across the United States as they helped to spread the word and support AES’s fundraising campaigns, like Pizza for Pachyderms over the years.

With this new partnership we hope to be able to reach out to more AAZK Chapters and animal care professionals for support with projects that promote our mission to care for and conserve elephants in Asian range countries.

We wish to thank the AAZK Conservation Committee for the confidence they have expressed in our work over the last decade and a half by awarding us this Conservation Partner status. And we look forward to working with AAZK and all of its Members to deliver a better future for Asian elephants.  

For more information about AAZK and the tremendous work they do, please visit their website - www.aazk.org. If you are a Zoo Keeper and belong to a local AAZK chapter, please email us to discuss more opportunities to work together.

EleFriendly Bus in Sri Lanka Repairs Funded By AES

Elephants & education go trunk-in-hand - A lot of the work that Asian Elephant Support does surrounds education. From additional training for veterinarians, skill building for mahouts, community awareness programs and funding for safe transportation for children to attend school, AES wants to put the knowledge and resources in the hands of our partners and communities living with elephants in Asia!

In one of our most recently funded projects, AES committed to providing money to the Sri Lanka Wildlife Conservation Society to help service and repair the EleFriendly Bus in Sri Lanka. In 2016, AES was part of a group that helped purchase this bus that made it possible for children to be transported to their school along a route frequented by wild elephants.

Since the start of this bus service to nine villages, which is also used by community members when the children are in class, Human-Elephant Conflict has been reduced by 90% along the corridors it travels. The funding of repairs came just in time for the start of the new school session in January and just in time for us to celebrate the International Day of Education, on January 24th!

Thank you to all of our partners in the field for their continuing work to care for and conserve Asian elephants and support the communities living amongst them. If you would like to support our partners throughout Asia, consider becoming an Monthly Donor. Click here to learn how!

Pizza For Pachyderms 2023! Save the Date!

Save the Dates April 25 & 26th NATIONWIDE

All proceeds from the Pizza for Pachyderms 2023 fundraiser benefit the fight to end Elephant Endotheliotropic Herpesvirus (EEHV)

Contact AES Board Vice President, Liz Beem by emailing liz@asianelephantsupport.org for more information about becoming a Host for this event at your local California Pizza Kitchen.

Hosting is easy. We take care of all the paperwork, flyers and graphics. You just need to gather friends, family, colleagues and grab a bite to eat.

Contact us today to become a Host!