KANCHANABURI - Veterinarians are closely monitoring a wild elephant calf rescued from starvation after being stranded near a fast-flowing stream in Sai Yok district for two days.
The male calf, weighing about 40 kilogrammes and estimated to be less than two weeks old, sustained several injuries and was considered in critical condition.
He was found on Thursday in Village 5 of Mae Nam Noi in tambon Sai Yok. Rangers from Sai Yok National Park Protection Unit 5 travelled to the site by local boat, which took about two hours to reach the spot.
Officials initially monitored the calf from a distance while waiting to see whether its herd would return. Throughout the night, the calf was heard crying intermittently for its mother.
The calf was also seen sucking on tree roots and rocks nearby, behaviour believed to indicate it was searching for nutrients. It was able to move only within a radius of about 1.5 metres, close to the stream.
Officials believe the herd crossed the stream and that the calf was swept away by the current. Heavy rainfall over the previous two days had raised the water level, posing a serious danger to the calf.
Officials later fed the calf milk before transferring it on Friday. Veterinarians and park officials faced difficult conditions because the area was at risk of flash flooding and forest runoff.
According to the veterinary team, the calf was severely weakened, with abrasions, blisters and multiple mouth ulcers that made it difficult to drink milk.
It was severely dehydrated and had a wound around the umbilical area. Its trunk had blistering and patches of dead tissue. Bee-like insects had gathered around its eyes, causing conjunctivitis.
The calf’s urine was dark yellow to reddish, suggesting a possible infection or severe dehydration, and it was suffering from foul-smelling diarrhoea. Veterinarians described its condition as critical.
The calf was transferred to an office at Sai Yok National Park, where it is receiving intensive treatment.
Authorities expect the results on Saturday of a test for elephant endotheliotropic herpesvirus (EEHV), a potentially fatal disease affecting young elephants.
