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Project update
- latest - November 2007
ELEPHANT
RESCUE
An unusual telephone call meant the start
of a rescue operation involving three young female elephants.
The Wildlife Trust of India (WTI) has a reputation for re-uniting
orphaned Asian elephant calves with their natal herds within 48
hours of the displacement. This time the animals were larger and
had been kept by poachers for over a month.
With emergency funds available from DSWF
for just this kind of wildlife crises this was a challenge for
WTI's Rapid Action Unit. The two most experienced wildlife veterinarians
were called to assist. Having just completed a translocation of
two rhinos some 500 miles away they didn't hesitate and were eager
to help.
The team had to consider the problems of
firstly trying to re-integrate the three elephants back into their
herd and secondly that the location was in one of the remotest
parts of India renowned for its thick impenetrable forests and
few roads. A temporary camp was constructed and the elephants
were treated with antibiotics and a daily dressing for their wounds,
inflicted during capture. The calves also had microchips inserted
and one of them was radio-collared for future monitoring.
Finally the search began, a suitable herd
was located and the young trio were led to the release point by
captive elephants where they were set free. The team watched nervously
and then moved away hoping for the best. For a few days there
were no sightings until on the third day a signal was received
from the collared elephant as it came back into range. The other
two remained elusive and after scouring the forest it was concluded
they had successful integrated back into the herd.
This was a huge achievement for WTI and
was only possible through the emergency funding provided by DSWF.
The operation graphically proves the value of the Rapid Action
Project.
Every little contribution helps wildlife
and remember 100% of your donation will go in full to the project - thank you!
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of DSWF. Click here for more information
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photos: tiger Michael Vickers
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