On National Elephant Day, veterinarian strolls down memory lane
A veterinarian recalled memories of the first wild elephant he had cured, on the occasion of National Elephant Day on March 13.
On Saturday, the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation veterinarian Pattarapol Maneeon posted on his Facebook page an account of his reunion with the first wild elephant he had cured.
The veterinarian said that he had met the elephant 12 years ago, when it suffered from trypanosomiasis.
The elephant had fever, edema at chin, neck and stomach, inflamed eyes, stiff legs and back, and anaemia, which he added could cause sudden death.
Pattarapol said the elephant was smart, and it took a long time before allowing him to approach it and begin the treatment.
He added that the last time he found the animal, it was still able to remember him.
National Elephant Day is marked on March 13 every year since 1998. The day was announced to underline the importance of the close relationship elephants have had with locals in Thailand for hundreds of years. The elephant is Thailand's national animal.
