For the first time in India, an elephant hospital has been opened in a collaborative effort between the Uttar Pradesh Forest Department and conservation NGO Wildlife SOS.
The hospital dedicated to elephants has opened in Mathura at Farah block’s Churmura village. This first-of-its-kind hospital has well-equipped with wireless digital X-ray, laser treatment, dental X-ray, thermal imaging, ultrasonography, hydrotherapy, and quarantine facilities.
Located near elephant conservation and care centre, the hospital is designed to treat injured, sick or old elephants. It has a medical hoist for lifting elephants. Wildlife SOS Elephant Hospital also has a restraining device with a dedicated indoor treatment enclosure for long duration medical procedures.
At the hospital, an observation deck is made for veterinary students and interns can learn and observe the elephant’s behaviour and treatment.
In a conversation with IANS, the promoter NGO Wildlife SOS CEO Katick Satyanarayan said that this is a milestone in the conservation journey. “The facility will allow us to take better care, and gradually develop as a destination for humane management of elephants.”
After the inauguration of the hospital, co-founders Kartick & Geeta went on Facebook to thank people for their support. They further said, “This hospital is something really special because for centuries India has used its elephants and abused them. Today for the first time, we can offer them a place where we can heal them and take really good care of them.”
The Wildlife SOS established the first elephant conservation and care centre in 2010. Currently, they are looking after 20 elephants requiring specialised treatment.
