Elephant Health Check-up Camp 2023 Started From Today in Sauraha

The Elephant Health Camp 2023 commenced today at the Elephant Breeding Center in Sauraha, aiming to deliver vital health examinations and treatments for elephants residing in Chitwan National Park and nearby private hotels. Scheduled to conclude on November 11, the camp offers fundamental health check-ups, deworming, toenail trimming, and cleaning, as well as tetanus and rabies vaccinations under the supervision of Dr. Vijay Kumar Shrestha, a senior veterinarian at the center.

In case any wounds are detected during the examinations, antibiotics will be administered, and essential minerals will be supplied as needed. Any additional concerns discovered will also be addressed accordingly. Ganesh Prasad Tiwari, an information officer at the center, revealed that a total of 115 elephants are expected to receive health check-ups, including 58 from the Chitwan National Park.

Organized with the support of the American Non-profit Organization Katie Adamson Conservation Fund and in collaboration with Chitwan National Park and National Nature Conservation Trust in Nepal, the camp will see veterinary experts and specialists from both the United States and Nepal conduct health assessments, administer treatments, and trim and clean elephants' toenails.

For the unversed, the Katie Adamson Conservation Fund, a community-oriented conservation organization, is situated in the vicinity of Denver, Colorado. It was founded in 2014 by Zookeeper Dave Johnson to honor the memory of his dear friend and wildlife conservation advocate, Katie Adamson, who succumbed to cancer. The organization's inception marked the beginning of a worldwide commitment to preserve wildlife and foster cultural empathy.

According to Kiran Raj Rijal, a veterinary specialist from the National Nature Conservation Trust, elephants' toenails—commonly known as "pad"—pose significant challenges to their welfare. Elephants possess five toenails on each front leg and four on each hind leg; if these toenails grow longer than the pad, they can cause problems like splitting, tearing of flesh, and discomfort. Rijal emphasized that toenail maintenance for elephants typically occurs every four months and has been prioritized during this camp.

Dil Bahadur Pun, Chief Conservation Officer at the National Nature Conservation Trust, assured that all sites housing elephants within the park will be visited by veterinarians and specialists to perform health assessments. Before this event, health examinations were conducted for 13 elephants living in Bardia from November 1 to 4.

Elephants are an important part of Nepal’s cultural heritage and are also used for tourism purposes. It is important to ensure that they receive proper medical care to maintain their health and well-being