Elephant Who Lost Foot in Snare Trap Receives Prosthetic in Touching Video

An Asian elephant in Cambodia has moved viewers on-line after footage of him receiving a brand new prosthetic limb went viral on social media.

The video was shared by British TV present presenter and wildlife photographer Cameron Whitnall, on TikTok and has since been considered over 3.7 million occasions.

“Chhouk [the elephant] was present in 2007, at lower than a yr outdated, wandering alone within the forest in northeast Cambodia,” Whitnall informed Newsweek. “He had not solely misplaced his foot to a poacher’s snare, however he was additionally gravely ailing from the contaminated wound and severely malnourished.”

Chhouk was rescued by Nick Marx, the Wildlife Alliance’s director in Cambodia, and has lived on the heart ever since.

“It isn’t quite common for animals to get prosthetic limbs,” Whitnall stated. “Nevertheless, I’ve seen different elephants, vultures, toucans and animals obtain prosthetics. Sadly, threats like snares often kill the animal, however fortunately Wildlife Alliance have been in a position to rescue Chhouk earlier than it turned too extreme and construct him a prosthesis.”

He continued: “Due to unbelievable vets, conservation organizations, good zoos and other people, we’re in a position to give animals a greater high quality of life with prosthetic limbs like Chhouk.”

Chhouk’s replaceable ft have been designed and constructed by the Cambodian Faculty of Prosthetics and Orthotics and funded by Whitnall’s household zoo, Paradise Wildlife Park, which is in Hertfordshire, England. “It is constructed from recycled tires, plastics and foam for consolation,” Whitnall stated.

Chhouk, who’s 15, is nearly 9 ft tall and 20 meters lengthy, so the foot must be extraordinarily sturdy to help his weight. Because of this, the foot itself weighs about 44 kilos, roughly the identical as a child bison.

Elephants proceed to develop till they’re round 20 to 25 years outdated, so Chhouk’s foot must be changed each six months. “The keepers use constructive reinforcement coaching to reward Chhouk with tasty treats corresponding to coconut for his cooperation throughout the shoe-changing course of,” Whitnall stated. “Because of this, Chhouk at all times associates it with a reward and a constructive expertise.”

Within the TikTok video, Whitnall (@camwhitnall) walks his followers by means of the method of foot substitute. “First they clear it to cut back any infections and soars, apply the sleeve—Chhouk kindly lifts his leg to make it simpler for the group—and the foot goes on,” he says in a voice-over.

The video has acquired a whole bunch of hundreds of likes and feedback on the platform.

“Unimaginable how he understands that you just need to assist,” stated one consumer. “Oh my coronary heart! he must be my favourite elephant ever,” wrote one other.

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