Motala's permanent proshtetic leg. Photo: Apichart Weerawong, AP
Ten years ago, an elephant working in an illegal Thai logging camp near the Burmese/Myanmar border stepped on one of the many landmines still buried in the area. As a result, she had to have her left front foot amputated. The surgery required a world record-setting amount of anesthetic drugs -- enough for 70 grown men. According to JodysJungle.com, the resulting wounds took so long to heal that the initial prosthetic leg planned for Motala wasn't able to be used.
On August 15, the 48-year-old, three-ton elephant (who is a resident of the world's only elephant hospital set up by Friends of the Asian Elephant, or FAE) was fitted with a new, permanent prosthetic leg, reports the Associated Press. Motala's first walk with the new leg lasted about 10 minutes and she celebrated by tossing dirt in the air.
Motala isn't the first elephant to receive a prosthetic leg. Another resident of FAE's elephant hospital, Mosha, took that title two years ago as a baby. Soraida Salwala, Founder and Secretary General of FAE, told Paw Nation that she is pleased with Motala's progress, saying it's a good sign that she's already putting weight on the new leg. Motala has been wearing a temporary prosthetic for the last three years to prepare her for the permanent prosthesis.
Baby Mosha shows off her prosthetic leg. Photo: Apichart Weerawong, AP
The Prostheses Foundation, a company that also makes artificial limbs for humans, provided the artificial limbs for both elephants free of charge. But that doesn't mean it was easy to fit a three ton animal with a peg leg.
"The process of making [the prosthetic leg] was the same [for both elephants], but for Mosha, it was more difficult because she would not stay still," Salwala told Paw Nation. "We have already made three prosthetic legs for Mosha since June 2008, and many adjustments during the past 14months. For Motala, we prepared her well with the pre-prosthetic device, so when the big day finally came, she did not reject it and was happy to walk out of her shelter dusting and eating grass as normal." A video of Motala walking on her new leg after the jump.
We hope both gigantic tripods continue to move forward at a steady pace.
Sponsored Links
Advertisement
Can't Miss Galleries
Today's Popular Articles
The Doggie Diaries: At the Dog Park, Part 1 -- The Brawl- Ask the AKC Animal Behaviorist: Help! My Cat Is Peeing All Over the House
- Stray Cat's Actions Alert Woman to Breast Cancer
So many elephants in Asia live horrible lives.. :-(
As for these elephants with their "new legs"... I wish them well.
I agree with you so many animals in Asia and around the world are mistreated just because they are a animals and cannot speak for themselves.
actually animals especially elephants are treated so much more humane in asia then in american circuses with their cattle prods and whips. Elephants have never been known to tear into a crowd of people in Asia because they are trained in thier own natural environment, not in a dark shed like in america. It is the African nations that abuse elephants and other animals so cruelly, not Asia. and just in case you were wondering I am a natural born American citizen.
just in case you think my research is false google animal cruelty , I havent been to a circus or a kentucky friend chicken since. its errogant how we act toward animals of all sizes. I am so happy for these animals who have a chance to live and be happy with a new leg.
After all the depravity and cruelty humans have shown to the animal world, it is good to know those precious few that have shown mercy.
You can always judge a person's heart by their kindness to animals. As mighty as the elephant is, it only takes one landmine to disable this magnificent creature, or an innocent child. Landmines should be band worldwide.
Good for her. It's nice to see something good in a world going totally crazy.
God bless tthis girl.
I come to wonder why cruelty even happens? I mean, you hear all the time about cruelty happening, INTENTIONALLY! And why? Because some poor guy hates himself and his life so he takes it out on his dog. I mean, isn't that usually the story? AND, to make it so much better, the people feel nothing for the poor animals, there not even sorry. We are animals to, aren't we? It's just as if you were abusing your sons or daughters, right? so why do people even do it..?
I'm glad to see that both are doing well. That is such a horrible country for anything to live in. It is nice to see something positive for a change.
This is a great encouraging story. A tragic beginning but a very happy ending. Wish we had more stories like this to read.
I couldn't agree more. I hope both elephants will continue to live happy, healthy lives :). Truly, it's great to see that there are still lots of good people willing to help anyone in need, human or animal, in this crazy world of ours.
WONDER IF THE AFRICANS WOULD DO THE SAME FOR AN AFRICAN ELEPHANT???
Why the question about Africa???? What is your real point? Go on spit it out!
It amazes me the expense and care given to animals and if you go to Thailand and look at the starving children. The money spent on giving this animal a prosthetic leg could have provided health care to how may children. This animal has survived ten years without this leg, why did it need it now. I am 100 percent in favor of being humane to animals. I just feel sometimes humans go beyond what is needed at the expense of other humans.
The prosthetic legs were all donated free of charge.
Somehow I doubt this was the best possible use of the Prostheses Foundation's limited money and resources. It's a great feel-good story, but wasting time, money, and materials building and fitting a giant prosthesis on TWO elephants, instead of using those resources to help more PEOPLE seems a bit dumb. Before cheering what a wonderful gesture this was, people should ask a few disabled veterans or amputees if they think it's fair that an elephant got a prosthetic, but they couldn't because they didn't have insurance and couldn't afford it.
Amen!! Can you just imagine how many people could have been helped with the money spent on these two elephants. Especially since the elephant had been doing fine for the last ten years with what it had already.
I have never understood why some people choose to view themselves above animals. In my point of view, this is an example of selfish insecurity. How about viewing them as equal? Anyone ever thought of that? It really makes me sick. For example, most people don't think twice about leaving an animal to die, but if there were some felon child molester or rapist who needed live saving...give him a chance, maybe he'll change, save him! what crap. A lot of humans really need to get over themselves in a variety of ways.
I'm with you, there are so, so many people that are in great need of health issues, and to do this for an elephant, I find it absolutely
ridiculus. I mean, come on let's be real. Thumbs down for this
waste of money. :(
You are exactly right. I am in complete agreement with you. I have been over seas and it is heart breaking the way children beg in the streets for food. The living conditions of a lot of those children wouldn't be allowed for a pig in this country. God Bless those who put the children first.
Give me a break!! Spend the money on a human that have a soul and could do something better with their life. The elephant is just an animal, he should have been put to sleep. This world is so stupid when it comes to putting animals up there with the human race......