Bull elephant “Bobo”, from Chiang Mai Province.

Keeper: Lamin

Condition:

* The elephant suffered from injuries caused by sharp objects on the right side of his head. There was evidence of wounds of a similar nature on the left side of his head (those wounds had already healed).

* PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder)

Date of admission: 3 November 2010

Bobo (Petchpairin) arrived for treatment on the 3^rd of November 2010. The elephant suffered from injuries caused by sharp objects on the right side of his head. There was evidence of wounds of a similar nature on the left side of his head (those wounds had already healed). The depth of the wounds reached all the way through to the nasal cavity section and the esophagus. During treatment sessions, the elephant would blow pus out through his trunk. The disinfectant used to cleanse the wounds would also stream through the right nostril.

The elephant ate and drank water well, and relieved himself normally. The wound sites were cleaned, dressed, and administered with setonisation techniques.   

The elephant’s wounds healed in July of 2011.

When Bobo’s wounds were declared officially healed, the previous owner then sold him to another owner. But while Bobo was in the process of being moved, he put up resistance, behaved dangerously, and ended up breaking the leg of his new owner.

Soraida Salwala then contacted the owner, and requested to rescue the elephant. The Founder feared that if Bobo was transferred into a new arrangement, further down the line, the elephant would be forced into doing things by extremely violent ways and means. Bobo might end up dying through the enforcement of incorrect measures. (Before Bobo arrived for treatment at FAE Elephant Hospital, he was previously receiving treatment at another place. It turned out that that place could no longer continue keeping Bobo on as a patient, due to the elephant causing harm to the veterinarian and the keepers.)

As a long-time permanent resident of FAE Elephant Hospital, Bobo is now doing well. He eats grass and bananas and drinks water well. He relieves himself well. Every morning, he would take a walk in the forest near his enclosure. Due to his PTSD, it is important to prevent anything from triggering Bobo’s physical and mental condition. Furthermore, Bobo is a solitary elephant who likes to have a peaceful and quiet environment. So, Ms. Soraida instructed for Bobo’s enclosure to be built a good distance away from the infirmary units of the other elephant patients and residents.

Today, Bobo’s condition is much improved, even though the sight capacity of his left eye is not so good. The keeper is always reminded to call out Bobo’s name every time he approaches the elephant, and also to try not to approach Bobo on his left side.

Present condition: The wounds on the right side of Bobo’s head had healed properly in July of 2011. He is healthy, and likes to take walks on the mound of the forest near his enclosure. On occasion, he exhibits signs of his nervous condition. He doesn’t like loud noises, and needs to be kept away from the presence of people, as this may cause his condition to surface.