The plight of the Sumatran elephant : a case study in conservation medicine in the field

Abstract

The overpopulation problem in Sumatra, and the subsequent devastation of the environment due to logging, the planting of oil palm and rubber trees, and oil drilling, has caused elephants and humans to compete for available natural resources. Deprived of their indigenous forest, elephants destroy plantations, homes, and sometimes human lives. In an effort to control the situation, the government has begun capturing "problem elephants" and placing them into camps with the potential for one day using them for work or ecotourism. In November 2000 Elephant Care International was created to improve the level of veterinary care for the Sumatran elephants and to train local veterinarians. I worked for one month at one of the main elephant training centers in Sumatra. This seminar will focus on oen particular elephant, Gajah Liar 7 (Wild Elephant 7) an approximately 10-year-old intact male Sumatran elephant that was shot by civilians with a shotgun causing extensive injuries. A discussion of the management of this case and restraint techniques will be included. Additionally, an approach to assessing the health status of elephants and mention of some of the health problems encountered in other elephants at the camp will be covered.