A Year Of Hope: Baby Elephant Injured In Train Accident Makes A Miraculous Recovery At Wildlife SoS

Agra, February 5 (TNA) In a tragic accident, a speeding train hit a female baby elephant in the north Indian state of Uttarakhand. The elephant was thrown off the tracks and landed with grievous injuries in an adjacent field. Named Bani, then 9 months old, the elephant was paralysed from the back and was brought for treatment at India’s first elephant hospital in Mathura, Uttar Pradesh.

After being provided critical care in consultation with national and international expert veterinarians, in addition to ayurveda and acupuncture, Bani is showing remarkable recovery and has just celebrated her one-year anniversary since her rescue.

After experiencing a horrible and potentially life-threatening train accident, the elephant calf Bani has recovered miraculously after indefatigable efforts from the Wildlife SOS team of veterinarians and caregivers. Struck with spastic paraparesis, or limited mobility in the back or hind limbs, the organisation’s veterinary team experimented with many treatment methods including ayurveda, hydrotherapy and even acupuncture, to help Bani recover.

Remarkably enough, following several weeks of oil massages and visits to the hydrotherapy pool, Bani was finally able to stand up. She has now progressed to be able to walk short distances and explore the greenery around her. However, Bani has an abnormal gait that limits the distances she can walk. She is also currently wearing shoes on her hind legs to protect her feet.

To keep this lively and spirited calf engaged, several caregivers are attending the 2-year-old pachyderm in a round-the-clock manner, with sufficient nutrition, care and attention. The caregivers have created a mud hole for Bani where she likes to play with mud, as mud baths are one of her favourite activities.