Posts Tagged ‘asian elephant hospital’
Wednesday, March 3rd, 2010
In addition to building prosthetic limbs for elephants (like Mosha and Motala) that step on landmines, the Friends of the Asian Elephant (FAE) Elephant Hospital also treats elephants for everything from illness to injuries.
Elephant Kamnoi pets Baby "Dante" at FAE.
On February 18, 2010 we announced that Soraida Salwala, Founder of the FAE Elephant Hospital and featured in the elephant conservation documentary, The Eyes of Thailand, shared the successful birth of a new baby elephant on February 15. One day later, Kamnoi and her healthy baby boy, whom they’ve since named Dante, arrived at FAE. To read the blog post, click here.
Baby Elephant Dante attempts to nurse at FAE's Elephant Hospital.
I am happy to report that Kamnoi and Dante are continuing to bond, although he sometimes needs to get a boost to reach his mother to nurse!
Baby Dante gets a boost from FAE staff to nurse.
Dr. Preecha and the staff at FAE are also supplementing his mother’s milk with goat’s milk. Soriada wrote to explain:
Mother of Baby “Dante” does not have enough milk. She is feeding him but the milk is not enough. So, when he is still hungry, we feed him with goat milk.
Kamnoi watches as Dr. Preecha feeds Baby Dante at FAE.
Please send good thoughts for Dante to continue to grow to Soraida and her staff at FAE’s Elephant Hospital. We’ll send updates as they come!
Sincerely,
Windy Borman
Director, Producer and Writer, The Eyes of Thailand
Dr. Preecha feeds Baby Dante at FAE.
Tags: animal welfare, asian elephant, asian elephant hospital, D.V.A. Productions, Dante, Dr. Preecha, elephants, Eyes of Thailand, Kamnoi, landmine, Mosha, Motala, prosthetic, Soraida Salwala, Windy Borman
Posted in Notes from Soraida and FAE, Notes from the Director | No Comments »
Tuesday, March 2nd, 2010
On February 26, 2010, Soraida Salwala, Founder of the Friends of the Asian Elephant (FAE) Elephant Hospital and featured in the elephant conservation documentary, The Eyes of Thailand, wrote to share:
Motala and Mosha are the same. Mosha is not happy since she could not wear the prosthetic leg last week. We are looking forward to the new ones being made on The National Elephant Day (13 March).
We look forward to sharing the new pictures of Mosha and Motala, two elephant landmine survivors also featured in The Eyes of Thailand, walking on their new prostheses next week. Please check back after March 13, 2010.
-Windy Borman
Director, Producer and Writer, The Eyes of Thailand
Tags: animal abuse, animal welfare, asian elephant, asian elephant hospital, D.V.A. Productions, documentary, elephants, Eyes of Thailand, Friends of the Asian Elephants, landmine, Mosha, Motala, prosthesis, prosthetic, Soraida Salwala, Windy Borman
Posted in Notes from Soraida and FAE, Notes from the Director | No Comments »
Friday, February 19th, 2010
Please enjoy the new photos of Mosha, taken on February 12, 2010 by a member of Collecting Smiles Club.
Mosha (photo credit: Collecting Smiles Club)
Mosha (which means Star in the Karin language) is a 3-year old Asian Elephant at the Friends of the Asian Elephant (FAE) Elephant Hospital. When she was 7-months old, Mosha stepped on a landmine along the Thai-Burma border. Her owner donated her to FAE, where Soraida Salwala and her staff could rehabilitate and care for her.
Mosha, with chalk on her amputated leg, which helps reduce the irritation of wearing her prosthetic leg. (photo credit: Collecting Smile Club)
When we first met Mosha in 2007, she was a curious 2-year old, who wobbled on three legs. When we returned in August 2009, Producer/Director Windy Borman filmed Mosha receiving a prosthetic limb from the Prostheses Foundation for the documentary, The Eyes of Thailand.
Mosha with a member of the FAE staff at the Elephant Hospital. (photo credit: Collecting Smiles Club).
To see Mosha’s progression over the years, please click here.
Sincerely,
Windy Borman
Producer, Director and Writer, The Eyes of Thailand
Tags: asian elephant, asian elephant hospital, Collecting Smiles Club, Eyes of Thailand, Friends of the Asian Elephants, landmine, Mosha, Prostheses Foundation, prosthetic, Soraida Salwala, Windy Borman
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Friday, February 19th, 2010
Corinne Morton taught her 6th Grade Science classes in Ithaca, NY (USA) about the plight of elephants in the wild and captivity. Inspired by The Eyes of Thailand trailer, three students wrote poems about Thai elephants. Below is the second poem:
A Thailand Elephant
by Jaina Swanhart age 11, Boynton Middle School
This elephant here
Was taken from his mother
Never got to roam free
And feel secure as elephants do with one another
Dreaming, hoping to find a way home
Away from his mom, it is so severe
Whips, chains and illegal logging
From a small soulful eye drops a swift tear
Shredded leg, what now?
Stepping on explosive mines
Standing on three feeling despair
It is only a matter of time
In his captivity a lady looks
Kids around him, he’s being teased
Runs and runs to fine Mahout
She thinks, can I buy him please?
She’s rescues him, finally free
Knowing where to take him
He follows her lead
To the elephant hospital, to a new limb
Eating with other elephants
Here he finds his mother
Walking, talking, catching up
A feeling like no other
There’s a devoted vet
He loves and cherishes her
Giving him a new hope in life
He wishes others fate were similar
Please tune in next week for the third poem…
-Windy Borman
Producer, Director and Writer, The Eyes of Thailand
Tags: asian elephant hospital, Corinne Morton, Eyes of Thailand, landmine, logging, mahout, prosthesis, Windy Borman
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Thursday, February 18th, 2010
In addition to building prosthetic limbs for elephants (like Mosha and Motala) that step on landmines, the Friends of the Asian Elephant (FAE) Elephant Hospital also treats elephants for everything from illness to injuries.
On February 15, 2010, Soraida Salwala, Founder of the FAE Elephant Hospital and featured in the elephant conservation documentary, The Eyes of Thailand, announced the successful birth of a new baby elephant:
A new baby was born at Mae Ping Camp in Chiang Mai last night. The baby weighs only 30 k.m. (same as Tiny). Dr. Preecha reached Pung Noi and her baby before noon. Preparation to transport both the mother and her male baby is being carefully carried out.
On February 16, 2010, Pung Kamnoi and her healthy baby boy arrived at FAE:
Dr. Preecha says the baby looks good. We have the soy milk ready in case his mother is not ready to feed him.
The first photos of the happy mother and baby appear below.
Kamnoi arrives at FAE by truck.
The staff at FAE encourage the wobbly newborn elephant to walk off the truck.
Kamnoi and her healthy baby boy.
Kamnoi and Baby Boy.
We are happy to see Kamnoi and her baby bonding and will share more news and photos as we get them. Please stay tuned!
Sincerely,
Windy Borman
Producer, Director and Writer, The Eyes of Thailand
P.S. The Eyes of Thailand is currently fundraising to edit and distribute the film so we can tell the world about the plight of the Asian Elephants and share the great work that Soraida and her staff do at FAE. To make a tax-deductible donation to the film, please visit our website and click “Donate Now“. It will take you to the secure online donation page for our fiscal sponsor, The San Francisco Film Society. Thank you!
Tags: animal welfare, asian elephant, asian elephant hospital, Chiang Mai, documentary, Dr. Preecha, elephants, Eyes of Thailand, Friends of the Asian Elephants, Kamnoi, landmine, Mosha, Motala, San Francisco Film Society, Soraida Salwala, Windy Borman
Posted in Notes from Soraida and FAE, Notes from the Director | 1 Comment »
Monday, February 8th, 2010
FAE's Mobile Vets visit an Elephant camp in Thailand
In addition to providing comprehensive veterinary care at the Friends of the Asian Elephant (FAE) Elephant Hospital in Lampang, Thailand, FAE also offers a Mobile Vet Clinic for elephant owners and camps that cannot afford to bring their elephants to Soraida Salwala (the Founder), and the vets, Dr. Preecha and Dr. Kay.
Dr. Kay treats a patient during her Mobile Vet visit.
While one of FAE’s goals is to recognize working elephants under the Endangered Species Act in Thailand–currently elephants in captivity are considered livestock and not an “endangered species”, even if they were originally caught in the wild–FAE’s overwhelming concern is to treat and protect every elephant from illness, abuse and neglect.
Dr. Kay with Boonthong and her baby
On January 10, 2010, Dr. Kay (in the green) visited this elephant camp and treated work elephants at an Elephant Camp.
Tags: animal welfare, asian elephant, asian elephant hospital, Dr. Kay, Dr. Preecha, elephants, Friends of the Asian Elephants, Mobile Vet, Soraida Salwala, Thailand
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Tuesday, December 29th, 2009
Motala and Baby Mosha each received their new prostheses from the Prostheses Foundation. Both Asian Elephants are survivors of landmine accidents and star in the feature-length elephant conservation documentary, The Eyes of Thailand.
Motala stepped on a landmine on August 15, 1999. She received her first prosthetic limb 10 years later, on August 16, 2009. After a brief set-back, she slowly began to put more and more weight on the prosthetic limb as she learned to walk with it. On December 25, 2009, she received a new foot pad for the prosthesis.
The Prostheses Foundation gave Motala's prosthesis a new foot pad.
Mosha stepped on a landmine in June 2006. Because she was younger (only 7 months old), her wounds healed faster and the Prostheses Foundation built a prototype for a prosthetic elephant’s leg for her in June 2008. This is Mosha’s fourth prosthesis and she will need more throughout her lifetime as she continues to grow.
Mosha's new prosthesis, January 2, 2010.
The Prostheses Foundation checked on Mosha’s and Motala’s prostheses on December 22, 2009. Soraida Salwala, founder of the Friends of the Asian Elephant (FAE) Elephant Hospital outside of Lampang, Thailand, expected them to receive their new prostheses on January 2, 2010.
Happy Holidays!
-Windy Borman
Producer, Writer and Director, The Eyes of Thailand
P.S. The Eyes of Thailand is currently accepting donations to edit and distribute the film in 2010. You can make a tax-deductible donation through the film’s fiscal sponsor, the San Francisco Film Society, by clicking here. Thank you for your support!
Tags: animal welfare, asian elephant, asian elephant hospital, D.V.A. Productions, documentary, elephants, endangered, Eyes of Thailand, Friends of the Asian Elephants, landmine, Mosha, Motala, Prostheses Foundation, prosthetic, San Francisco Film Society, Soraida Salwala, Windy Borman
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Monday, December 28th, 2009
Mosha (which means Star in the Karin language) is a 3-year old Asian Elephant at the Friends of the Asian Elephant (FAE) Elephant Hospital.
When she was 7-months old, Mosha stepped on a landmine along the Thai-Burma border. Her owner donated her to FAE, where Soraida Salwala and her staff could rehabilitate and care for her.
Image provided by Jody's Jungle
When we first met Mosha in 2007, she was a curious 2-year old, who wobbled on three legs.
Image provided by Jody's Jungle
When we returned in August 2009, Producer/Director Windy Borman filmed Mosha receiving a prosthetic limb from the Prostheses Foundation for the documentary, The Eyes of Thailand.
Mosha and Windy reunite in August 2009.
On December 22, 2009, the Prostheses Foundation visited Mosha and made a mold of her leg to create her fourth prosthesis, which they will present to her on January 2, 2010 as a New Year present.
Prostheses Foundation staff take a mold of Mosha's leg.
As a permanent resident of FAE, Mosha will continue to receive prosthetic limbs throughout her lifetime, which can be as long as 60-80 years.
-Windy Borman
Producer, Writer and Director, The Eyes of Thailand
P.S. The Eyes of Thailand is currently accepting donations to edit and distribute the film in 2010. You can make a tax-deductible donation through the film’s fiscal sponsor, the San Francisco Film Society, by clicking here. Thank you for your support!
Tags: animal welfare, asian elephant hospital, documentary, Eyes of Thailand, Friends of the Asian Elephants, landmine, Mosha, Prostheses Foundation, Soraida Salwala, Windy Borman
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Tuesday, December 22nd, 2009
December 22, 2009– Baby Mosha, a 3-year old Asian Elephant who stepped on a landmine when she was 7-months old, will receive a new prosthetic limb from the Prostheses Foundation at FAE’s Elephant Hospital on January 2, 2010.
Prostheses Foundation measures Mosha's leg before creating the mold.
On August 15, 2009, I filmed her receiving a prosthesis for The Eyes of Thailand documentary film, featuring Soraida Salwala and the Friends of the Asian Elephant (FAE) Elephant Hospital in Lampang, Thailand.
Mosha has grown so much since August that the Prostheses Foundation returned today to make a mold of Mosha’s leg in order to build a new prosthesis, which they will present to her as a New Year present.
As a permanent resident of FAE, Mosha will continue to receive prosthetic limbs throughout her lifetime, which can be as long as 60-80 years.
The Prostheses Foundation unpacks the new prosthesis foot pad for Motala.
While the Prostheses Foundation was at the Elephant Hospital, they checked on Motala and will change her prosthesis’ foot pad on January 2, 2009, also.
-Windy Borman
Producer, Writer and Director, The Eyes of Thailand
P.S. The Eyes of Thailand is currently accepting donations to edit and distribute the film in 2010. You can make a tax-deductible donation through the film’s fiscal sponsor, the San Francisco Film Society, by clicking here.
Tags: animal welfare, asian elephant, asian elephant hospital, documentary, Eyes of Thailand, Friends of the Asian Elephants, landmine, Mosha, Motala, Prostheses Foundation, Soraida Salwala, Thailand, Windy Borman
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Monday, December 21st, 2009
I have some sad news to share. On December 18, 2009, Soraida wrote:
At 8.55 p.m. Baby Namfon fell on the sand and we helped her up, trying to walk her to the mattresses but she resisted. Now she is standing but shaking, urinated what we think has blood in it but will check for certain.
The owner has been contacted for final decision. He puts it in our hands. We shall do all we can to take good care of the Baby until the final moment comes.
Bless her,
Soraida
Within hours, Soraida wrote:
I am sorry to share with you this sad news. Baby Namfon could not make it, she died early this morning at 2.50 a.m.
We shall bury her next to Baby Dumbo, Tiny and Toansai.
We are all very sad but there are many more lives to be saved. MaeNoi who is expecting the baby needs our care, Somsri, Jok and other elephants are waiting to be tended too. Even though our hearts are heavy… we shall move on with our strong determination to help the elephants in need.
Thanks to you all for the support.
Soraida and all at FAE
I met Baby Namfon, an Asian Elephant who was rejected by her mother shortly after birth, while filming The Eyes of Thailand at FAE in August 2009. At that time she was 5-months old, and, though slow to put on weight, still very curious about new people.
Baby Namfon and Julia in August 2009
On December 14, 2009, Namfon was featured in the “Meet the Patients: Namfon” blog post.
Soraida, and all her staff and supporters at FAE, are in our thoughts.
-Windy Borman
Producer, Writer and Director, The Eyes of Thailand
Tags: asian elephant, asian elephant hospital, endangered, Eyes of Thailand, Friends of the Asian Elephants, Namfon, Soraida Salwala, Windy Borman
Posted in Notes from Soraida and FAE, Notes from the Director | No Comments »