Another first for Assam, now a mobile clinic for elephants

A mobile clinic for elephants was launched in Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary in Morigaon district in Assam today.

Array

The clinic will be treating both elephants in the sanctuary and the ones domesticated, free of cost. Funding for the clinic will be provided by state-run Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council and a Netherlands-based non-governmental organisation, The Asian Elephants Foundation.

Array

Often getting elephants down for treatment is not easy and also the cost for their treatment can be very high, this mobile clinic seeks to put an end to such problems. In order to solicit the services of the clinic people will only need to make a call and the clinic will reach their doorstep.

Array

Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forests of Karbi Anglong Forest Department, Doctor Abhijit Rabha, said that the clinic will provide services round the clock.

"Objective is to serve them 24x7.and to provide them succour at any moment anywhere in Assam and northeast," said Rabha.

Array

However, the team, comprising of a doctor, an attendant and a driver, will not undertake any major treatments and surgeries.

Array

This mobile clinic is good news for many mahouts like Deepak Deka who cannot afford the massive costs involved in the treatment of the jumbos.

Array

"We will be very happy if these doctors keep coming here from time to time for check-ups. Our elephants have to suffer because they do not get proper treatment and we look forward to them coming back as our elephants have been carrying on without any medical treatment," said Deka.

Array

On the day of its launch itself the mobile clinic treated eight elephants besides conducting general heath check-ups and gave health advice on the elephants to mahouts.