New leg for wounded Thai elephant

[emad]

A Thai elephant who lost a foot after stepping on a landmine six years ago has had a temporary limb fitted.

Motala, 44, is set to wear the sawdust filled canvas shoe for up to eight months to help her leg get strong enough for a more permanent prosthesis.

She made headlines in 1999 by stepping on a landmine during work at a logging camp near the Thai-Burmese border.

Vets managed to carry out delicate repairs on Motala's left foot, but the leg was left shorter than her others.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/4193798.stm

[Submariner]

1. I saw the Motola piece on Discovery Channel

awhile ago. It was heart breaking watching the video where they focused on the pain she was in in the weeks/months following the land mine explosion. Good to hear she is getting along somewhat okay. She was in a state of pain that I thought she would give up.

It's too bad she can't go to TN where a female herd of Asian elephants are retired from zoos and circuses.

http://www.tappedintoelephants.com/asp/index.php

[short bus president]

2. that's a nice follow-up on this story.

I recall a show on Natl Geographic about Motala from maybe a year or two ago. It ended on sort of a cliffhanger - not certain whether she'd survive or not. Glad to hear she's made it this long, and it would be wonderful if the new leg lets her live out her years on all 4 feet.