India’s first ‘hydrotherapy pool for jumbosat’ for the elephants suffering from arthritis, joint pain and foot ailments is in Mathura district of Uttar Pradesh.
The jumbo pool, situated is 11-foot-deep and has 21 high pressure jet sprays that create water pressure that massage the elephants’ feet and body and help in increasing blood circulation.
According to an official of the Wildlife SOS, “Rescued elephants from extreme distress, privately owned and had the cruel history of being used for begging and some spent a lifetime in captivity and confinement as temple elephants or were being forced to perform in circuses will be given therapy treatment”.
“Captive elephants in such situations are made to navigate environments that their body was not built for. Standing on concrete for prolonged periods becomes an invitation to the early on-set of arthritis,” said a wildlife SOS, adding, “Due to lack of improper foot care, the toenails and cuticles of the elephants overgrow and become more prone to cracking. As such, standing and walking becomes painful for these long ranging animals.”
Dr. Yaduraj Khadpekar, Senior Wildlife Veterinary Officer said, “With each elephant rescue, we have observed a disturbing pattern in captive elephants- their bodies are weakened due to improper nutrition, their bodies and delicate feet are riddled with wounds and painful abscesses. Osteoarthritis and foot issues are common ailments. Water resistance is useful for muscle strengthening and cardiovascular training whilst water pressure can reduce oedema and swelling.”
Kartick Satyanarayan, the co-founder and CEO Wildlife SOS said, “The jumbo hydrotherapy pool installed at the Wildlife SOS Elephant Hospital is equipped with 21 high pressure water jets that massage the elephants’ feet and body and help in increasing blood circulation.
This is a critically important component of the treatment as it also helps oxygen and vital minerals to reach the muscle tissues.”
In November 2018, India based wildlife conservation charity Wildlife SOS established the country’s first and only fully equipped Elephant Hospital in collaboration with Uttar Pradesh Forest Department. Situated on the banks of Yamuna River in Mathura, the Elephant Hospital is located near the Wildlife SOS’ Elephant Conservation and Care Centre (ECCC), which is home to over 20 rescued elephants.
The hospital is equipped with state-of-the-art modern facilities like Wireless Digital X-Ray, Laser Treatment, Dental X-Ray, Thermal imaging and Ultrasonography to treat injured, sick and geriatric elephants.
