Das Elefantenkrankenhaus von Thailand (360° - GEO Reportage)

They suffer from broken bones, malnutrition, have been abused, dehydrated, or even stepped on a mine. For many Asian elephants, these conditions are certain death. But in northern Thailand, there is a place that has been a refuge and often a last resort for many years: the Elephant Hospital. This is where prosthetic legs were fitted for the pachyderms for the first time. A film by Markus Zwilling © 2016, Licensed by MedienKontor / ARTE Subscribe to wocomoTRAVEL: https://goo.gl/tIk2Qc Follow us on Facebook:   / wocomo   Press release: Elephants are an integral part of Thai culture. The animals are considered lucky charms, the royal family maintains its own army of elephants, and until the end of the last century, the animals could be legally used as working animals. But when it came to caring for sick animals, for a long time no one was responsible for it, or in fact, no one wanted to be responsible. It took a woman who, with her iron will, came along and, with a determined heart, set up something that was considered unthinkable until 1993: an elephant hospital, professionally equipped, open around the clock, offering free treatment for every elephant in need of care. A rescue center for sick and injured elephants that was, to that point, unique in the world. 360° - GEO Reportage spent three weeks with the veterinarians and keepers. Soraida Salwala is the founder and owner of the first elephant hospital in Lampang. Together with her veterinarians and keepers, she wages a daily battle for survival to ensure the continued existence of this institution. Five animals live here as long-term patients and, due to their medical history, can no longer return to their owners. Up to ten other animals are in constant treatment. They are physically and, in some cases, mentally ill. They have experienced too much trauma. The most spectacular cases are two elephants who lost part of their legs to landmines and are the only elephants in the world with prosthetic legs. However, these prostheses have to be painstakingly replaced time and again. Motala, the elephant, has been waiting for a new prosthetic for two years. Producing a replacement leg for animals weighing up to four tons is never routine, and so the hospital staff have been eagerly awaiting the completion of a new prosthetic for Motala for months. Will they be able to help the elephant again?