Mobile Elephant Hospital 'Haathi Sewa' Brings Veterinary Care to Injured Wildlife

The 'Haathi Sewa' initiative, meaning 'in service to elephants,' addresses the challenge of providing veterinary care to elephants that cannot be safely transported to stationary facilities. Operated by Wildlife SOS, this mobile veterinary unit brings essential medical expertise, diagnostic tools, and medicines directly to injured or ailing elephants in their environment.

This approach shifts the initial question for rescue teams from 'How do we transport the elephant?' to 'What does this elephant need where it is?' The mobile unit is equipped to handle field diagnoses, wound treatment, sedation, emergency stabilization, fluid therapy, and monitoring. Veterinarians can conduct on-site procedures such as X-rays, blood tests, thermal imaging, eye examinations, therapeutic ultrasound, laser therapy, and specialized foot care.

Co-founders of Wildlife SOS, Kartick Satyanarayan and Geeta Seshamani, along with Dr. Arun A Sha, Director of Research & Veterinary Operations, explained the rationale behind the initiative. Dr. Sha stated, "If an elephant needs urgent medical care, moving it may not always be the safest option. Haathi Sewa is about taking quality veterinary care to elephants where they are." This mobile clinic allows for immediate assessment and decision-making regarding treatment, potential relocation, or the need for longer-term rehabilitation, acknowledging that an elephant's behavior, such as aggression or refusal to move, may stem from fear, injury, or trauma.