In good hands, elephant calf recovers from injury

Conservation efforts of Xishuangbanna rescue center pay off

A wild elephant calf, found with a wounded leg and left behind by a migrating herd in Yunnan province's Xishuangbanna Dai autonomous prefecture, has recovered thanks to the care given to it by Asian Elephant Breeding and Rescue Center workers in the prefecture.

In July last year, the calf, later named Longlong－meaning "dragon" in Chinese－was found by rescuers roaming around Manfeilong village in Pu'er city with injuries to its left front leg. A team of more than 100 workers from several local government departments was immediately dispatched to assist the calf.

The team located the calf's family about 5 kilometers away, but the animal's injuries meant it could not join the herd. The rescuers caught the calf, treated its wounds with anti-inflammatory medication and transported it to the rescue center.

Several days after the calf arrived at the center, it became accustomed to its new environment and began to eat grass and drink goat milk. Thanks to the careful treatment of rescuers, the calf gradually recovered from its injuries, and received routine daily checkups. It also took part in specially-designed rehabilitation and wild trainings with the help of keepers designated by the center.