Elephant who got caught in a snare is fitted with huge prosthetic limb made from recycled rubber
HERE’S an elephant not likely to forget the help he’s had to walk again after losing a limb.
Chhouk, aged 11, had his foot amputated after it was caught in a snare.
Now he can walk, run and swim using a prosthetic made from recycled rubber in Cambodia.
Benefactor Cam Whitnall, 27, of Broxbourne, Herts, said: “He has a great life now.”
“It’s a really special moment, to see what we’re helping to conserve and help, not just Chhouk but all over the world. It’s the best feeling in the world to help animals.
“The level of care that he gets is brilliant and he has a great life now. There’s no better feeling.”
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Cam and the Paradise Wildlife Park fund a new prosthetic foot every six months for Chhouk, which is made at a university in Cambodia.
They have been fitting the elephant with prosthetics for the last five years.
He said: “Because he’s still growing, it needs replacing often and we’ve been sending payments to cover that.
“They’re made out of recycled rubber and some Velcro to tie it up.
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“They weigh about 20kg and we actually got them to send one over and it’s sitting in my office currently.
“It costs us roughly £1,200 a year to fund.
“They use food and a clipping mechanism to get him to turn and adjust his body and are then able to give him a thorough look over to make sure there are no issues.”