The veterinary care of domesticated elephants in laos

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The veterinary care of domesticated elephants in Laos Florence Labatut, DVM Ingrid Suter, Bach Env.Man (Hons I) ElefantAsia, NAHC, Vientiane, Laos, www.elefantasia.org

of thousands at the beginning of the 1900’s (Chadwick, 1991). About 480 are domesticated, an 40% of ! The domesticated population has an extremely low birth rate resulting in an ageing population with only 20 domesticated elephants under the age of 10. The legal status is dependent on the elephant’s clas ! stock and are managed by the national Department of Livestock and Fisheries. Wild elephant administration is undertaken by the Department of Wildlife and Forestry. The Lao PDR became signatory to the CITES convention in 2004, therefore trade and international sale of this globally endangered species is subject to Summary: The domesticated Asian elephant is quickly disappear- regulation. The government of Laos banned the caping in the Lao PDR. Only approximately 480 domesti- ture of elephants from the wild for domesticated purcated elephants remain in this range state. Since 2007 poses in the late 1970s. a mobile elephant clinic has worked in the logging and tourism industries to treat domesticated elephants and Domesticated elephants in the Lao PDR are mainly advise mahouts and owners. Data shows that 347 do- employed in the logging industry in the north, and tourmesticated elephant were registered within this time- ! " frame with 422 medical disorders treated by the MVU ditional use of elephant for transportation still occurs (about 80% of all domesticated elephants in Laos). The in small remote villages where there is employment main disorders were abscesses caused by overworking for immature and unemployed logging elephants. Elin the logging industry in the north and digestive com- ephants tend to be only used in areas where the terrain plaints in the south. The problem of inadequate access is steep and roads rare, creating access problems. With - the banning of logging in Thailand, and concern this cial veterinarian staff remains. Domesticated elephant may happen in Laos owners are intensifying workloads reproduction rates are very low, with only 20 animals # ! "

under 10 years old and the future of the species unclear. ticated elephants being overworked with no time allowed for elephant reproduction.

Introduction: This article provide an analysis of the sanitary situation of domesticated elephants in the Lao PDR, a country turally and as a animal used in logging and more recently tourism. Once a commonly occurring species, it is now estimated that only 1,200 elephant remain in compared to tens

Tourism is a growing industry, 1.7 million tourists visiting Laos in 2008 up from 500,000 a decade ago (LNTA, 2009). Though new camps are established each year, elephant trekking is still in its infancy. Employment for domesticated elephants is currently low ! $ are employed in both logging and tourism.

$ & of Champassak, Saravane, Luang Prabang, Oudomxay and Vientiane are also visited. The MVU team consists of one Lao government of ! ' planning each mission and informing mahouts of the MVU’s intended visit. ElefantAsia employs a multi requirements of mahouts, as well as acting as a transla & narians joining the mission. Free elephant care training

* ! "

ing and application of supplies, with all instructions listed in a free booklet written in the Lao language.

Several ethnic groups possess traditional knowledge of elephant care and breeding such as the Tai Leu tribe in northern Laos and the Kui tribe, southern Laos. However as the image of a mahout is not highly regarded for younger generations, a widespread loss of knowledge regarding traditional medicine and elephant care has occurred. To rectify this situation, ElefantAsia, an International Non-Government Organisation working for the protection and conservation of Asian elephants in the Lao PDR initiated domesticated elephant conservation projects in 2002. Surveys on mahout socio-economic needs led in 2006 to the commencement of the coun + / : /: ! " /: is based on a similar model used at the Lampang Elephant Sanctuary in Thailand. Information on traditional elephant care and knowledge was translated from Thailand and elephant medical needs recommended from Fowler & Mikota (2006) and Evans (1910). The /: < & = with veterinary medication. It is based in Sayaboury Province, a north-west region of the Lao PDR, which contains an approximate 80% of all remaining domes ! "

Proactive annual missions are organized to different villages and districts at prearranged meetings. Reactive emergency missions are initiated when needed. All medical treatment and supplies are given for free but to install a sense of ownership mahouts must purchase their own drugs for use when the MVU is not present. Most mahouts can afford veterinary expenses. An adult domesticated elephant is worth an approxiamate ₏10,625 and can earn up to ₏1,667 for two months work in the logging industry (Labatut, 2009a). A twoday course of antibiotics for an average elephanst costs approximately ₏7, with owners recommened buying 10 rounds of antibiotics if long-term therapy is required. While these can be considered expensive purchases in a least-developed nation, the MVU shows elephant owners that the price of medicine is relatively small when compared to the animal’s value.

Materials and methods: Data was collected between December 2007 and July medical problems observed and treated. Domesticated elephants are registered using a standardised registra-

aboury Province. Causes given for these deaths include tusk fractures, diarrhoea, overworking, old age, poaching and septicaemia. Figure 1 indicates the most commonly occurring disorders observed in domesticated elephants treated by the MVU in the Lao PDR. Figure 2 is a breakdown of the less frequently found disorders. Percentages are calculated from a total of 315 individuals with 422 medical conditions recorded and analysed. As shown in Figures 1 and 2, most disorders can be associated with work in the logging industry; abcesses & tion form which contains a unique elephant registration due to chronic irritations. Complaints are more comnumber and documents details including the elephant’s monly observed in districts where elephant breeding is name, sex, origin, weight, gait and any medical history and care received. Details are entered into a national domesticated elephant database.

Results: From the period December 2007 to July 2009 medical care was administered to 347 individual domesticated elephants, 55% female, 45% male. Employment varied with 78% working in the logging industry, 10% in tourism and 12% village work or unemployed at the time of treatment. Deaths vastly outweigh births, with an approximate one birth for every 10 deaths.

The reasons given for an elephant’s death are unreliable as post-mortems rarely occur and mahouts fear repercussions for the occurrence of possibly preventable deaths. Additionally, the death of a domesticated elephant Department of Livestock and Fisheries when annual livestock taxes were due, making disease diagnosis impossible. However ly being reported more frequently. From January 2009 – July 2009, 10 domesticated elephant deaths were recorded in the Say

using drugs. For the MVU programme, two drugs are used: Mebendazol for elephants without symptoms of externals parasitises and Dufamec for elephants showing external symptoms. Ventral oedema is rare. Dufamec is successful in treating external parasitises however it is an irritant and can cause numerous abscesses at the site of injection. This can unfortunately make mahouts distrustful about modern medicine. For this reason, Mebendazol was used 84 % of the time.

a new activity and mahouts are young and professionally inexperienced. Domesticated elephants in logging camps are often observed in very poor conditions with chronic and long-lasting medical conditions. These areas also possess higher indicences of inexperienced mahouts being killed by their elephants.

Incidences of uncontrolled musth have increased due to the decline in traditional knowledge and musth management. Some elephants are still employed rather than being seperated and isolated in remote areas as recommended in Gale (1966, pp 45-55). Five emergency visits were undertaken in the last 18 months to logging camps to tranquelize uncontrolable bulls and in 2008 one bull was shot and killed by his mahout to prevent injury.

Given geographical and infrastructure constraints, surFigure 3 shows the parasitic species recorded in a gery or minor operations are not possible. The only study of 13 elephants in 2008. Digestives strongles are big pathological conditions which can be successfully the most common parasite. A good deworming protreated and cured onsite are the treatement of severe abgramme can decrease parasites by nearly 95% after cesses. Veterinarins with the MVU can open abscesses Table 1: Commonly used drugs in the MVU Drugs Dosage Treatment intervals Betadine Diluted 70 % Twice a day Oxytetracycline 20 mg/kg IM 48 hours Negasunt Cover the wounds Twice a day minimum Penicillin streptomycin 4 2 IU/kg IM 24hours Mebendazol 3 mg/kg PO 6 months to 1 year Dufamec 0,07 mg/kg SC 6 months to 1 year Opsar 2 mL per eye Twice a day Archifen 0,5 mL per eye Twice a day

with a scalpel but this should only occur if the mahout agrees to allow the elephant to rest and not work for several days after the procedure.The abscess wound is @ as dilluted Betadine. Once clean an antibiotic spray containing oxytetracyclin is applied. Oxyblue Spray brand is ususallly used for this purpose. Negasunt, an insecticidal powder is also applied to protect the open @ ! Q

< tibiotics such as penicillin-streptomycin 50ml is provided to animals which have an abscess greater than 10 centimetres. The freshness, consistency and location on the body of the abcsess is also a consideration for antibiotic use. The duration of a course of antibiotics for treating an abcess is dependant on the size and age of the abscess. Vitamin therapy is sometimes administered in the instance of weightloss or marked apathy in the elephant. Recovery is predicated on the post-treatment advice taken on by the mahout. Eye discharge is common (15% of all cases treated) due to dust conditions. Eye discharge only becomes a cause for concern when the discharge changes colour, consistency or frequency. A low to moderate eye discharge is common in 90% of all domesticated elephants observed in Laos. Eye problems observed in domesticated elephants can be seperated into two catagories: Chronic diseases such as cataracts, corneal opacity, blindness, and acute diseases associated @ ! X @ @ '

@ ! Q signs of eye infections an antibiotic eyedrop containing chloramphenical like Archifen is applied. Without proper diagnostic tools available in the Lao PDR, the use of eyedrops containing corticoids is not possible. Disgestive disorders such as diarrhoea and constipation account for 10% of cases seen. These are observed more frequently in elephants living in southern Laos where the weather is drier and sources of clean drinking water fewer. Foot care treatment in Laos is very simple and works on the “maximum restraint� technique. Mahouts are advised to put their elephant in an area of the forest small spatial area. Two baths per day are also advised @ & balm such as Counterpain should be applied in the instance of a fracture or chronic limping.

Other diseases observed but only rarely include dermatitis and gential infections. Dermatitis is generally treated by improving skin health. The best remedies in the Lao PDR for this is to ensure the elephant has an increased number of baths, is dewormed and disinfected on a regular basis. Diagnosis of dermatalogical etiology is not currently possible in the Lao PDR. Gential disorders are diagnosed by changes in the colour and smell of urine. Usually problems observed are at a chronic stage. Urinary infections are treated with antiboitics such as oxytetracycline with courses reccommended for at least 15 days.

Discussion: The MVU plays an essential role in supplying muchneeded veterinary treatment to domesticated elephants. Visiting 73% of the population, the MVU can reach a high percentage of domesticated elephants. However, there are a number of factors that limits elephant veterinary work in Laos. Currently there are no veterinary schools in the country and the majority of the 80 Lao national veterinarians were trained decades ago. The country lacks laboratories capable of detecting major infectious diseases such as turberculosis, EEHV or pox fever, so veterinary treatment is reliant on symptomatic observations rather than etoligical diagnosis. The MVU has no labaratory equipment to perform pathology. This also limits treatment of digestive disorders so after animals are dewormed, traditional dietary changes are given such as feeding sticky rice, coconut leaves and tamarind for diarrhoea. If persisting antibiotics such as oxy

! Constipation in domesticated elephants is treated by feeding Chinese watermelons or palm leaves. The remoteness of logging camps makes access to cer ! X =

from Thailand directly to ElefantAsia headquarters in Vientiane. As rural areas do not carry most medicines required for elephant healthcare and there is a risk of spillage if medical supplies are transported. Medicines are preferred if they are readily available at provincial or district pharmacies. As it is the elephant owners and mahouts that care for domesticated elephants on a daily basis, and posttreatment rehabiliation is reliant on the mahout, it is essential that they are provided with basic medical and

product training. Local education about the animal’s conservation status and the need for reproduction is also critical if the elephant population is to recover. To improve veterinary skills, a short educational booklet witten in Lao is being distributed. This gives practical information regarding elephant care, product use and dosage rates. The Elephant Care Manual (2005) from Thailand will also be translated and given free to all elephant owners, mahouts and tourist camps working with domesticated elephants. Currently domesticated elephants in Laos are not vaccinated against preventable diseases. This is due to a fear amongst mahouts about vaccines, and a lack of understanding about the need for preventative medicine. One of the MVU’s current projects is to provide mahouts with a clear understanding of preventative = ! ' elephant owners are educated, a vaccine program can ! Instances of treatment are similar to those found in other areas. Endo and ecto parasites were the second most common disorders and were also common in Sumatra (Stremme et al, 2007). Instances of foot diseases in domesticated elephants are minor (10% of cases) when compared to those of captive elephants in zoos (Culti et al 2001). In most cases no pain or discomfort was shown by the elephant. Nevertheless foot infections do occur mainly after working accidents, UXO explosions or damage from foreign objects. In severe cases treatment and care for these problems is often casts available in Laos. Unfortunately this means any elephant that cannot physically support itself is destined to die.

Acknowledgements We would like to thank all the staff working with the /:& $ Z Maurer. The assistance of Mr David Bowles from the RSPCA is gratefully acknowledged his support for the MVU and his useful comments on the draft. References : Bonnefont C., Cohen F. (2008) Rapport de mission des 5 mois passĂŠs avec ElefantAsia. Sayaboury (Laos) : ElefantAsia, unpublished. Chadwick, D.H. (1991) Elephants - out of time, out of space. Natl. Geog. May: 14. Culti, B., Sargent, E.L. & Bechert U.S. (2001) The Elephant Foot. Iowa State University Press. Ames, USA, p1-163. Evans G.H. (1910) Elephants and their diseases. Rangoon: Elibron Classics: 340p. Fowler M.E., Mikota S.K. (2006) Biology, medicine and surgery of elephants. Iowa: Blackwell publishing: 565 p. Gale U.T. (1966) Phenomenon of musth. In: Burmese, timber elephant. Rangoon (Burma): Trade Corporation, 45-55. Labatut F. (2009a) Rapport de synthèse des soins vĂŠtĂŠrinaires. Vientiane (Laos) : ElefantAsia, unpublished Labatut F. (2009b) L’ÊlĂŠphant domestiquĂŠ au Laos: (Elephas maximus indicus) Aspects culturel et socioĂŠconomique, situation sanitaire et sa conservation. Thèse MĂŠd. VĂŠt.; Alfort, 310p. Lair R.C., Angkawanith T. (2005) Elephant care manual for mahouts and camp managers. Bangkok: FAO, 152p. Lao National Tourism Administration LNTA (2009) 2008 Statistical Report on tourism in Laos. Vientiane: LNTA Planning and Cooperation Department Statistics Unit, 26p. Z!& $! ElefantAsia: annual report 2008. Vientiane: ElefantAsia, unpublished. Stremme, C, Lubis, A & Wahyu M. (2007) Implementation of regular veterainry care for captive Sumatran elephants (Elephas maximus maximus) Gajah 27 pp 6-14.

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