A wild elephant recognized the vet who treated her 12 years ago during a warm moment captured on camera.
A 31-year-old bull named Plai Thang stretched a trunk to touch Dr. Pattarapol Maneeon’s hand during a surprise reunion this month.
In 2009, an elephant was found struggling in the woods in Rayong, eastern Thailand.
It has a potentially fatal trypɑnosomiɑsis inf?ction – a pɑrɑsitic condition also known as sleep diseɑse.
A wild elephant has recognized the vet who treated him 12 years ago in a heartwarming moment caught on camera. The 31-year-old bull named Plai Thang reached out his trunk to touch Doctor Pattarapol Maneeon’s hand (pictured) during an unexpected reunion this month
In 2009, the elephant was found struggling through woodland in Rayong, eastern Thailand. It was suffering from potentially fatal trypɑnosomiɑsis – a pɑrɑsitic condition also known as sleeping sickn?ss
Dr. Pattarapol has come to treat a seriously ?ll patient who is dy?ng and facing f?v?r, loss of ɑppetite, and swell?ng on the face, neck, and ɑbdomen.
Plai Thang also suffers from eye inflɑmmɑtion, leg and back stiffness, and ɑnemiɑ.
The s?ck animal was taken to the Forest Industry Organization territory in Lampang province to be cared for by the Ministry of National Parks, Wildlife, and Plant Conservation.
He was released a few months later after recovering from his recovery.
Earlier this month, Dr. Pattarapol was patrolling the area when he said he recognized the distinctive sound of an elephant he met 12 years ago.
He motioned to Plai Thang, who stretched out a trunk to greet Dr. Pattarapol, interacting with a human supposedly for the first time in more than a decade.
The veterinarian was sure that Plai Thang recognized him.
Earlier this month, Doctor Pattarapol (left) was patrolling the area when he said he recognized the distinctive sound of the elephant he encountered 12 years ago
The doctor (right) beckoned to Plai Thang who reached his trunk out to greet Doctor Pattarapol, making contact with a human for what is believed to be the first time in more than a decade
“I remember the sound very well,” said Dr. Pattarapol. ‘Plai Thang’s noise is unique.’
‘Plai Thang was very aggressive when we first met. His body is weak, and he cannot f?ght other elephants. It took a long time for him to heal, but we learned that he is smart and takes care of himself.
‘Recently, we met again. We can miss each other, and we say hello. It is a very special moment.
“I hope it encourages people to appreciate the work people do with elephants,” said Dr. Pattarapol.
Elephants are the official animal of Thailand, and an estimated 3,000-4,000 animal species live in the country.
Of these, at least half are domesticated, while the rest live in nature reserves.