Wildlife Alliance

Story from the Field

Chhouk -- the rescue of an endangered Asian Elephant

June 19, 2007

Those of you who saw the Anderson Cooper 360 broadcast on CNN saw Wildlife Alliance caring for Chhouk - an endangered Asian elephant, barely a year and a half old. Chhouk had been trapped in a poacher's snare, and had lost a foot due to his injuries. Wildlife Alliance specialists were caring for Chhouk's injuries and helping to bring him back to health.

Nick Marx comforting Chhouk before he was sedated, treated and transported to the Phnom Tamao Rescue Center for further care and rehabilitation.

But you may not know the story story of Chhouk's extraordinary rescue, and the Wildlife Alliance staff and colleagues who are enabling wildlife like him to survive after being trapped in Southeast Asia's illegal wildlife trade. Here's your chance to learn more:

Backstory: There are only 200-300 wild elephants left in Cambodia, and Chhouk was one of the unlucky ones victimized by poaching and trapping in Cambodia's illegal wildlife trade. He was found after having been trapped in Moldulkiri, in northeastern Cambodia - a remote, mountainous region. World Wildlife Fund (WWF) staff and rangers working in Srepok Wilderness Area found Chhouk found in desperate condition: wandering alone in the forest, with serious foot injuries and infection. Wildlife Alliance sent information to WWF on how to care for the animal and inquired more about its condition, as it was being held at a remote patrol station with little infrastructure.

Rescue: On the guidance of the Forestry Administration and His Excellency Ty Sokhun, Director of the Forest Administration, Wildlife Alliance sent a team of animal care specialists across the country to Mondulkiri, an eight-hour drive across rough roads. Leading the team were Nick Marx, Care for Rescued Wildlife project manager and senior animal husbandry specialist, and veterinarian Nhim Thy, who is also deputy director of the Phnom Tamao Wildlife Rescue Center. Wildlife Rapid Rescue Team members Prom Nol and Lai Chaidet drove and assisted in the elephant rescue. WRRT logistics manager Visedh coordinated the difficult travel arrangements and ensured that all the appropriate equipment was in place to care for the injured baby elephant.

When they reached the Srepok Wilderness Area, Wildife Alliance met with WWF staff and continued the remaining 16 km to the patrol station - a distance that took three hours to navigate over extremely difficult conditions. There they met Chhouk -- small and thin, apparently malnourished and weak from his injuries. He was understandably very upset and nervous: He may have been caught by a snare, and ultimately escaped, but during that time his mother became scared and abandoned him. Wildlife Alliance provided immediate care with antibiotics, special foods, multivitamins, and medical attention to his injured foot and other wounds. Mini Nagendran of the US Fish and Wildlife Service's Asian Elephants Conservation Fund, who was in Moldulkiri at the time, also offered suggestions on appropriate care and treatment. Over the next day the Forestry Administration, Wildlife Alliance and WWF determined that Chhouk could not be kept at the patrol station -- he needed specialized care that only Wildlife Alliance could provide at the Phnom Tamao Wildlife Rescue Center. Due to his injuries, Chhouk will never be able to survive in the wild, and PTWRC is the only facility capable of providing lifetime care for a seriously injuried elephant like him.  

Bringing Chhouk from Srepok to the Rescue Center was an arduous and difficult challenge. We considered using a helicopter to lift Chhouk down from the mountainous area, but ultimately decided to bring Chhouk out over land. Animal Husbandry Specialist Nev Broadis and additional Wildlife Rapid Rescue Team members to Mondulkiri to assist in the rescue. WRRT and Care for Rescued Wildlife staff rigged a secure enclosure in the back of a truck, made of branches and cushioned with banana leaves and rice straw. They carefully tranquilized Chhouk for the journey and guided him into the truck, ensuring that he would be secure and safe during the extremely treacherous 16 km drive from the patrol station to the main access to Srepok Wilderness Area.  The 16 km stretch took almost six hours to safely navigate, protecting Chhouk from distress or further injury. The remaining drive across Cambodia to the Wildlife Rescue Center was interrupted by regular stops to feed and treat Chhouk and ensure that he was comfortable. He was initially fretful, but calmed down when fed turnips and sugar cane. The total drive to safely bring Chhouk to the Wildlife Rescue Center took 26 hours.

Ensuring Chhouk's continued safety and health: Wildlife Alliance animal care staff at the Phnom Tamao Wildlife Rescue Center provide care for six rescued Asian elephants, all of whom are in some way victims of the illegal wildlife trade. Few arrived in more serious condition than Chhouk, however. He will need professional veterinary attention and a specialized diet and care as long as he lives, due to the severity of his injuries. Fortunately, Wildlife Alliance animal husbandry stuff like Nick, Nev, Nhim, and Mr. Tam are specialists at caring for young elephants. Chhouk is now gaining weight, drinking milk and eating rice soup. He has calmed down nicely and his foot seems to be healing. Chhouk is in good hands, but we will be responsible for his care and treatment from now on.

How you can help: Donations to the Sponsor-a-Rescued-Animal program or make an unrestricted gift to support Wildlife Alliance's operations.

Help protect Cambodia's remaining wild elephants: Unless Wildlife Alliance can help Cambodia protect its forests and their wildlife, poaching, illegal snares, and human/elephant conflicts will continue and increase. Contribute to our Cambodia Conservation Program to enable us to work with Cambodia's national parks to help them protect populations of these great animals.