Thai baby elephant gets water-based treatment for injured foot

PATTAYA, Thailand - A baby elephant took a tentative dip in a swimming pool in Thailand on Thursday as part of a lengthy rehabilitation process to heal her injured foot.

Baby Fah Jam was three months old when her front left leg was caught in a trap set by villagers in Chanthaburi province, 250 km (155 miles) southeast of the capital, Bangkok.

Fah Jam, a five-month-old baby elephant, is pictured in her enclosure at the Nong Nooch Tropical Garden in Pattaya, Thailand January 5, 2017. The baby elephant was injured at three months old when she got stuck in an animal snare put up by villagers to prevent elephant intrusions in Chanthaburi province. The hydrotherapy is thought to help her exercise her bicep muscles and help her walk again as she has been refusing to stand on all four legs. REUTERS/Athit Perawongmetha

Veterinarian Padet Siridumrong said Fah Jam, who is now five months old, was showing signs of improvement following initial water-based exercises known as hydrotherapy.

Thai veterinarian Padet Siridumrong (L) treats Fah Jam's injury on January 5, 2017. REUTERS/Athit Perawongmetha

"By her fourth or fifth sessions she will enjoy swimming more. She's just a baby, that's why she's a bit scared at first but, by nature, elephants love the water," Padet said.

The treatment could take up to two months, he said.

Fah Jam ('Clear Sky') receives assistance from her guardians during a hydrotherapy session on January 5, 2017. ROBERTO SCHMIDT/AFP

The elephant is a symbol of Thailand and in ancient times they were used to carry soldiers into battle. They were also used in the logging industry.

But logging has been banned and many domesticated elephants have ended up on the tourist trail, giving rides and putting on displays in shows.

Animal rights groups have criticized the use of elephants in the tourism industry, arguing that the animals are often mistreated.

There are about 3,700 elephants left in the wild in Thailand and up to 4,000 domesticated ones, according to EleAid, a British organization working for the conservation of the Asian elephant.

Deforestation, rapid urbanization and poaching of elephants for their ivory have all contributed to a dramatic decline in the wild elephant population. — Reuters