A veterinary surgeon knows as the Jungle Doctor has been applauded for fitting prosthetic legs to elephants that landmines have injured in the wild.
Thailand (11 May 2021) – Dr Chloe Buiting, also known as the Jungle Doctor, is going viral with photos of her fitting elephants with prosthetic legs! And the act of kindness is giving us all the feels!
The origin of why the elephants need prosthetics is tragic, but Dr Buiting’s work is so important for these beautiful mammals. Without the help of Dr Buiting and cutting edge technology that creates prosthetics for the elephants, many of them would have been euthanised, and every single day, the passionate Vet wakes to fit these gigantic creatures with their prosthetics and then meets them again in the evening to take them off.
“With the help of prostheses, elephants can learn to walk again and live full lives that would have otherwise been impossible. It gives the elephants quality of life that they otherwise wouldn’t be able to have,” she explains.
“The hospital does groundbreaking work that helps elephants who have lost their legs from landmines,” she told 7 News.
And it’s her passion and kindness for these elephants, that has made this story trend around the globe.
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But Dr Buiting has saved countless animal lives and is giving hope for the survival of critically endangered species worldwide, saying that some of her career’s most ‘eye-opening’ moments came from her time spent treating elephants and rhinos in Africa.
The Aussie Vet worked in South Africa, taking care of elephants from areas frequented by poachers, which was an eye-opening experience but it also helped her understand the nuances that you don’t see until you are there in person.
“Sadly, a lot of animals there are facing severe pressures. From habitat loss to wildlife crime and animals being sold on the black market, Africa can truly be a brutal place,” she said.
“Thankfully there are so many incredible teams on the ground working to stop the slaughter of these animals by getting them out of the danger zone.”
And thankfully, there are good people like the Jungle Doctor looking after the world’s animals.
For more information or to follow her work, check out her Instagram by clicking here.
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