CHIANG MAI – The Lampang Elephant Hospital has brought together veterinarians from universities, the Zoological Park Organization, leading animal hospitals, and orthopedic specialists to save a newborn elephant calf from Chiang Mai.
The male calf is only one day old and is thought not to have suckled yet. He was kicked by his mother, which left the upper part of his right foreleg fractured. The mother reportedly injured a previous calf in the past, but that calf was saved in time.
According to Lampang Elephant Hospital at the National Elephant Institute under the Royal Patronage, Forest Industry Organization, the unnamed elephant calf was brought in on the evening of 6 October 2025. He had fallen after being kicked and was unable to stand.
On arrival, the team found him alert and responsive. He had grazes on his body and the right side of his face. There were no signs of internal bleeding. All four legs still had sensation and movement.
The Elephant Calf Fractured Its Right Humerus
There was swelling at the right shoulder and clear pain. X-ray images confirmed a fracture of the right humerus. Such injuries in adult elephants rarely heal well due to many limitations in care. Because this patient is a small calf, the team still sees a chance for recovery.
As of today, 8 Oct, Dr Sarun Chansittiwet, Manager of the Elephant Conservation Division at the National Elephant Institute, said the calf is stable and under active treatment.
The case has support from many partners. Teams include veterinary faculties from Chiang Mai University and Kasetsart University, veterinarians from the Zoological Park Organization of Thailand, specialist orthopedic vets from several animal hospitals, and human orthopedic surgeons from Lampang Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University.
The Essential Work of Lampang Elephant Hospital
The Lampang Elephant Hospital, part of the Thai Elephant Conservation Center (TECC), is widely regarded as Thailand’s first and largest state-run elephant hospital. Founded under Royal Patronage in Northern Thailand, it is far more than a clinic. It offers free medical care to sick and injured elephants, both wild and privately owned, from across the country.
The team manages complex cases, including the recent rehabilitation of the tusker Sak Surin. Vets and carers work around the clock. They treat infections, digestive problems, accident injuries, and trauma from landmines. Long-term rehabilitation is a core service, with leading work in prosthetics that helps elephants return to a better quality of life.
The hospital also plays a key role in conservation. A mobile clinic reaches elephants in remote areas, where on-site treatment can be the difference between life and death. Staff train and advise mahouts on good husbandry and welfare.
The TECC teams also carry out academic research, including disease surveillance and breeding studies. They contribute to a national elephant database that tracks health, lineage, and care needs. This combined approach, medical and educational, helps protect Thailand’s elephants and supports their future across the kingdom.
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