When a wild elephant remembered the veterinarian who treated him 12 years ago, a poignant incident was recorded on video. Plai Thang, a 31-year-old elephant, stretched his trunk to embrace Dr. Pattarapol Maneeon's hand during an impromptu reunion.
The elephant was discovered in a jungle in Rayong, eastern Thailand, in 2009. It was infected with trypanosomiasis, a parasitic infection that may be lethal.
When Doctor Pattarapol came to treat the ailing jumbo, it was "near death" and suffering from a fever, loss of appetite, and swelling on its face, neck, and stomach. Plai Thang also had anemia, tight legs and back, and swollen eyes.
To treat the sick animal, a team from the Department of National Parks, Wildlife, and Plant Conservation was brought to the Forest Industry Organization's site in Lampang province. He was freed after many months of recuperation.
Plai Thang was a very belligerent elephant when they first met. He was unable to fight other elephants due to his fragile condition. Despite the fact that his rehabilitation took some time, he was highly brilliant and self-sufficient. They just reunited, according to Doctor Pattarapol. They recognized each other and exchanged greetings. It was a genuinely remarkable event.