On March 10, 2010, I reported that the Prostheses Foundation began making a new prosthesis for Motala, an elephant landmine survivor featured in The Eyes of Thailand and a permanent resident of the Friends of the Asian Elephant (FAE) Elephant Hospital outside of Lampang, Thailand.
On March 12, Soraida Salwala, the founder of the FAE Elephant Hospital, shared the following pictures of Motala walking on her new prosthesis:
The Prostheses Foundation attach Motala's new prosthesis.
Motala stepped on a landmine in August 1999 while she and her mahout (owner) were logging near the Burmese border. She walked for three days before arriving at FAE’s Elephant Hospital. After 10 years of surgery, rehabilitation and fittings, the Prostheses Foundation presented her with her first prosthetic in August 2009.
Motala takes her first step on her new prosthesis
Motala received her third prosthesis (pictured here) one day before Thailand’s National Elephant Day (March 13).
Motala walks with the aid of her prosthetic limb.
We will continue to share updates and pictures from the FAE Elephant Hospital. Happy National Elephant Day!
Sincerely,
Windy Borman
Director and Producer, The Eyes of Thailand
