India Gets Its First Specialsed Hospital For Elephants; Here's All You Need To Know

India is home to 50-60% of all elephants in Asia. Therefore it is paramount that we take sufficient steps to ensure safety of the species.

India's first specialized hospital for elephants was formally opened by Agra Divisional Commissioner Anil Kumar at Farah block's Churmura village. The unique medical centre offers wireless digital X-ray, laser treatment, dental X-ray, thermal imaging, ultrasonography, hydrotherapy and quarantine facilities.

The hospital is located near Agra, in the Farah block of Mathura near the Elephant Conservation and Care Center (ECCC) run by Wildlife SOS.

The facility is jumbo sized with a built-up area of nearly 12,000 square feet with observation area for overnight monitoring of elephants under treatment using Close Circuit Infra-Red CCTV cameras. An observation deck will allow veterinary students and interns to observe and learn about elephant's behaviour and treatment from a safe distance.

"This is a huge milestone for elephant protection in India. This hospital will help us take better care of injured elephants in distress," said Kartick Satyanarayan, co-founder and CEO Wildlife SOS.

"We hope this hospital will put India on the map as a scholarly destination for humane management of elephants which will go a long way to address the protection and conservation of elephants in India!" he added