Miss Tripod gets a new prosthetic leg

KUALA GANDAH: Selendang the elephant, who nearly lost her front left leg in a wire-trap, a decade ago, now has new lease of life, after being fitted with a prosthetic leg.

The 12-year-old Pachyderm is now able to walk and balance normally with the aid of the prosthesis.

It was some 10 years-ago, that Selendang, then a three-year-old, almost lost her leg, when it was caught in a man-made wire trap, in August 2007, near Felda 3, Rompin.

Nicknamed Miss Tripod, her new prosthetic leg was through the generous courtesy of Export-Import Bank of Malaysia Berhad (Exim).

Her mahout Khairol Adha Mat Amin said fixing the prosthesis will not only involve physical but also psychological treatment as Selendang had also suffered a mental trauma.

“Due to her young age trauma, Selendang needs therapy every day to help regain her confidence. “Also, this is not her first time with the prosthetic leg, she was previously fitted with six others but elephants grow bigger every six months and we’re thankful for the donation,” he said.

“Our challenge here is to have it fitted and train Selendang as she has already begun to feel more comfortable without the prosthesis,” said Khairol.

Limb Brace Rehab Appliances prosthetic maker Frank Lim said in order to make it more comfortable for Selendang to walk, the prosthesis must be fool-proof so there's no room for her to open it.

“Assuming the cast fits well, she will be able to walk around the sanctuary … we will see within one week whether the prosthesis suits her or not,” said Lim.

Department of Wildlife and National Parks (Perhilitan) Deputy Director general Hasnan Yusop said the opportunity presented by Exim bank for Selendang was amazing, as it will finally see her have a specific prosthetic leg, suited for her.

Exim vice president Mohd Nasir Johar hoped the prosthetic leg, will enable Selendang to walk with confidence.

“I hope this will let the public be more aware of the Kuala Gandah sanctuary which is to help preserve the elephants

“We should not just rely on the government to protect the nature but we ourselves need to play our part,” said Nasir.

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