These heartwarming images capture the journey of Chhouk, a young elephant who lost a leg to a poacher’s snare but now thrives with the aid of a prosthetic limb.

Discovered at less than two years old in a Cambodian forest, Chhouk was severely malnourished and suffering from an infected wound when a wildlife worker rescued him.

He was relocated to an outdoor enclosure where Cambodian medics fitted him with a prosthetic leg, giving him a new lease on life.

A decade later, Chhouk’s caregivers report that he is so accustomed to the prosthetic that he becomes upset if unable to wear it.

Chhouk walks gracefully on his custom-made prosthetic leg, crafted by Cambodian medics after he lost his limb to a poacher’s trap.

His story is a testament to the resilience of this remarkable animal and the dedication of those who worked tirelessly to restore his mobility.

An X-ray of Chhouk reveals the absence of his limb, a sobering reminder of the poaching incident that caused his injury. The trap had cut off blood flow, leading to the loss of tissue in the affected area.

The Cambodian School of Prosthetics and Orthotics provided Chhouk with his prosthetic leg, marking a crucial step in his rehabilitation. This collaboration highlights the efforts made to improve Chhouk’s quality of life.

Chhouk enjoys a dip in the pool, accompanied by another elephant named Lucky. He spends his days in a spacious outdoor enclosure, enjoying the company of his fellow elephant and the care of his dedicated team.

Nick Marx of Wildlife Alliance, who first tended to Chhouk in the forest, recalls the dire condition in which he was found. “He was in a terrible state and seemed certain to die. He was badly injured and extremely thin. It seemed only his fighting spirit was keeping him going,” Marx shared.

The WWF team that discovered Chhouk had tied him to a tree to prevent him from wandering off, a necessary precaution to protect him in his weakened state.

The elephant was sedated, treated, and transported to Phnom Tamao through a difficult terrain. Marx expressed his concern about the rocky path, fearing that if Chhouk fell, he could suffer further injury.

In 2007, Chhouk was discovered in a Cambodian forest, malnourished and injured from a poacher’s snare. To protect him, rescuers secured him to a tree before transporting him to safety.

Following his injury, Chhouk was carefully moved to the Wildlife Alliance rescue center, where a dedicated team cared for his wound.

They sedated him weekly to clean the wound, remove damaged tissue, and re-bandage his leg. Over time, Chhouk’s leg healed, with the skin eventually covering the remaining stump.

Chhouk’s prosthetic leg, provided by the Cambodian School of Prosthetics and Orthotics, has become an essential part of his daily life.

According to Nick Marx, Chhouk becomes irritable if he cannot wear the prosthesis, especially when there’s a sore on his stump that prevents him from using it.

Chhouk confidently roams his outdoor enclosure, supported by his prosthetic leg. Rescuers ensure he receives a nutritious diet of leaves, branches, cane tips, bananas, grass, and coconuts to aid his rehabilitation.

Chhouk’s prosthetic leg is carefully inspected and refitted each evening to ensure it functions properly.

His footwear is changed, and he is brought indoors overnight for his safety. This routine reflects the commitment to maintaining Chhouk’s well-being and comfort.

The new design of Chhouk’s prosthetic leg is described as “lighter, stronger, and quicker to change.” He quickly adapted to the new prosthesis, running around his enclosure minutes after trying it on.

As the first elephant in Cambodia to receive a prosthetic leg, Chhouk enjoys daily care from two attendants who manage his diet and foot care.

His routine includes a variety of foods, and his prosthetic change is tied to mealtime, using hunger as motivation.

Chhouk spends his days with Lucky in their outdoor enclosure. Each evening, his leg is examined, the shoe is changed, and he is brought indoors for the night. This careful attention underscores the dedication to Chhouk’s successful rehabilitation.

Every morning, Chhouk is released from his night stall, and his caretakers diligently attend to his needs throughout the day, with special attention to his foot care.

In the accompanying image, they fit his prosthetic, showcasing their commitment to ensuring his comfort and mobility.

Rescuers proudly highlight Chhouk’s successful rehabilitation as the first elephant in Cambodia to be fitted with a prosthetic leg. His journey is a testament to the progress made in elephant care and rehabilitation.

Chhouk is pictured alongside Tam, a member of the Wildlife Alliance team responsible for his care. This collaborative effort reflects the compassion and dedication of those committed to Chhouk’s recovery.