Saving eye-sight of wild animals at WFFT

Hope for the animals

The ophthalmologist team from Chulalongkorn University’s veterinary faculty today joined the WFFT wildlife medical team to asses the situation of the eyesight of a few rescued animals, some brought in recently.

The eyes of Boonmee, the recently rescue elephant, had to be checked really well. Boonmee who is blind in one eye has signs of catatacts in her other eye, and medical treatment is needed urgently to save her from going blind in her other eye. Today we found there might be a way to regain her eyesight in the blind eye, which is good news.

Nee, the completely blind gibbon that was rescued in 2002 might even have some eyesight returned to one of his eyes, however the treatment will be very intrusive, well worth if it would work as his quality of life will be much better if he regains some eyesight again. The other eye is completely lost however. W hope it will work. Nee will go through a very specialized surgery soon, if possible before the end of this year!

Another gibbon also called Nee, was recently rescued from Ranong province after 23 years in a small cage and is blind in one eye. His both eyes will be treated from now on a daily bases as well, to try to heal his bad eye and protect the other.

Nian, the very old female pig-tailed macaque , that has had sore eyes for years was also very securely checked and will receive new treatment and surgery as well. Her illness has been chronic since before her rescue in 2005 however doctors feel her illness can be cured.

WFFT thanks Chulalongkorn University for the great help; WFTT is very proud to work in cooperation with Thailand’s number one veterinary faculty of veterinary medicine.