HEARTWARMING MOMENT AS ELEPHANT RECOGNISES VET WHO TREATED HIM 12 YEARS AGO

A heartwarming moment was caught on camera as a wild elephant recognised the vet who treated him 12 years earlier.

The 31-year-old elephant, named Plai Thang, stretched out his trunk to touch Doctor Pattarapol Maneeon's hand during an unexpected reunion.

The elephant was found back in 2009, struggling through woodland in Rayong, eastern Thailand. Plai Thang was suffering from potentially fatal trypanosomiasis. The parasitic condition is also known as sleeping sickness.

Poor Plai was "close to death" and contending with a fever. He also showed a loss of appetite, swelling on his face, neck and stomach, and was also suffering from inflamed eyes, stiff legs and back and anaemia. Doctor Pattarapol soon arrived to treat the poor sick elephant and try to save it.

The frail animal was taken to the Forest Industry Organisation's territory in Lampang province. There, he was treated by staff from the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation.

After several months of being treated, Plai was released back into nature.

Recently, Doctor Pattarapol was patrolling the same area Plai lives in. This was when he encountered the same elephant after recognising the distinctive sound of Plai from 12 years previously.

This was the first time in a decade that Plai Thang made contact with a human, reaching his trunk out to greet Doctor Pattarapol. The vet is convinced that Plai Thang recognised him.

Doctor Pattarapol explained that, "I remember the sound very clearly. Plai Thang's noise is very unique. Plai Thang was very aggressive when we first met. His body was weak, and he could not fight other elephants. It took a long time for him to heal, but we learned that he was smart and could take care of himself.

"Recently, we met again. We could remember each other, and we greeted. It was a very special moment. I hope it encourages everybody to appreciate the work that people do with elephants."