Update on injured elephant bull, Fishan.

Three months ago, Fishan, one of the oldest elephant bulls in the herd, fractured his lower ulna bone in his front left leg, when he accidentally stepped into a hole.
After two separate treatments on his leg, it was decided a month ago, to try let his leg heal naturally, and monitor his progress.
Fortunately, Fishan has been walking very small distances, and is slowly applying more pressure on his leg over time.
The rest of the herd head out into the wild every day from morning to evening, and Fishan has had to remain at the stables in the company of our carers, who have been incredibly patient and considerate to his situation at all times. They continue to read to him throughout the day.
We recently started leaving the gates of the stables open, and since then has often walked up until the gate, where he would then turn, and return to the stables. However, the last two days he has moved further out into the open ground just outside the stables (which you can see in this video). This is good progress.
His appetite remains healthy, and he is enjoying a good selection of vegetables (including whole butternuts as seen in the video), branches, lucerne and bana grass. He is also receiving extra calcium and magnesium supplements.
The leg is still swollen, though it has reduced minimally. The extreme heat temperatures over the past couple of weeks has not helped.
Overall, he has shown some positive progress, especially with his mobility, which is one of the most important factors at the moment.
Thank to everyone for their love and support for Fishan.

[@marpro765]

Fishan is such a wise, gentle, kind soul. Thank you to all who are looking after his wellbeing. ❤

[@AmandaLarsson100]

Dear Fishan enjoying Butternuts? and stories! Thank you for the wonderful team work @campjabulani

[@Kim-lc3fv]

Thank you for the update! I am so happy to hear of the modest, but positive progress. Fishan appears to be quite enthralled with the reading. What great therapy! ( I believe Tigere is recording the video, but who is feeding and who is reading? ) Keep getting well, Fishan, big boy! 🙂💕🐘

[@carmenl163]

He eats a whole pumpkin like I eat one grape!

[@lyndathomson2557]

When can he return to the herd, it’s been such a long and lonely recovery.... what are they reading to him?

[@Jabulani]

hi Lynda, sorry to only see this comment now. Fishan is still with the herd in the evenings, when they return from their day out foraging. So he is not lonely at all in the evenings. It all depends on how fast his leg heals, as soon as he feels he is ready he will no doubt head off with them. But they go quite far out into the reserve, so we hope he may take short trips out. Time will tell. Regarding the books, they have read such a variety, from newspapers to Africa Geographic, to magazines.