In a heartwarming moment, an elephant recognized the veterinarian who sᴀᴠᴇᴅ his life 12 years ago. The touching encounter between the two took place at an elephant sanctuary in Thailand, where the vet had returned to check on the elephants.

A 31-year-old elephant named Plai Thang recognized the veterinarian who ᴛʀᴇᴀᴛᴇᴅ him 12 years ago.

In 2009, the elephant Plai Thang became sᴇʀɪᴏᴜsʟʏ ɪʟʟ. He was almost ᴅʏɪɴɢ from a constant ʜɪɢʜ ꜰᴇᴠᴇʀ. His body was ᴛʜɪɴ, and his ʜᴜɴɢᴇʀ had wholly ᴠᴀɴɪsʜᴇᴅ.

He sᴜꜰꜰᴇʀᴇᴅ from ᴀɴᴇᴍɪᴀ and ᴇʏᴇ ɪɴꜰʟᴀᴍᴍᴀᴛɪᴏɴ while his back and legs sᴛɪꜰꜰᴇɴᴇᴅ. This is the first case of ɢɴᴀᴛʜᴏsᴛᴏᴍɪᴀsɪs in a wild elephant. He seemed so close to ᴅᴇᴀᴛʜ, and no one believed in a miracle that he would sᴜʀᴠɪᴠᴇ.

One person won’t give up on ᴛʀᴇᴀᴛɪɴɢ him, and he’s veterinarian Pattarapol Maneeon of the Department of National Parks, Wildlife, and Plant Conservation.

After receiving the elephant Plai Thang from the Forest Industry Organization in Lampang, Dr. Pattarapol cared for and ᴛʀᴇᴀᴛᴇᴅ him thoughtfully and carefully for many months.

Dr. Pattarapol’s dedication brought miracles to the elephant. Then Plai Thang was released into the wild.

While patrolling the area a few days ago, Dr. Pattarapol heard the sound of an elephant. He approached and gestured to the elephant to realize it was the same one he had ᴛʀᴇᴀᴛᴇᴅ 12 years ago.

He was sure that Plai Thang knew him when they engaged each other for a few seconds. Plai Thang immediately reached out and touched the vet’s hand.

It was a sign that the elephant was glad to see an acquaintance. They connected closer. When they touched, Dr. Pattarapol heard Plai Thang’s cry in a tone he had never heard in another wild elephant.

It is a special connection between humans and elephants and also an affirmation of the intelligence and gratitude of elephants. Elephants are the official animals of Thailand.

The conservation and care of domesticated elephants and those living in nature reserves are essential. They are such genuinely unique and endearing creatures; they are so intelligent.

The touching moment of Kham Lha recognizing Pattara is a beautiful reminder of the power of human-animal connections. The bond between these two is a testament to the compassion and care veterinarians provide to ɴᴇᴇᴅʏ animals.

It is a heartwarming story that will inspire many to appreciate the incredible bond between humans and animals.