Sprinkled across the beautiful landscape of rural Thailand, beyond the peaceful rice paddies and the gleaming temples, an unseen danger lurks at every step: land mines.
Left behind from the war-ravaged years of 1970–1988, the country is littered with these invisible explosives. Every year, more than 50 innocent people — primarily low-income farmers and laborers — are wounded or killed by land mines. Their injuries pose grave threats to their communities and their very livelihood.
But it's not just humans that fall victim to these terrifying mines: it's animals, too. Oblivious to the atrocious inventions of mankind, many animals are brutally wounded by these underground explosives every year.
Mosha, a nine-year-old female elephant, was one of these victims. In 2006, at only seven months old, sweet Mosha stepped on a land mine, losing everything below her front-right knee. She was rushed to the MaeYao National Reserve, which was built in 1993 as the world's first animal hospital.
Now, nine years later, Mosha is healthy and thriving — and she's recently been given an amazing gift! Judging by the video below, she's clearly very excited to try it out. I couldn't help but get a little teary-eyed as I watched.
Please SHARE if Mosha's touching recovery brought a smile to your day!
Since 1989, it's estimated that over 20 elephants have been killed by land mines, with many more injured each year. They typically encounter the mines while logging in the forest or searching for food.
Mosha was very lucky to have survived her injury. Although she's mobile, it's obviously a struggle for her to walk around.
Mosha must rest frequently, which she does by propping up her stump and leaning on the wooden rail of her enclosure.
But the MaeYao National Reserve has worked hard to help Mosha regain her strength. Thanks to their devotion and ingenuity, Mosha will be the first elephant in the world to receive this amazing gift: a prosthetic leg!
Thankfully, military authorities locate and deactivate more land mines everyday, and conservatories like the MaeYeo National Reserve are working hard to provide elephants with the protection they need.
Hopefully soon, the threat of land mines will be a thing of the past, and all creatures — humans and elephants alike — can wander freely without fear!
Watch the video below to see Mosha in action — and please SHARE if Mosha's new leg-up on life made you tear up!
