In a first for India, the Ramnagar forest department has developed a simple but innovative solution to protect an elephant's feet when they are injured - shoes.

Laxmi, an Indian elephant aged between 45-50 years, was given shoes to treat her injured feet at Ramnagar, in Uttarakhand state, north India on March 28.

Laxmi's foot injuries were so severe she had to be lifted by crane stand her up after she fell unconscious, in order to receive emergency injections on March 24.

After that the Forest department appointed a medical team, together with a team from Pantnagar Medical university to treat Laxmi near where she had fallen earlier.

Due to infection in her leg she was in pain and unable to move prompting the medical team to come up with this unique idea to make a special shoe for her to reduce her pain.

Officials reported: "Time will tell how effective the 'shoes' [are]. This, we hope, will give relief to the elephant. She was suffering.

It was also reported that although the infection was treated, the recovery period would be slow, since the open sores were exposed to dirt and dust, and the 'shoes' will hopefully be able to counter this.

In a first for India, the Ramnagar forest department claims to have come up with a solution to the age-old issue of elephants developing sores and infection on their feet. A solution that sounds almost impossibly simple - shoes.
Last year, the forest department had captured elephants following directions from the Uttarakhand High Court to take possession of the animals with private individuals in the state and shift them temporarily to Rajaji National Park.

Of the eight elephants at Ramnagar, one elephant, officials said, had developed feet infection. Elephant Laxmi who is between 45-50 years was given shoes on 28th March . laxmi is a same elephant who was lifted by crane to make her stand after she fell and was unable to stand on 23rd of January . After that Forest department appointed a medical team , and a team from pantnagar Medical university was doing a treatment of Laxmi from than only at same place where she fell. Due to infection in her leg she was in pain and unable to move , after that medical team come to this unique idea to make a special shoq for her so that she don’t feel pain.
Official says "Time will tell how effective the 'shoes' "This, we hope, will give relief to the elephant. She was suffering. The infection progressed to the extent that she fell down and had to be lifted with a crane,” an official said.
Officials said that although the infection was treated, the recovery period was slow since the open sores were exposed to dirt and dust, and hoped the 'shoes' would counter this.