COLOMBIA: Elephant gets tusk-saving surgery

The zoo in the Colombian city of Barranquilla successfully performed surgery on a five-tonne African elephant found on a ranch owned by drug traffickers.  Thirty people were involved as the elephant, named Tantor, was sedated for three hours. Root canal work was performed on a cracked tusk.  Over a hundred people raised money for the […]

The zoo in the Colombian city of Barranquilla successfully performed surgery on a five-tonne African elephant found on a ranch owned by drug traffickers. 

Thirty people were involved as the elephant, named Tantor, was sedated for three hours.

Root canal work was performed on a cracked tusk. 

Over a hundred people raised money for the operation, which cost over $8,500 (£6,500).

Police had to close off the road outside the zoo and divert traffic to install a crane in case the elephant had to be lifted during the procedure. 

Tantor is believed to be about 50 years old.