Dubai: A six-year-old South African boy was attacked by a baboon at an animal farm in Dubai and had to undergo a complex joint reconstruction surgery to save his hand.
The incident occurred when Laiken Steyn was visiting the farm with his parents on March 8.
His mother Annalie Steyn, who witheld the farm’s name told XPRESS: “Our son Laiken asked us to take him to a farm where he could see animals. We decided that this animal sanctuary was a good choice. Shortly after arrival, we bought a bucket filled with a variety of foods to feed the animals.”
Thankful mother
She said Laiken had done the rounds with the goats, tortoises, ostriches, emus and ducks before he came to the baboon. He had also taken a pony ride.
The baboon was inside an enclosure when Laiken held out a carrot. “Suddenly, the beast reached out through the fence, grabbed Laiken’s hand holding the carrot, pulled his arm into the cage and bit him,” said Steyn.
“I was just a few inches away from him but it happened so quickly. Laiken was screaming. His index finger was bitten and he was in a lot of pain.”
She and her husband immediately rushed him to the private Mediclinic City Hospital where he underwent surgery the same evening. “He came to the Emergency at around 3pm. An X-ray revealed that the underlying joint at his second finger was dislocated. His joint capsule was completely torn and there was a laceration in two tendons of his index finger. We rushed him to the operation theatre where we had to fix all of this,” said Dr Yasser Khattab, Specialist Plastic Surgeon at the hospital.
He said the wound was first cleaned and a culture swab taken to rule out micro-organisms — common in any animal bite. Laiken was also started on IV antibiotics to guard against infection.
“We then reconstructed the injured joint and repaired the joint capsule, tendons and laceration,” said the doctor. “He was on antibiotics for a week and was put on a splint for four-six weeks. Once the cast is out, he will need intensive physiotherapy.”
Dr Khattab said Laiken could have lost the use of his hand if he had not been treated on time.
“It could have led to infection, stiffness and destruction of the joint, resulting in loss of functionality of the hand.”
Laiken is the only child of his parents. His mother said families visiting animal farms should excercise caution. “My advice to parents is keep themselves and the kids at least two metres away from cages where animals can reach out. sanctuaries must also use a smaller mesh to prevent kids from putting their arms in and animals grabbing them.”
Braving it with a smile
Little Laiken, who was at the hospital on Monday for a dressing, braved the procedure with a smile. “A baboon bit my finger,” he said. Asked if he was afraid of animals after the incident, he said: “I love cats and dogs. But our cat died three weeks ago.”
A Grade 1 student at Gems Wellington Academy in Dubai Silicon Oasis, Laiken missed classes following surgery. “Yesterday was his first full day,” said his mother.
“I can’t write now with my right hand. But I can click on the computer with my other hand.” said Laiken.
Dr Khattab said the boy’s right hand was healing nicely. “He should be fine soon.”
