An elephant at Amsterdam’s Artis zoo has been given a contact lens after damaging her eye in a tussle with other elephants, Nos television reports. The operation is a first for Europe, the broadcaster says.

The injury to Win Thida’s cornea was spotted by vet Anne-Marie Verbruggen, who decided to give her a new lens. Verbruggen has carried out similar operations on horses.
The operation took place with the elephant standing up and Verbruggen on a ladder and took about an hour to complete. The vet hopes the contact lens will protect the elephant’s cornea while it heals.