In a remarkable collaboration between the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust (DSWT) and the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS), a male elephant faced a life-threatening situation in July, injured by two poisoned arrows.
The joint efforts of these organizations showcased an extraordinary rescue mission to heal the majestic creature.
Late on July 22, Taru Carr-Hartley, Daphne’s grandson, discovered the wounded elephant in the Northern Area of Tsavo.
Safety concerns prevented immediate treatment, leading Taru and DSWT pilots Neville Sheldrick to relocate the elephant at first light the next day.
After an extensive three-hour search on July 23, the injured elephant was in the dense bush.
Dr. Jeremiah Poghon, the KWS Veterinary Officer leading the DSWT-funded Tsavo Mobile Veterinary Unit, was flown in to assist in the challenging task.
The elephant had arrow wounds on opposite sides: one on its right front leg and another on its left side.
Darting the elephant on the ground proved problematic, prompting the use of the DSWT helicopter. Dr. Poghon looked at the bull from the secure platform of the hovering helicopter.
Once immobilized, a ground team, guided by a DSWT pilot in an aircraft, reached the location through thick vegetation to begin treatment.
The veterinarian played a crucial role in ensuring the elephant’s safe sedation. Controlling the descent in the thick vegetation was challenging, but the team opted for an open area around 500 meters away.
The ground team, guided by the helicopter pilot, treated the first injury on the bull’s leg, removing necrotic tissue and applying antibiotics and anti-inflammatory medications.
The wounded elephant then needed to be flipped onto its opposite side, which was achieved by securing ropes around its legs and using a grader to assess.
The second injury, with a poisoned arrow, was carefully addressed, extracting the arrow and cleansing the wound.
Despite the challenging circumstances and a week of untreated injuries, the elephant is expected to recover with no puncture to its stomach lining fully.
The entire treatment procedure lasted slightly over sixty minutes.
As the anesthesia wore off, the majestic creature, estimated to be around 45 years old, managed to regain its footing, signaling a promising recovery.
This collaboration between KWS and DSWT-funded Veterinary Units, along with Sky Vet, has spanned more than 15 years, successfully treating 2,362 elephants.
The dedicated efforts and generous support from DSWT donors have assisted injured elephants and wildlife in need.
Heartfelt gratitude is extended to the KWS and DSWT personnel for their exceptional efforts in challenging circumstances, saving the lives of these magnificent creatures.