In a captivating incident at Karisia Wildlife Conservancy, a young male elephant faced a challenging ordeal with a fracture in its left hind leg near the tarsal joint.
Despite receiving initial treatment at Mpala Wildlife Conservancy twice in two months, the elephant required further examination and care to aid in its recovery.
The David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust stepped in, providing a crucial helicopter to sedate the elephant within an expansive area for the necessary treatment.
Using 16mgs of etorphine Hcl in a 3ml Dan-inject dart, the injured elephant was safely immobilized for examination and treatment, taking approximately 7 minutes for complete immobilization.
The affected left hind leg exhibited notable improvement with reduced swelling, yet it remained stiff and unable to flex, devoid of any visible external injuries.
To support the recovery, the elephant received a precise Vitamin B12 and Calcium (Calciject®) dosage, accompanied by an intramuscular injection of Dexamethasone and multivitamins to alleviate pain.
This marked the third and final treatment, showcasing remarkable progress in the elephant’s recovery.
Recovery and Outlook:
Post the medical procedure; the elephant was gently brought back to consciousness through a combination of 36mgs of diprenorphine Hcl and 50mgs of Naltrexone, administered via intravenous injection in the superficial ear vein.
The elephant swiftly regained strength and joyfully walked away, showing evident relief.
Given the positive response to previous treatments, the prognosis is promising, with expectations high for a complete recovery after the third treatment.
The vigilant security team at the Karisia Conservancy continues to monitor the elephant’s progress, reporting encouraging updates.
