In a swift and compassionate response, the SWT/KWS Mara Veterinary team came to the aid of a distressed elephant mother in the Mara North Conservancy after receiving a report on April 24 about an arrowhead lodged in her ear.
Facing challenging terrain, the veterinary team and a ground crew from the Mara Elephant Project and their helicopter undertook a two-hour trek to reach the injured elephant. The location, a small hill surrounded by volcanic boulders, posed accessibility issues.
However, the combined efforts of the ground team and the helicopter guided the mother and calf downhill, allowing the veterinary team to treat the injured elephant safely and safely.
Complicating matters, the mother’s calf was nearby, requiring the team to work efficiently. The experienced veterinarians acted swiftly, extracting the arrow tip, cleaning the wound, removing dead tissue, and applying disinfectant.
Antibiotics were administered to the nursing mother to facilitate a speedy recovery.
During the procedure, the calf remained close to its sedated mother, but the quick response of the veterinary team ensured a shortened operation time.
As the mother and calf briefly scattered opposite directions after waking up, a helicopter and the veterinary team’s guidance facilitated their reunion. The heartwarming moment saw the two elephants happily walking away together.
The favorable health prognosis for the mother brings hope for both her and the calf to thrive in the Maasai Mara ecosystem, marking a successful rescue and a touching reunion.
