In a heartwarming rescue mission, a young female elephant was spared from the agony of a tightly coiled wire snare that had trapped her neck and left ear.
This remarkable story unfolded on a sunny afternoon, the 22nd of February, when a crucial alert reached our team, thanks to the vigilance of Adriano, an honorary guide and warden.
He reported the distressing situation and provided photographic evidence, capturing a young female elephant amidst a group of around 25 others.
Upon receiving this alarming report, the SWT Operations Room in Kaluku sprang into action to prepare for a potentially life-saving operation.
Meanwhile, photographs of the dangerous snare situation were swiftly shared with Dr. Poghon, a KWS Vet, who concurred that immediate intervention was imperative. However, the late hour was challenging as it was already 3 p.m.
To surmount this obstacle, a helicopter was rapidly equipped with vital veterinary gear, including straps, water, medications, green clay, and wire cutters.
By 3:30 p.m., the helicopter was en route to Voi to pick up Dr. Poghon from the SWT/KWS Tsavo Veterinary Unit.
With a vet and assistant in tow, the team proceeded to Ibis Point, situated west of Tsavo East’s Sala Gate, after receiving intelligence about a sub-adult elephant ensnared in a wire trap.
Arriving at 4.20 pm, they were met with the sight of two large elephant herds on either side of the Galana River.
Identifying the injured sub-adult amidst the large herds seemed daunting. Still, the team’s keen eyes proved invaluable as they spotted the distressed female sporting a floppy ear due to the snare, confirming Adriano’s initial sighting.
The open landscape along the river eased the process of keeping a watchful eye on the elephant. The team promptly landed and prepared to administer a tranquilizer dart.
Dr. Poghon meticulously calculated the dosage for the elephant’s size and, with the assistance of pilot Andy, skillfully delivered the tranquilizing shot.
The helicopter guided the elephant toward the support team waiting on the plains, armed with the necessary equipment.
The team observed with bated breath as the groggy elephant knelt and gently descended to the ground, a short distance from their location.
With the vet beside the slumbering elephant, he wasted no time addressing her wounds.
Using wire cutters, he skillfully removed the snare, which appeared to be crafted from a high-tensile cable, possibly derived from a vehicle’s clutch cable.
After freeing the elephant from the snare, the vet meticulously cleaned and dressed the wound with green clay to facilitate healing.
The elephant received antibiotics and anti-inflammatories to ward off infection and reduce inflammation.
When Dr. Poghon signaled that it was time to rouse the elephant, the team loaded their equipment onto the helicopter, securing everything for a swift departure once the elephant regained consciousness.
Although it took the elephant a few attempts, she finally managed to stand on her feet and gradually rejoined her waiting herd at the river’s edge. Dr. Poghon remains optimistic about her recovery from the neck wound.
The team basked in a sense of accomplishment, knowing that their rapid and coordinated efforts had successfully liberated the young female elephant from the harrowing clutches of the snare trap.
