It is not uncommon for our SWT/KWS Mobile Vet Units to treat multiple patients in a single afternoon — and our Aerial Unit helps make that possible. After the Mara team received reports of two elephants arrowed in human-wildlife conflict, they mobilised urgent treatments.
Treatment 1 • Photos 1-3
The first patient was a female in very poor condition, riddled with infected arrow wounds and an abscess. KWS veterinarian Dr Njoroge darted her from the SWT helicopter, and the team cleaned and disinfected the wounds before packing them with healing green clay. Thanks to this intervention, she is expected to make a full recovery.
Treatment 2 • Photos 4-6
The second patient was a bull with a fresh arrow wound on his flank, with the arrowhead still embedded inside. He was also darted him from the air. After he succumbed to the anaesthetic on the ‘wrong’ side, the team flipped him over using straps and a vehicle to access the wound. Treatment was successful, and he too should make a full recovery.
—
Human-wildlife conflict is a complex and growing challenge. Working alongside the Kenya Wildlife Service and field partners, we are working to mitigate the root issue and help the animals caught in the crosshairs.