Our teams in the field are wholeheartedly devoted to safeguarding wildlife and upholding conservation as their primary objective. Even though each member has a distinct responsibility, all of them share an unyielding passion for conserving the environment. During one December expedition at Galana Ranch, the SWT/KWS Chyulu Mobile Anti-Poaching Unit encountered a male elephant struggling in the Lali Hills.
One of our team members noticed that an elephant had a swollen leg and needed urgent care. This exemplifies our team’s collaborative approach to protecting and nurturing animals. Our competent rangers took swift and efficient action by informing our Kaluku Field Headquarters, who promptly organized medical assistance.
Dr. Poghon led the SWT/KWS Tsavo Mobile Vet Unit which was transported to Voi via a trustworthy helicopter. Our dedicated rangers and KWS staff worked together to carefully observe the elephant’s state of health throughout this critical time. With everyone in place, the bull was expertly sedated from the air with the assistance of the helicopter. The ground teams then guided the relaxed creature towards them in a secure fashion.
Out of nowhere, the elephant stumbled and landed on its already-injured ankle, impeding our team’s ability to attend to it. Fortunately, we had anticipated such a scenario and came prepared with customized elephant straps and our trusty LandCruiser to carefully relocate the animal. In due time, we were able to administer the necessary treatment required for the elephant’s recovery. Dr. Poghon shared that this particular elephant had received medical attention for a snare injury last year, which had healed nicely. However, its ankle continued to suffer from swelling and infection.
While the doctor meticulously tended to the injured area, the patient slowly regained strength. Unexpectedly, a raging storm brewed outside when the bull abruptly rose to its feet, stirring up a glimmer of hope in more than one sense.
