A battle against snares and poaching: the FOUR PAWS Kenya vet unit
May brings the end of the raining season in Kenya – and for the work of Dr. Jeremiah Poghon and his colleagues this often means a slow but steady increase in the cases they need to take care of. In recent months, the members of the FOUR PAWS Kenya veterinary unit experienced a number of unusual cases, such as the rescue of an injured lion cub and the treatment of an elephant that had been the victim of poachers and later turned to attacking the crew’s vehicle.
 The young lion was estimated to be about three months old when it was found in the region of Lamu. The cub was dehydrated and captured by the use of a cage trap. It was transported to Tsavo East Park, which is the main area of operation for Dr Poghon and his team. The animal also had various injuries that may have been self-inflicted. Upon arrival the female lion was nourished on glucose fluids and later on milk, until it regained its strength and recovered quickly. She now receives extended care at the Nairobi orphanage. The renowned institution, which is run by partner organisation The David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust, is approaching the limits of its capacity.
A rampant elephant
The unfortunately still very high number of cases involving snare traps takes its toll on all species - carnivores as much as waterbucks and antelopes. Several animals who had been caught up in the vicious snares were briefly immobilised, so the snare could be removed. In most cases antibiotics were administered in order to prevent infections during the healing process. Darts and spears are also used frequently by poachers, particularly now that the elephant population recovers noticeably. One elephant that had survived such an attack, was spotted on the territory of the nearby Galana Ranch, but several attempts to catch it had to be abandoned as the seemingly stubborn animal had retreated to a river bank surrounded by crocodiles.
Adventurous rescue
 The pachiderm’s rescue continued to be adventurous when endeavours to approach and immobilise it for treatment were continued the next day. Ultimately, the team managed to gain access to the severely wounded animal’s hideout and tranquilise it with an etorphine dart. The wounds, which were as assumed caused by a high velocity trajectory, were cleaned and antibiotics administered, Difficult as it had been to stun the large animal, reviving it turned out none the easier: ropes had to be used to get the elephant back on its feet, upon which the giant charged into one of the security vehicles. Luckily, no-one was injured and the difficult patient left the scene with a solid prognosis of recovery.
|
|
International
Europe
Austria
Bulgaria
Germany
Hungary
Netherlands
Romania
South Africa
Switzerland
Ukraine
United Kingdom
USA
