As soon as we got wind of a baby elephant that had been attacked by lions, we knew we had to move quickly. Despite being with her mother and sibling, the bites had become infected and posed a very real threat to the whole family. Urgent action was required if we were to save them.
The mother and her little one were unable to move, as the older sister stood by patiently.
The SWT/KWS Tsavo Mobile Veterinary Unit received a report on June 21st about a trio of elephants that were sighted near Buchuma Gate in Tsavo East National Park. The calf in the group had been injured, with bite wounds on her knee likely caused by lions. The poor thing was experiencing a lot of pain and the wounds had become infected, making it difficult for her to move around. Given that she was still just a year and a half old and dependent on her mother, her inability to keep up with the rest of the family put them all in danger.
It is common practice to sedate the mother when treating baby elephants. In this particular incident, the bites on the baby elephant were assumed to be from a lion and had become infected. The mother was very protective and refused to leave her baby’s side during the treatment. To ensure safety, Dr. Limo anaesthetized both the mother and the baby while the older sister was moved to a safe distance.
Dr. Limo is optimistic about making a complete recovery after receiving treatment for her wound. The medical team efficiently cleaned the wound and administered long-acting antibiotics and anti-inflammatory medication. After recovering, both the mother and baby were reunited with their older sister and they ventured off into the wilderness together.
Following the medical attention provided, the entire family was able to come together once again. Dr. Limo has expressed positivity towards the calf’s full recovery due to the timely medical intervention. Although she may experience a slight limp as a result of her experience, it is not expected to have a significant impact on her overall well-being. The most crucial aspect is that she will be able to grow up alongside her loved ones, just as nature intended.