In the vast wilderness where wildlife thrives, a grim threat looms for young elephant calves – deadly snares.
These cruel traps, initially set to catch animals for food, pose an indiscriminate danger to all creatures, particularly vulnerable young elephants.
As they roam freely, these innocent giants unwittingly step into concealed wire loops, cleverly anchored to solid bases like trees.
Trapped, they struggle to break free, only to find themselves trapped in a tightening noose that could end their lives.
Over the years, our team has encountered numerous cases of elephant calves ensnared by these treacherous traps.
Among them, the stories of Enkesha and Mwashoti stand out as particularly severe, forever altering their lives.
Recently, we rescued another victim from the clutches of a snare in Tsavo, providing her sanctuary to recover in our Nairobi Nursery. Stay tuned for her remarkable story.
In October, an urgent call from Mara Triangle revealed a distressing scenario: three calves, all under two years old and still dependent on milk, entangled in wire snares cutting into their necks.
Like most elephant victims, they had struggled to free themselves, inadvertently worsening their predicament.
The snares tightened, leading to sepsis and life-threatening injuries. Our SWT/KWS Mara Mobile Vet Unit acted swiftly, responding to treat the wounded calves.
The first victim, a mere ten months old, suffered severe damage to her trachea as the snare constricted around her neck and jaws.
The second, approximately two years old, he faced a similarly harrowing injury, with the snare impairing his jaw’s movement.
The third, a twenty-month-old female, endured excruciating pain as the snare gripped her neck and front leg, making nursing, drinking, and walking agonizing.
These innocent beings were tormented due to the cruel wire loops that inflicted grievous harm upon them.
In each case, the protective mothers steadfastly refused to abandon their suffering offspring, adding complexity to the rescue.
Nevertheless, our mission was clear: maintain the natural family unit whenever possible. Dr. Limo used a tranquilizer dart on the mothers in the first and third cases, ensuring safe treatment.
During the second operation, the Mara Elephant Project provided aerial surveillance to keep the vigilant mother at bay.
Ground support for all three operations came from rangers and dedicated staff from the Mara Conservancy, Anne K. Taylor Fund, and Mara Elephant Project.
Witnessing such innocent beings endure the pain and trauma of snares is heart-wrenching. Fortunately, timely intervention saved the three calves with snares slicing through their necks and forelegs.
Dr. Limo tended to their wounds, reuniting them with their mothers, hoping for a swift recovery. Ongoing observations by rangers will ensure they receive any additional care they may require.
The battle against snare traps in Kenya rages on, with a recent case involving a 9-year-old elephant treated by our SWT/KWS Tsavo Mobile Vet Unit (Funded by Vier Pfoten) just days later.
Thanks to your unwavering support, these Vet Units can swiftly respond to crises like these, offering innocent beings the care and treatment they need for a brighter, healthier future.
Watch the video below:
