In a recent encounter at Loisaba Wildlife Conservancy, conservationists were spellbound by seeing a mature female elephant and her endearing one-and-a-half-year-old calf.
However, the joyous moment was tinged with concern as both elephants exhibited signs of distress.
The mother elephant, visibly limping with a swollen leg, indicated that previous attempts at treatment had been insufficient, highlighting the urgent need for additional medical intervention.
The rescue mission began with carefully navigating dense foliage to reach the distressed elephant. A 15mg dose of etorphine Hcl was administered via a 3ml Dan-inject dart from a vehicle to immobilize, assess, and treat the injured elephant.
While the mother elephant received crucial medical attention, her vigilant calf stood nearby, never venturing too far.
Surprisingly, during the examination, the calf’s left front leg was swollen, with a dislocation at the elbow joint.
Astonishingly, there were no visible cuts or external wounds to explain the injury, leaving conservationists speculating whether it resulted from a vigorous mating encounter or an unfortunate tumble from a nearby cliff.
To aid recovery and address potential internal infections and joint pain, the treatment included Vitamin B12, Calcium (Calciject®), Dexamethasone injection, and Betamox® antibiotic.
After the treatment, the elephant regained consciousness with a 48mg dose of diprenorphine Hcl administered into its superficial ear vein, marking a positive milestone in its healing journey.
