We respond to all manner of wildlife emergencies from snares, spears, arrow and gunshot wounds, to injuries caused through human-wildlife conflict. Working in diverse habitats, Sky Vets patients can include injured and distressed elephants, rhinos, giraffe, zebra, lions and countless other species.
The months of February to April 2014 saw the DSWT/KWS Sky Vet program deployed to seven cases, within the Tsavo Conservation Area, the Masai Mara, the Shimba Hills and Lamu District. This reporting period showed a decline in cases treated by Sky Vets throughout Kenya but also shows that many cases reported were able to be attended by the resident mobile veterinary units operated by the DSWT and KWS.
Four elephant cases were treated, one for a poisoned arrow wound, one for significant bullet wounds, one for a snare, and one under natural circumstances. All cases were operated on successfully; two given a healthy prognosis of recovery and two were given a guarded prognosis due to the severity of their wounds.
The other three cases tended to during this three month reporting period were all lions. All cases were suspected as being caused by natural circumstances whilst all cases have also been given a good prognosis for recovery.