During February to May 2016 the DSWT/KWS Sky Vet program was called to handle 15 wildlife cases several of which were supported by the DSWT helicopter to help with elephant darting operations as well as search and monitoring operations using the DSWT’s fixed-wing aircrafts.

Of all the cases attended there were 13 elephant cases including 4 spear cases, 2 snare cases, 4 poisoned arrow cases and 1 case with a gunshot wound. KWS Veterinary Officers were flown predominantly to Tsavo East and West National Parks, as well as Meru National Park, the Chyulu Hills and Amboseli National Park. The other 2 cases included white rhinos in Meru.

Out of the 15 cases, 14 of the cases were given a positive prognosis whilst one of the cases was given a guarded prognosis due to the severity of the elephant’s spear wounds. Without rapid veterinary response the majority of these cases would have died from their injuries. The elephant calf ‘Luggard’, who was rescued from Tsavo East and given immediate treatment most certainly wouldn’t have survived his ordeal and his terrible wounds without timely intervention.

The DSWT is hugely grateful to Lori Price for her unwavering support of our Sky Vets program and for helping our teams to save the lives of Kenya’s threatened and endangered species.