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.
During October 2015 to January 2016 the DSWT/KWS Sky Vet program was called to handle 16 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 14 were elephants with injuries including 6 snare cases, 3 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 Amboseli, whilst a vet was also dispatched to Ruma National Park to treat a snared rhino. Other cases saw Nairobi-based veterinary officers flown to the Mara and Meru National Park.