Due to the dry season, this quarter has been marked with an increase in elephants falling into wells, usually dug by people for watering livestock. This has been especially prevalent in Kuranze Ranch, which is far south, skirting along the Tanzania border. On 7 separate occasions, 17 elephants were extracted from wells, including an elephant with 2 babies, and two cases of a mother and a single calf. On the 30th September a total of 7 elephants were extracted from a steep sided dam, requiring the mobilisation of an excavator for such a huge task. Thankfully, after a long day and a lot of teamwork, the herd were finally freed in the early hours of the morning.

The Unit also rescued two elephant calves, one with severe lion injuries and another that was found alone. A further 5 elephants were treated for spear (1), arrow (1) and snare (3) wounds as well as 2 zebras and a giraffe treated for snare injuries. Sadly, two of the elephants succumbed but the other animals were given a good prognosis.

Out of the cases treated there was an overall 69% success rate.