The patient was initially a human-wildlife conflict case: He had taken up residence on community land, so the SWT helicopter was sent to shepherd him back to the safety of Tsavo East National Park. In the process, our pilot noticed something amiss with his trunk. We quickly realised it was a poacher’s snare, cinched tight.

The SWT/KWS Tsavo Mobile Vet Unit rushed to the scene and, with support from our Aerial Unit, darted the patient. From there, treatment was swift and straightforward. The snare had been in place for at least three months, and in that time, the resultant wound had completely healed over. However, the wire noose would never have come off without intervention.

An African elephant’s trunk is a feat of natural engineering. It has over 40,000 muscles, which allow it to function even with holes or scar tissue. This muscular complexity also means the trunk is in constant motion, which is why sutures were not a viable option in this treatment.

Despite the gravity of the injury, the elephant is breathing, eating, and drinking as he should. Even with lasting battle scars, he will be able to lead a full and healthy life. Our very own Enkesha, an orphan who suffered a snared trunk as a baby, can attest to this.