On the morning of 15th June, the SWT/KWS Tsavo Mobile Veterinary Unit received a dire report: Two young lion cubs had become trapped in a pit on Kuku Ranch. Stuck at the bottom of the cavernous hole, they had no chance of escape on their own. While we organised a rescue operation, Kuku Ranch management, Amboseli KWS officers, and Lion Guardian teams kept watch over the cubs.
Two lion cubs had become trapped at the bottom of a pit
The team was met with a grim scene: The female cubs, who were about six months old, had likely been in the pit for about 36 hours. They were weak and frightened, sticking close together in their prison. We cannot be sure how they found themselves at the bottom of the pit, but evidence of a nearby kill indicated that they had been with their mother until the fall. Given that the pit was about four metres deep, they were well and truly trapped. It was too steep and too deep to escape unassisted.
After anaesthetising the pair, a rescue team used a ladder to descend into the pit
While the cubs cowered below, the team developed a plan. Despite their young age, the pair were still predators and would need to be immobilised. After both had succumbed to the anaesthetic, the team lowered a ladder into the pit. Several rescuers climbed down and placed the cubs onto a stretcher, one at a time. Once they were back on firm ground, Dr Limo gave them a thorough examination. No injuries were detected, but they were given an antibiotic injection for prophylaxis and a systemic antiparasitic drug to get rid of internal and external parasites. Finally, the anaesthetic reversal was administered.
One by one, the cubs were lifted on a stretcher
Cognisant of their empty stomachs, the team distributed supplemental food to the cubs. The girls ate with gusto, clearly ravenous after their ordeal. Now, all we needed was a happy reunion with their mum.
Once reaching firm ground, they were given a thorough veterinary examination
Teams monitored the cubs overnight, ensuring they didn’t come to any harm. The following day, about 12 hours after their rescue, their pride prowled through the area and scooped up their babies. We can only imagine how relieved their mother must have been to discover that her cubs had been miraculously rescued in her absence.
They were fed supplementary food while we waited hopefully for their mum to reappear
One more miracle emerged from this harrowing situation. Students and teachers from Iltilal Secondary School watched the rescue unfold. They were captivated by the operation and delighted by its positive outcome. These experiences go a long way in engendering a passion for conservation among Kenyans. This is particularly important in rural areas like Iltilal, where many have a complicated and often fraught relationship with wildlife. In fact, the students felt so invested that they volunteered to fill the pit, in order to avert any future incidents. In a single afternoon, seeds were planted to nurture the next generation of conservationists!
Finally, 12 hours later, she came to fetch her girls — a happy reunion indeed