Peering into a derelict tank, a herder on Galana Ranch was confronted with a most unusual sight: a young female lion, trapped at the bottom.

He reported the sighting to our Galana team, who went to investigate. The tank was deep and smooth-sided, which made it impossible for her to clamber out. Given her condition, she had probably been stuck there for at least two days. If she was to get out, she needed a helping hand.

The SWT helicopter flew the SWT/KWS Tsavo Mobile Veterinary Unit to the scene, where they met the SWT/KWS Anti-Poaching Teams. Together, we formulated a plan.

Despite her predicament, the lioness was full of fight. Her paws were rubbed raw and nails worn to stubs from her efforts to climb out. But still, she roared angrily at her rescuers. Dr Lawi darted her and then the team waited about ten minutes before the operation commenced – with lions, especially one in a confined space, one must be very, very sure that they are fully sedated!

Four members of the team lowered themselves into the tank, and swaddled the lioness in a tarp. She was relatively light, so they were able to lift her up to those waiting on solid ground. From there, the lioness was carried to a shady area, where the team treated her wounded feet. Then, all we had to do was wait. (Lions are tricky to anaesthetize: They are given a cocktail of ketamine and medetomidine, which causes deep sedation. One must wait about an hour for the ketamine to fully metabolise before reversing the medetomidine.)

After receiving the reversal, the lioness groggily got to her feet — and, with that, she put the entire incident behind her. Her paws will heal and her nails will grow back. Her pride is in the area; a roar or two will lead them to each other.