The culprit, which is all-too-common during the dry season, was human-wildlife conflict. As resources become scarce, elephants increasingly come into contact with humans in their quest for water. Very often, these encounters turn violent, leaving elephants wounded or even worse.

This bull — a young adult — was reported by a community near Kuranze. Kuranze is in the southern reaches of Tsavo, skirting along the Tanzania border. He had been hit by a spear in his front leg. A spear wound is bad enough, but this had been modified with a rebar to drag its target. Worryingly, it had hit the critical knee joint.

Time was of the essence. In order to reach such a remote location in rapid fashion, our SWT/KWS Tsavo Mobile Vet Unit needed wings — and that’s where our helicopter came in. While our rangers mobilised to the scene to confirm the bull’s injuries, the team flew south.

After darting the patient from the air, the team set about cleaning the wound and administering medication to expedite healing and ease the bull’s comfort. Given the severity and location of the injury, Dr Limo has given him a guarded prognosis.

Our teams will continue to monitor the bull’s progress, in case he needs follow-up treatment. Meanwhile, we are working with the area chief to address the human-wildlife conflict that caused his injuries in the first place.