During the July to September 3-month reporting period the DSWT in partnership with the Kenya Wildlife Service and their four dedicated KWS field veterinary officers, treated 103 wildlife cases.  The majority of these cases treated by the Tsavo, Mara, Meru or Amboseli Veterinary Units included elephants; and out of 65 elephants treated overall, 18 were treated for poisoned arrow wounds, 13 for spear wounds, 5 for bullet wounds and 5 for snare injuries, whilst other cases included post-mortems, natural causes and non-medical cases. Other wildlife cases involved lions, black and white rhinos, buffalos and a number of other species.

Out of all of these emergency operations 73% of the treatments had a successful outcome, whilst 18% of the cases were sadly reached too late to save.  Those 4% of cases given a poor prognosis have been monitored by all parties involved in the operation, with one of the Mobile Veterinary Units close at hand should a follow up treatment be needed.  Above and beyond these permanent mobile veterinary operations the DSWT/KWS Sky Vet program has also been active in supporting the field units when cases reported are unable to be attended.  The Sky Vet report will be published on the DSWT website in November 2014.

A summary and photos from all cases attended by all four of the DSWT/KWS Veterinary Units during this reporting period can be viewed here: