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Elephant caught in snare.

Category: Elephants, Snares | Date: Jul 06 2008 | By: Kimojino

Late Friday afternoon rangers from Ngiro-are outpost reported that they had seen a young, bull elephant with a snare caught around his right, hind leg. KWS were called on Saturday morning and were fortunately in the area and so were able to come to the Triangle immediately.

Dominic from KWS treats elephant.

Dominic from KWS treats elephant.

It was also fortunate that the wire snare had not yet cut through to the bone, just the outside tissue.

Wire Snare caught around foot.

Wire Snare caught around hind leg. 

The elephant was darted at 10:30 am and fell down at 10:34. The procedure was started at 10:35 and then by 10:40 the snare was removed. The elephant was given an injection to wake up and was standing by 10:45.

Elephant wakes up after operation.

10:45. Elephant wakes after procedure.

A very impressive operation carried out by KWS, and we commend them for such an excellent job. Once the elephant woke he was even walking without a limp.

Ngiro-are rangers yesterday reported seeing the bull elephant at 4pm and said that his condition was good and he was still walking fine. They will continue to check on his progress.

12 Responses to “Elephant caught in snare.”

Evanson Kariuki, on 06 Jul 2008

Thank you guys for acting so expeditiously to safe the Elephant from a slow and painful death. it is unfortunate that snaring for Bushmeat is impacting on all species of wildlife including non targetted species. i greatly appreciate the great work that you do. i have not known any other ranger force that is so committed as you are. keep up the good work and i hope that people out there will help you keep going financially especially with the migration heading to the Mara.

Dana-Phoenix Arizona, on 06 Jul 2008

Thank heavens the Rangers spotted this ellie and the KWS, Dominic were able to respond so quickly. Evanson is right saying how committed you all are. Each and everyone of you are heros!!

Evanson, you used to patrol with Anne’s group didn’t you? In fact, back in 2003, we were with you and Dr. Kashmir, trying to find and capture a young ellie that too had a snare around one of it’s legs. Unfortunately, the outcome was not successful and the young one was not able to be saved. His snare had cut through the bone. Horrible death for any animal.

William, on 06 Jul 2008

It is also Evanson who we are collecting the questionnaires for - we filled another six for you yesterday and I believe Sarisa will keep sending you the copies by email.

Fair Trade, on 06 Jul 2008

Well done to the Ngiro-are rangers for saving this elephant from a terrible death - it shows us again what fantastic work you’re all doing in difficult circumstances.

Jean-Claude S (France), on 06 Jul 2008

The photographs show all the evil that certain human can make to an animal. Thank you to you and all the opérateurs who have put on foot this superb elephant. I don’t forget the photographe…Thanks.

Annie, on 06 Jul 2008

My god……..look at his flesh! Just awful..thanks for acting so quickly to save this poor baby! May he heal in peace!

Lisa, California, on 07 Jul 2008

Poor guy! Very glad you were able to save him. If only every operation could be that smooth! Great job! Lisa

scienceguy288, on 07 Jul 2008

That looked like a pretty nasty wound. Glad you guys found the poor fellow.

kimojino, on 07 Jul 2008

Thanks everyone for your comments and being so concern about the painful inflictions by poachers to wildlife. We are just at the beginning of the wildebeests` migration season, therefore alot must be done by the Rangers to save the situation, otherwise things will go the opposite.Full time patrols must be put in place and this means sufficient funds to finance this operations.Patrol vehicles needs fuel and service repairs in order to cruise through the hardest terrains.
We are really wondering about all these, given the fact that tourists gate fees are not yet sufficient to foot our operating cost.

Jo Anne , Florida, on 08 Jul 2008

Great work guys, you are the best, It shows just how dedicated you are. I had the pleasure of working with the Kws several years ago. If only the world could see the harm that these animals come to in the hands of the poachers. All of us just have to keep reminding the world of this horrible practice.

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