I was called by Parks to assist with sick elephant at Lesoma. Mr. Chili accompanied me.
On arrival there were 4 other wardens present. Elephant was lying under a tree. As I approached it I could see it was in terrible condition. When I got closer to examine it, it rapidly stood up and charged me. I had to defend myself with a quick shot to the brain which euthanazed it immediately
Its left fore leg was very swollen and had a ugly wound on it. This wound was at least 2 weeks old and was extremely infected. The foot pad had detached from the leg and there would have been no chance of this elephant recovering. I had been in extreme agony for weeks and was starting to be aggressive toward humans.
Apart from wound on side of leg there was no further evidence of trauma and this was by my assessment the cause of illness
On going into park at request to take blood samples from a dead elephant at Hatab 1 I received another call from parks of baby elephant stuck in mud at water cart. On arrival baby was stuck in mud and entire family group was attempting to save it.
I scared off herd off with vehicle but mother refused to leave. I darted mother with dart with no drug in it and she would not leave. Then I darted her with 12 mg Etorphine and she fell asleep near baby. We had some anxious moments when we thought mother would fall on baby.
I put a rope around the baby and it was so terrified it slapped me with its trunk which was quite painful. Baby was retrieved from mud by pulling her out with my vehicle. I had to cut the tow strap as baby would not allow me to take it off.
Mother was reversed with antidote and both were reunited.
A large crowd had gathered to observe us. Thank goodness it all worked out OK
I scared off herd off with vehicle but mother refused to leave. I darted mother with dart with no drug in it and she would not leave. Then I darted her with 12 mg Etorphine and she fell asleep near baby. We had some anxious moments when we thought mother would fall on baby.
I put a rope around the baby and it was so terrified it slapped me with its trunk which was quite painful. Baby was retrieved from mud by pulling her out with my vehicle. I had to cut the tow strap as baby would not allow me to take it off.
Mother was reversed with antidote and both were reunited.
A large crowd had gathered to observe us. Thank goodness it all worked out OK
