Helping Injured Elephants in Ol Kinyei Conservancy

Income from tourism to Porini Safari Camps supports many aspects of running the conservancies in which the camps are set, including the employment of rangers to protect the wildlife. They not only deter poachers but work alongside various third-party agencies in regard to the welfare of the animals.

In the past week, our rangers patrolling Ol Kinyei Conservancy have aided in two separate incidents involving elephants.
On both occasions they noticed the elephants with heavy limps and they immediately contacted the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust / Kenya Wildlife Service Mara Veterinary Unit to request that they take a closer look. Once on the scene they located them in areas of thicket, but as they approached they moved into even more inaccessible areas.
Aerial assistance was sought from the Mara Elephant Project who were able to use their helicopter to guide the elephants into open areas.

A KWS Vet was then able to dart the patients such that the team could safely get close to assess them. On one bull elephant this revealed a 6 inch deep wound to the lower part of his left front leg. On the other, a wound to a hind leg.
In both cases, the team quickly disinfected the wounds and administered pain relief, antibiotics and anti-inflammatories.

The Vet then gave the reversal drug for the anaesthetic and the elephants were soon back to their feet.

Both animals were deemed to have a good body condition, which is an encouraging sign. However, our Ol Kinyei rangers will keep them under surveillance on their daily patrols.
It is income from tourism to our small eco-friendly Porini Safari Camps that pays for the land to be set aside for wildlife, and pays for the rangers to monitor the welfare of the animals, so your safari can directly support conservation of Kenya’s wildlife.

Find out more about how we protect wildlife and support local communities here: Responsible Tourism in Kenya

 

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