Edited (Shorter) Version of Elephant in Mara Treated then poached again

In May 2013 I assisted KWS in treating this spear and arrow wounded elephant. After posting on FB we were told this elephant was killed in July. He survived in great pain for 2 1/2 months. Kenya has the best anti-poaching units in Africa one can imagine what the other countries elephant populations are suffering...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cURZvU5CXAk&feature=youtu.be

Mandelas Quote: It always seems impossible until its done

Who is this Crazy White man ? ( Masungo)

I often joke with new wardens I meet to break down barriers and to work as a team. Here I taunt them with an electronic cigarette that appears to blow smoke but there is no heat or fire.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PnEcXRxziHQ&feature=youtu.be

There is hope for Africa These children touched my heart

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oKgNP2WZZ08

Treating big tusker in Mara with multiple spear and arrow wounds (watch edited verison please)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0QXHD9I0Qwc


Poachers have now taken to new strategies to kill elephants. Since KWS is so active they use poisoned spears so no gunshots will be heard.  What is most distressing is they shoot arrows into all elephant joints to slow them down so they dont run far. This is an extremely cruel and painful way to die. Kudos to KWS veterinarians for daily trying to stem the tide of suffering. This was taken in May 2013 in Kenya( if you are sensitive skip the treatments to the end where the pictures take over)

SO SAD TO REPORT CONFIRMATION THAT THIS ELEPHANT WAS KILLED BY POACHERS LAST SUNDAY JULY 14. It had suffered so much from its original treatment in May to recover and be targeted again. Along with recent deaths of KWS wardens a few days ago this is devastating to me and the country. Kenya has the best anti poaching efforts in Africa how can this still be happening????? THIS MUST STOP I HAVE NO WORDS......

Poisoned spears and snares often used in Kenya

Poisoned spears are being used more and more. The poachers also throw spears at all joints of elephant to slow them down. Horrific suffering and damage done. Poachers dont want to shoot as KWS is active and can hear gunshots

These terrible snares were found on the boundary between Sable Valley and the Shimba Hills. The arrow heads are poisoned and the poor elephants walking past gets this stuck to his foot with painful and dreadful consequence.

 

Unbelievable even though it was collared and being tracked they still killed it

One by one, big tuskers are taken out of our ecosystem. On Sunday night, gunshots were heard from the forest 7km from the Oloololo gate. Later MC and Mara Elephant Project (MEP) rangers found Heritage, one of the few magnificent bulls in we track and collar.

this area with radio collar, shot dead. Heritage lived peacefully in this forest for many years but with increasing poaching pressure there seems to be nowhere that one can call "safe" for elephants. Elephants roam extensively outside the park and protection beyond park boundary is crucial to their survival. Mara Elephant Project needs help in expanding their rapid response unit (patrol car with rangers) to cover greater area outside the reserve but they are donor dependent project and cannot do without your helpthis area with radio collar, shot dead. Heritage lived peacefully in this forest for many years but with increasing poaching pressure there seems to be nowhere that one can call "safe" for elephants. Elephants roam extensively outside the park and protection beyond park boundary is crucial to their survival. Mara Elephant Project needs help in expanding their rapid response unit (patrol car with rangers) to cover greater area outside the reserve but they are donor dependent project and cannot do without your help! Please donate, share and spread the message that elephants need help!

Pet amnesty day

I had the pleasure of being examining veterinarian in St Pete yesterday. We had 40 unwanted pets handed in and all were adopted out to new families.

Deer hit by car and xrayed

This young buck was hit by a car on SR70. Damen Hurd brought it right to my house for xray. It was very agitated and in a lot of pain. We immediatley gave it tranquilizers and potent pain killers. The deer calmed and was very receptive to us. Unfotunatley it had a broken back and needed to be euthanazed.

 

 

Meet the new rangers-anti-poaching- at Sheldrick's Wildlife Trust

Well done Daphne and Angela Sheldrik a real and meaningful contribiution. KWS rocks.

Blind Fawn treated

Our first fawn this spring. He is only four days old. It appears that he was born with serious eye problems (cataracts) and got separated from his mother. Our vet is treating him for the eye problem.

New X-ray Machine in action

Working with Wildlife Inc. we have been saving tons of local wildlife. I purchased a digital x-ray unit to be used as it’s a basic and indispensable piece of equipment we need. Wildlife Inc. will pay me back in time. A fully grown Tern swal...lowed a fishing hook as seen in x-ray. This is a very common problem we encounter here. With some minor surgery and experience the hook was removed. Damen Hurd our workhorse is shown with patient. I also examined a baby Sand hill crane that is having difficulty walking. X-rays were normal. The splaying out of the legs is seen in a calcium and vitamin d deficiency which we are correcting. Both patients are doing well. The baby Sand hill is the cutest baby bird they almost look prehistoric.
The Bald Eagle with the broken wing was not repairable due to shattered bone and was euthanazed.

 

Baby bear tragedy

I had the pleasure to foster a baby bear that was rejected by its mother as it would not suckle from here. At 2 weeks old it was very week and fragile. One fell in love with the little angel and even though we spent 24/7 caring for it. Unfortunate it succumbed to stress and the mishandling and not being kept warm , before it came to me. On autopsy there was a ligament attached from the stomach to the liver impeding the passage of milk into the intestine. This could have been a congenital or a traumatically induced incident. Regardless he took last breath in my arms. It was very sad and we all cried. Wildlife work can be very rewarding and also very frustrating and depressing. Tomorrows is another day and the sun is shining.

 

 

 

Unfortunate break in immature Bald Eagle

Yesterday we had the opportunity to work with an Immature Bald Eagle female that was hit by a car. She was strong and in good spirits when treated for shock and her injuries. X-rays taken with the new machine I purchased for Wildlife incorporated show a severely fractured left humeus. As compared to the healthy right bone, can see that the bone was fractured in at least 3 places, completely shattering the bone. Unfortunately due to the shattering of bone there is no matrix I can use to pin or repair the wing. The bird is under federal law and you are not allowed to amputate a limb unless it’s just the last third. This healthy bird would be perfect for education purposes that Wildlife Inc. sponsors on a regular basis. We await word from Department of Fish and wildlife on what course to take but unfortunately it’s probably going to be euthanasia. In the interim wounds were treated, antibiotics and pain medicine given and wing wrapped so she can be comfortable.

 

Treating a Swan with broken wing

Last week we had a swan come on with a sever break to its humerus Wildlife rehabilitation Inc. which I have been working for was the recipient. X-rays were taken at a local veterinary clinic and paid for. Surgery was successful and swan is recuperating well. We are trying to raise funds to buy our own x-ray machine as this is an essential tool of my trade. Please donate or at least click on the challenge posted earlier.