DSWT NEWSLETTER 2012 Nursery Arrivals and their Rescue Stories
she took water, and throughout the night, a little milk, but collapsed and had to be put on life support during the afternoon of the 22nd which afforded us the chance to be able to take a closer look at the injured foot and to clean the sepsis from the deep holes in the sole, whilst packing the wounds with antibiotic ointment and green clay, and administering a long acting Penicillin injection. The veterinary prognosis was never encouraging, casting a shadow over whether this elephant would ever be able to lead a normal life again, because although the foot injury could be healed over time, the tendon, ligament and possible bone damage which left the back leg paralysed could be irreparable. Meanwhile all of the Nursery orphans came to her stockade door every day to give her rumbles of love and encouragement, which imparted the important will to live. 20th March 2012 Male Approx age on arrival; 20 months - A lone male baby elephant aged about l8 months was spotted alone on Ol Malo Ranch by the Ranch’s Samburu Scouts who reported it’s presence to the Ranch Owner/Manager, Colin Francombe. A Scout was then allotted the task of monitoring the calf to verify that it was, indeed, an orphan with no chance of rejoining its natural family. This man spent the next two days and nights diligently watching the elephant and verified that it was obviously an orphan, since it made no attempt to join up with passing wild elephant herds, and nor did the wild elephants make any attempt to make contact with it. The baby was also visibly fearful, most of its tail already having been bitten off by predators. It spent most of its time hiding in thick cover, obviously terrified of further predator attack. Being still milk dependent the orphan was losing condition rapidly and becoming visibly weaker. It was likely to have been orphaned either through “problem animal control” when its mother and herd ventured onto neighbouring agricultural settlement, or else was a victim of poaching, which is especially rife in the adjoining tribal Pokot country.
Kanjoro
The rescue team equipped with all the necessary paraphernalia and medication immediately set off by air from Wilson Airport in Nairobi heading to the Ol Malo Ranch airstrip, where a truck and helping hands were awaiting them so that they could be driven to the location of the orphaned calf. The calf was easily and very proficiently rescued thanks to so many willing helpers, whilst Keeper Amos was leading the team. By late evening the young bull was safely in a stable between Orphans Mutara and Ishanga, who eagerly extended their trunks to greet and comfort the new arrival, their close proximity having an instant calming affect on the newcomer, who was soon taking milk from our “Elephant Whisperer” (Keeper Mischak Nzimbi). He had the guts to actually jump into the stable with this wild orphan in order to feed it and after a bit of shoving and pushing, it downed the milk hungrily followed by two bottles of water and rehydrating electrolytes in quick succession. We would like to thank the Ol Malo Ranch owners and their Staff for the amazing cooperation they extended to our team, and also warmly congratulate the Scout who monitored this calf and saved its life. His vigilance kept hyaenas at bay and prevented them from inflicting more serious damage to this unfortunate orphan who was given the name “Kanjoro” – after the lugga in which he sheltered.
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