In a commendable display of collaboration to safeguard wildlife, Olarro Conservancy rangers recently aided a giant bull elephant with severe injuries.
The majestic creature bore a suppurating wound on his right foreleg near the shoulder, accompanied by a more minor discharging wound on his right thigh.
Recognizing the urgency, the rangers promptly contacted the Mobile Veterinary Unit for immediate assistance.
Upon examination, the veterinary team found the bull elephant in an open area, displaying overall good body condition despite the distressing injuries.
To address the health issues, the team employed chemical restraint, administering 18mgs of Etorphine hydrochloride through a 3ml dan-inject dart from a vehicle.
After 12 minutes, the elephant assumed sternal recumbency, allowing for a careful examination and ensuring comfort.
The examination unveiled a septic spear wound on the right foreleg, just below the shoulder, and a deep penetrating wound, likely a gunshot injury, on the left thigh.
All soft-tissue injuries received meticulous care, including debridement with hydrogen peroxide, rinsing with clean water, disinfection with tincture of iodine, and infusion with Cloxacillin ointment.
Oxytetracycline topical spray was also applied, and the elephant received parenteral administration of Amoxicillin antibiotics and Flunixin anti-inflammatories.
Remarkably, the veterinary team determined that the lodged object in the wounds did not significantly impede the elephant’s activities, allowing him to coexist with it positively.
The anesthesia was reversed by administering 42mgs of Diprenorphine hydrochloride through the jugular vein, enabling the elephant to wake up and move away within three minutes.
The prognosis for the bull elephant is optimistic, and conservancy rangers were advised to monitor him closely, providing regular progress updates.
This successful intervention underscores the pivotal role of conservation efforts and veterinary care in ensuring the well-being of wildlife in their natural habitats.
