Here’s an image from the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust capturing the urgent veterinary rescue of an elephant caught in a cable snare.
You can also watch the full video of this rescue here:
What Happened?
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The Sheldrick Wildlife Trust’s aerial and vet units swiftly responded to a critical case: a bull elephant in Tsavo East had a heavy-duty cable snare tightly wrapped around his leg.
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This snare posed a serious threat—left untreated, it could cause severe injury or even death.
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The rescue was remarkably efficient: within 15 minutes from start to finish, the veterinary team located the elephant, darted him, removed the snare, administered medications, reversed the anesthesia, and watched him walk away—pain-free.
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It’s the kind of rapid-response that Selldrick Wildlife Trust prides itself on, helping elephants in their most desperate moments.
Why It Matters
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Snare injuries are a devastating and common result of poaching, frequently causing agonizing pain, infection, or even loss of limb.
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The ability to rapidly mobilize ground and aerial resources underlines the profound impact of coordinated wildlife emergency response.
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Through this one operation, an elephant’s life was spared—highlighting the life-saving potential of swift, expert veterinary care in the wild.
About the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust
The Sheldrick Wildlife Trust (SWT) is a Kenyan conservation charity founded in 1977 by Dame Daphne Sheldrick, now led by her daughter Angela. SWT is renowned for its:
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Orphan rescue and rehabilitation for elephants, rhinos, giraffes, and more.
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Anti-poaching efforts, including canine units and mobile vet teams.
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Aerial support, empowering swift identification and intervention in emergencies.
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Mobile Veterinary Units operating across Tsavo, Mara, Meru, and Amboseli ecosystems.
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Sky Vet initiative, enabling rapid veterinary deployment across Kenya for injured wildlife.
In Summary
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The rescued elephant with a cable snare suffered from a potentially life-threatening injury—but thanks to the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust’s rapid intervention, the snare was removed seamlessly in mere minutes, and the elephant recovered on the spot.
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This operation showcases the Trust’s remarkable ability to merge aerial surveillance, veterinary expertise, and rapid logistics to save wildlife lives at a moment’s notice.