SWT/KWS Sky Vets Report for June - September 2021

Published on the 16th of October, 2021

During June to September 2021 the SWT/KWS Sky Vet program was called to handle 20 wildlife cases, 14 of which were supported by the SWT helicopter and fixed wing aircrafts to help with darting operations, rescues, searches, and rapid transport of vets to emergency cases. The other 6 cases involved outsourced helicopters or chartered planes.

16 of these cases involved elephants including,9 poaching cases; 2 snared, 5 spear and 2 arrow injuries. Other elephant cases involved 2 human-wildlife conflict cases, 3 for natural causes and 2 collarings. Of the 16 cases, all were successfully treated, successfully collared and 1 orphan that was taken to the orphanage after it was separated from its herd due to conflict between two warring tribes which caused the family herd to panic and flee.

The other cases included a snared buffalo and a leopard. Unfortunately, the buffalo died during a treatment attempt as its aggression caused strangulation and the leopard was euthanised as its right paw had been completely severed. In 1 case 3 lions were treated for poisoning in retaliation to livestock predation. The Sky Vet Program also assisted with the search of a baby rhino after its mother was found dead but unfortunately it was not located.

Out of the 20 cases treated there was an 75% success rate and 5% of cases survived but were given a guarded prognosis. Sadly, 10% died due to poaching and 5% were taken to an orphanage. 1 Case was not located.

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