Even by giraffe standards, this was a particularly daunting operation. They’re already among the most challenging creatures to treat — powerful yet physiologically fragile, they cannot undergo full anaesthesia.
But this giraffe was notably large and pumping with adrenaline. After tourists reported him with a snare around his neck, it took two days of aerial patrols to find him. As soon as he was located, our helicopter flew the SWT/KWS Southern Vet Unit to the scene. Dr Lawi darted the giraffe from the air, then ground teams took over and roped him down for treatment.
From there, it was a race to remove the cable snare from his neck, which could have felled even a giraffe of his size. Op complete, hands off, and he was up and gone.