Watch as Roan-Carr Hartley walks us through the operation

The case was reported by Friends of Arabuko-Sokoke Forest and the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS). The snare, likely set by poachers to catch medium game like antelope, had wrapped tightly around his foot. The injury was quite advanced, causing his pain and limiting his mobility.

This was not going to be a simple operation. The Arabuko is a dense forest with extremely limited visibility. The only place to see elephants is a remote glade, where herds come to drink water in the evening. We had a very small window of opportunity to find and treat him.

We mobilised Sky Vets, our aerial veterinary initiative, to fly the SWT/KWS Tsavo Mobile Vet Unit down to the coast. As dusk approached, the team drove deep into the forest to reach the glade and settled in to wait. Several large herds moved through the clearing to drink, but there was no sign of the injured calf or his family. Still, the team remained vigilant.

Finally, the calf appeared on his own — and knowing this was their one chance, the team moved quickly. They separated him from the forest edge and darted him from the vehicle. As the anaesthetic took effect, the team used the car to gently prevent him from retreating back into the forest, where treatment would be impossible.

Once he was safely immobilised, the work began. The team carefully removed the snare from his swollen foot, cleaned the wound, and administered antibiotics to prevent infection. Despite the pain he must have endured, the team is confident that he will make a full recovery.

The treatment ended with the setting sun, as the team watched the calf reunite with his mother and twin brother — back with his family, in the forest he calls home.

Update — one day later: The calf was already showing signs of improvement and was able to keep up with his family.

Update — two weeks later: The calf was again spotted with his family. His wound is healing well and his mobility is much improved.