Habitats need constant protection, on the ground and in the air. Our dependent orphan herd — which currently includes more than 80 dependent elephants — requires round-the-clock care and attention. And it is the nature of our work that there will always be emergencies to respond to: lives to save, fires to fight, missions to strategise and execute.

But even by our standards, last week was one for the books. Join us for seven days of field-level elephant conservation in the Tsavo Conservation Area and beyond.

The week began with a mission to rescue an orphaned infant elephant who our pilot spotted during a morning aerial patrol. This tiny bull was sighted alone, but to confirm his situation, a fixed-wing aircraft flew the area for well over an hour to be sure there were no elephants in the area. Once this was established, the Kenya Wildlife Service called for a rescue. The calf’s sunken cheeks suggested he had been alone for a long time — given the area where he was located, we suspect he is a victim of human-wildlife conflict. The calf was caught and transported by helicopter to our Kaluku Unit where he spent the night.

Later in the day our helicopter pilot spotted an adult bull with a horrendous snare wound. A treatment was mobilised with our SWT/KWS Tsavo Mobile Vet Unit. The elephant’s front right foot was badly damaged by a winch cable snare which, left untended, would have had lethal implications. Despite the gravity of his injuries, the bull was successfully treated and Dr Limo is confident that he will make a full recovery

Meanwhile, a new week began for our 29 SWT/KWS Anti-Poaching Teams and Canine Unit, who conduct daily patrols and operations within their respective landscapes.

Daily Impact: 1 orphaned elephant rescued, 1 elephant treated, 42 snares confiscated, 3 poaching harbours destroyed

Our new rescue from yesterday spent a peaceful night at Kaluku. This morning, we flew him north to our Nairobi Nursery, where he was greeted by the Keepers who will look after him in the coming years. We are taking things one day at a time, as we must with every new rescue, but he is settling in well.

Later in the day, a crisis emerged at Kilifi Creek: two adult elephants trapped in tidal mudflats, 300 meters from solid ground. One elephant appeared worryingly weak; the other maintained good strength. This rescue would require serious logistical planning and certainly one of the more challenging.

Daily Impact: 1 orphan successfully transported to the Nursery, 1 lion cub rescued and transported to Nairobi, 2 trapped elephants located for rescue operation, 5 snares confiscated, 6 perpetrators of illegal activities arrested

The day started with an emergency evacuation: a KWS corporal who had been severely injured by a rhino in Ngulia Sanctuary. He needed urgent medical attention, so the SWT helicopter medevaced him to Nairobi for treatment. These incidents remind us of the inherent dangers our rangers face protecting wildlife.

In Kilifi Creek, the rescue mission was in full swing. The bulldozer arrived as quickly as it could, navigating rough tracks on the back of a low loader. Despite our best efforts, the weaker elephant couldn't be saved. The surviving elephant was so deeply embedded in the mud that heavy duty ropes snapped under his weight. As darkness fell, we had to suspend operations for the night.

Daily Impact: 1 ranger medevaced, 1 elephant rescue mission ongoing, 18 snares confiscated, 4 poaching harbours destroyed, 9 perpetrators of illegal activities arrested

At 3 AM, our Nursery "troublemakers" Shujaa and Weka began their journey to our Ithumba Reintegration Unit. Today marks a pivotal milestone in Weka and Shujaa's lives — but their journey with us is far from over. They will remain in our care for years to come, learning from older elephants and mastering the ways of the wild. Their new chapter in Ithumba is off to a good start — they were happy to reunite with old Nursery friends and surprised everyone by being stars of the mud bath.

In Tsavo West, our pilot located a bull elephant with an arrow wound on his face and the SWT/KWS Amboseli Mobile Vet Unit mobilised a treatment. He turned out to be the same individual we had treated back in April. Sometimes, healing takes multiple interventions.

At Kilifi Creek, the rescue mission continued. We flew stronger webbing straps to the site and the surviving elephant was successfully pulled from the mud, helped to his feet, and shepherded away from the dangerous mudflats and crowds. But elephants are loyal creatures — his urge to stay near his fallen friend led him back into danger, and he became stuck again in the night.

Daily Impact: 2 elephants successfully graduated to Ithumba, 1 elephant temporarily rescued, 2 elephants treated, 1 zebra treated, 1 hyena translocated, 31 snares confiscated, 1 poacher arrested

After last night’s developments, the race to free the bull from Kilifi Creek continued. Dr Limo found our trapped elephant severely dehydrated and administered IV fluids. While he was still very stuck, his new position gave us an opening to pull him 170 meters to complete safety. Success! The elephant was dragged to hard ground just as the tide began filling his former prison. One hour later, he would have drowned.

We mobilised three SWT/KWS Anti-Poaching Teams to secure the area. They left water for the bull to drink, remaining onsite to ensure he didn’t re-enter the danger zone or run into trouble with people.

Daily Impact: 1 elephant successfully rescued a second time, 5 poaching harbours destroyed, 71 snares confiscated, 1 poacher arrested

The day began with a great update from Kilifi Creek: Our survivor was trailed by our teams 36 kilometers away, making two water stops and feeding along his route. This four-day rescue operation involved extraordinary and tireless efforts and resources from SWT teams — truly incredible work.

Today, we responded to another medical evacuation, transporting a KWS ranger injured by buffalo. The SWT helicopter safely delivered him to Voi for treatment.

Later in the day, the Aerial Unit supported the SWT/KWS Tsavo Mobile Vet Unit in the re-treatment of an arrowed elephant. He had first been treated in March, but four months later, the poisoned arrow injury required follow-up care. The wound had formed a granulomatous mass, but he was found to be in good overall condition and is expected to make a complete recovery.

Daily Impact: 1 rescued elephant confirmed safe, 1 ranger medevaced, 1 elephant treated, 1 hyena treated, 1 poacher harbour destroyed, 75 snares confiscated, 2 perpetrators of illegal activities arrested

We concluded the week with a different challenge: battling a wildfire that broke out in the Chyulu Hills. The SWT helicopter dropped 2,100 liters of water onto the burning area while rangers battled the flames on the ground. Thanks to their combined efforts, the fire was successfully extinguished. The Chyulus are critical elephant habitat – and particularly vulnerable to fires as the dry season sets in. The lava fields are challenging, as fires smoulder ominously underground for long periods of time and are able to flare up at any time. A swift aerial and ground response prevented loss of habitat and loss of life.

This wasn't the only fire we've fought in recent weeks — just nine days prior, teams tackled a massive blaze in Tsavo West National Park (pictured above).

Daily Impact: 2 wildfires extinguished, 1 poacher harbour destroyed, 24 snares confiscated

Last week showcased the full spectrum of conservation work, in partnership with the KWS. 52 weeks a year, these daily successes — orphans rescued, animals saved, poachers apprehended, snares confiscated — collectively forge a future for elephants.

Each day, every week, the work continues — thanks to supporters like you.