Last week, a snared buffalo was reported by Manda scouts. We mobilised a Sky Vets treatment, flying Dr Lawi of the SWT/KWS Southern Mobile Vet Unit up to Kenya's northern coast. Knowing that the herd emerged in the evenings, the team waited until dusk.

Sure enough, the buffalos appeared with the setting sun. It was a herd of ten — and the snared female seemed to be the leader. This complicated matters, as the others followed and deferred to her every move.

But the real challenge came after the dart landed. She sprinted headfirst into the bush, evaporating into a wall of vegetation. Her herd dutifully followed — as did our team, knowing a buffalo could burst from the bush at any moment.

Fortunately, our perseverance paid off. The team found the now-anaesthetised buffalo and warded off the rest of the herd. The rope snare was removed — and, miraculously, she hadn't yet suffered any lasting damage. Dr Lawi reversed the anaesthetic and she stood up to rejoin her herd.

She has been seen in the days since and is already recovering well.