Last week, our rangers spotted a snared zebra on the northern coast of Kenya. We mobilised Sky Vets, our aerial veterinary initiative, and flew our SWT/KWS Southern Mobile Vet Unit to the scene.

The zebra’s herd was unusually protective. We had to push them a short distance away to safely proceed with treatment, but her young foal and older daughter (we presume) were very reluctant to leave her side.

Fortunately, the treatment was a success. The cable snare was removed from her leg, the wound cleaned, and the patient was promptly revived.

But that’s when something incredible happened. The moment the zebra started stirring, her foals — who were a full kilometre away — took off. They started galloping towards her, and they didn’t stop until they reached her side.