I actually wrote this about a week ago, but I am just able to get proper internet to upload it.
I am so glad to finally be in the Mara, sitting in front of my beautiful Safari tent, taking a mid day break, just relaxing and listening to the beautiful sounds of Africa. This is an experience everyone should have, at least once in life. I have been fortunate to experience this many times in the past 6 years and it is still just as fantastic as the first.
It has been hard to post from the field, but hope to have more ready soon, so when I get back into Nairobi, I can just upload them.
After about 2 weeks, I was finally able to get out of Nairobi. The team headed to East Tsavo to meet with the senior warden. From there we headed to Salt Lick, a private reserve, for some fieldwork, mainly desnaring. When we arrived, we were notified of a buffalo with a snare around its leg and waited for the vet to arrive. However, when the vet arrived from the David Sheldrick Wildlife trust (the organization that runs the elephant orphanage) we discovered it was actually an Elephant with a wounded leg.
I was put into the vehicle with the rangers and raced out for a briefing, before they proceeded with darting the elephant. It was one of the most thrilling experiences; one of the many I have had through the lens of my camera. Even with the debriefing, it was a challenge to photograph. It was the perfect time of day, the beautiful golden light was lurking, but the elephant went down in the wrong direction, and I thought it best not to ask if we had time to shift him.
I have included a few graphic images, but thought it was important to the story and the dedication of the team in helping this amazing free roaming animal.
Darting an Elephant
The dart is on the left side.
Getting ready to pull the elephant to it’s side
Falling to it’s side
Keeping him cool
Cleaning the wound
Spraying antiseptic
Preparing to revive him
Vetenarian
Since my arrival in Africa I have witnessed the great work David Sheldrick Wildlife trust organization. The work they do is amazing and I can stand behind telling you that the funds they receive are used for the purpose in which they are donated. To learn more, visit their website, www.seldrickwildlifetrust.org
Great to see the full series together like this Piper. It also reinforces the need for as many as possible to sign up and support the Seldrick Trust so they can continue this vital work.
Nice job, Piper. What an adrenaline rush this must have been! Thanks for sharing the experience 🙂
Mambo Piper! I saw your post via Sheldricks fb page. I have been lucky enough to visit the orphanage on a couple of occasions. 2004/2006 and since then have “fostered” baby eles (have 5 now) to get their monthly updates and support the amazing work Dr Dame Daphne and her staff do at the orphanage and in the field. A great way to keep in touch with Africa. Without Sheldrick’s none of these babies would be alive today. IMAX was recently filming at the orphanage and at the stockades in Tsavo NP where the ex-orphans eventually find wild herd/families to intergrate into (at their own timing and will). The IMAX film is supposed to come out next year. The more people that know about Sheldrick’s the more will learn about this wonderful organization and hopefully “foster” a baby ele or rhino. It costs only $50 to foster for a year and you get monthly updates on your foster. Thanks for being another voice for Sheldricks! Say Jambo to my babies at the orphanage: Tano, Kibo, Turkwel, Kandecha, and Sinya at Tsavo NP. They also make great gifts for someone who loves wildlife. http://www.sheldrickwildlifetrust.org
BTW: I went to school with Erlinda 🙂
Hi Mickey,
I just love watching your pictures, its nice and great to learn more about my country through your great work.
I wish you all the best.