A Mother’s Resilience: An Elephant’s Struggle and Hope

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In the rugged terrain of Olare Motorogi Conservancy, a distressing scene unfolded as a mother elephant and her three-year-old calf struggled against adversity.

The morning sun illuminated the rocky valley near Richard’s camp, where the mother elephant’s agony was painfully evident.

Observation: The mother elephant exhibited great distress, evident in her difficult gait, spread hind limbs, and occasional straining accompanied by dripping urine.

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Swelling and restlessness further underscored her discomfort, prompting urgent intervention.

Immobilization, Examination, and Treatment: Given the challenging terrain, a helicopter was employed to transport the distressed elephant to safer ground for immobilization and treatment.

With precision and care, 15mg of etorphine hydrochloride was administered via a 3ml dart, inducing complete immobilization after a tense ten minutes.

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Examination revealed lacerations within the internal surface of her vulva, likely caused by sharp objects encountered during her arduous journey.

Severe inflammation and partial occlusion of the urethral opening complicated the situation, hindering normal micturition.

Treatment protocols were swiftly initiated, encompassing wound cleansing with water, disinfection using iodine tincture, and liberal application of Clotrimazole ointment.

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Parenteral administration of 22500mg amoxicillin antibiotic and 100mg dexamethasone sodium anti-inflammatory aimed to alleviate inflammation and promote healing.

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Gentle massage of the urethral opening facilitated the release of accumulated urine, offering temporary relief.

Reversal: The administration of 48mg of diprenorphine hydrochloride through a superficial ear vein reveals the effect of the immobilization cts, allowing the mother elephant to rise with assistance and reunite with her calf.

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Prognosis: Despite diligent efforts, the prognosis remained guarded. Tragically, 24 hours later, the mother elephant succumbed to suspected uremia, a consequence of prolonged urine retention.

Her passing cast a shadow of sorrow, leaving behind a void in the hearts of all who witnessed her struggle.

The calf, resilient in the face of adversity, found solace in the embrace of another herd, his progress closely monitored as he navigated the uncertain terrain of life without his beloved mother.

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In the vast expanse of the wilderness, their story serves as a poignant reminder of the fragility of life and the enduring bond between mother and child.

Read more Elephant News.


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