The David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust’s (DSWT) has been a pioneer in wildlife conservation dating back all the way to 1977. Just recently we shared the sweet story of one of DSWT’s rescued baby elephants, Malkia, and how she loves to greet all of the new arrivals to the sanctuary (you have to see the photos!). DSWT has been saving the lives of countless animals and their most recent rescue was a giraffe who was sadly struck by an arrow.
This beautiful giraffe was hit was a suspected poisoned arrow and was left in agony if he attempted to move. The DSWT/Kenya Wildlife Services Mara Mobile Vet Unit quickly set out to help him. After darting him to sedate him, the rescue team set out to clean the infected wound at the base of the neck.
Thanks to the rescue teams swift action applying antiseptic spray, the anaesthetic from the poisoned arrow were quickly reversed!
The giraffe was back on his feet in no time, re-joining his friends who had waited while the operation took place. DSWT is truly a conversation superhero!
DSWT expects the giraffe to make a full recovery with no further intervention needed. This is wonderful news, but the truth of the matter is giraffe populations are dwindling.
Giraffes are currently listed as “vulnerable,” meaning they are only one step away from becoming an endangered species and are facing extinction. Like countless other wild species, their habitat is being destroyed by fragmentation as a result of agriculture, construction, and poaching. In fact, the actions of humans are causing species to go into extinction at a rate 1,000 times faster than normal.
But thankfully, with the help of DSWT and other conservation organizations, there is hope for giraffes. While, overall, giraffe numbers have plummeted, a few populations in Southern Africa are actually on the rise. The reason? Several countries in Southern Africa Africa have big game parks where tourists can pay to see wildlife on safari. That, combined with large swathes of land dedicated to conservation, has allowed giraffes to thrive there, whereas, in other portions of the continent, populations have decreased by up to 97 percent.
You can help DSWT’s in their fight to continue saving animals by making a donation or symbolically fostering an animal. To learn more about what you can do to save the giraffe, check out the Giraffe Conservation Foundation’s website.
Take action for giraffes!
Image source: David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust/Facebook