Category: Articles

Dr Zoe Glyphis and Dr Andy Fraser were recently called to an adult female cheetah. With 4 cubs, this female had injured her front left leg and was significantly lame. First of all, radiographs were taken and the leg was manipulated and palpated. Only significant finding was swelling of the soft tissues over the carpal joint.

Saving the Survivors veterinary team recently attended to Mr F, the adult elephant bull that is suffering from a long bone fracture in his forearm. While still very sore, we are glad to report that his lameness has definitely improved and that he is responding to treatment. It is still a long road ahead, but

Saving the Survivors Veterinary unit with Dr Johan went out to do a follow-up treatment on Harvey, the young White rhino bull that was poached about a month ago. We are glad to report that his wound already looks much better after the initial treatment 3 weeks ago. Thanks to all, for your support to enable

Niassa National Reserve (NNR) is Mozambique’s largest protected area. It covers 42’300 km2, and contains Mozambique’s largest populations of elephants, lions, and wild dogs. Niassa’s elephants continue to be threatened by poaching for the illegal ivory trade. Recent estimates suggest that as few as 1’500 elephants remain. This project, implemented by WCS, aims at ramping up

Unfortunately, it is with heavy heart that we bring sad news of another innocent rhinos life lost to cruel poachers.     A magnificent adult White rhino bull shot through the front right leg by poachers two months ago. Initially, he was weight-bearing on the limb and he was treated a few times. His condition

Saving the Survivors received a call to investigate the cause of death of an adult elephant cow in Mozambique. The carcass had no evident signs of prolonged health problems or injuries. However, on close inspection, we could note small amounts of bloody fluid coming out of the trunk. The vet unit collected multiple blood smears (blood

While working in Niassa reserve on the translocation of 100 animals last week, our mobile vet unit was contacted. This was to assist with a young female Pangolin that was caught in a wire snare. The animal was brought to the Niassa HQ. This was where the wildlife conservation society and ANAC staff kept it

Unfortunately another tragic case of a rhino with horrific facial injuries after a brutal poaching. Saving the Survivors faced a race against time to save Harvey, a young White rhino bull who was poached only a few days ago and had his front horn hacked off.     Dr Johan from the STS team attended to

It is with great regret that we have to announce that Spartacus has passed away. A very sad day. Another rhino lost to the horrors of humankind, greed and poaching. This has certainly hit the STS team hard! We put in a huge amount of work and effort to save this Rhino, we gave him

This adult buffalo cow broke her left horn off quite a while ago. Unfortunately, the inside area where it broke off got infected and it never managed to heal. Therefore, causing chronic irritation to the cow.     The Saving the Survivors team was called out to assist an attending veterinarian. They were to try and clear

Saving the Survivors and a team from the ecology department of the University join the STS field veterinarian, to conduct the operation. 2 buffalo bulls were immobilized to collect biological samples. Additionally, measurements for a wildlife/domestic interface disease study. This is in partnership with the Eduardo Mondlane University (UEM). We darted the animals from a vehicle.

Thembi first came to the attention of Saving the Survivors in late 2017. She had been poached in 2010 and had been left untreated with horrendous injuries. This is our 4th visit to treat her. Thembi who had her beautiful young calf in tow. They both were darted to prevent mother and calf being separated. We cleaned

Another tragic case of a White rhino heifer, named Lethabo (approx 6 years old). We found her with a bullet wound below her right elbow. We took radiographs to diagnose the fracture. After we cleaned and flushed the wound, we administered long-acting anti-inflammatories. We also administered antibiotics, as she has a draining tract from the

As part of our expansion in Mozambique, we are taking a look at some of the cases recently attended by our vet in the region, Dr Joao Amleida. 4 Y/O Male Giraffe with Leg Snare We were called in by the Maputo special reserve head ranger to assist with a 4-year-old male giraffe. This graffe

Mozambique is one of the world’s richest lands. It’s boasting exceptional biodiversity, with over 15 different land habitats. This includes endangered coastal forest. The relentless efforts of poachers are endangering many of the countries wildlife. Over the course of the past 40 years, 70% of the wildlife in Mozambique has been lost. In 7 years,

Karingani game reserve requested our assistance to help capture a male lion. This Lion escaped into community land and seemed to have a snare wound around the right front leg. Thanks to Karingani´s rangers and managers the animal was located. We then darted, and translocated the animal all the way back to the reserve. Samples and measurements

Spartacus, the Black rhino bull was recently immobilised by the referring veterinarian. He cleaned his wounds and administered more painkillers. Treating these large, iconic animals is always a challenge and sometimes really difficult. Every time we immobilise him, he is at a disadvantage. Due to the fracture of his humerus, he struggles quite a lot

WARNING GRAPHIC IMAGES Another distressing case of a magnificent animal. This elephant is was found with a double leg snare. It was buried deep down to the bone causing massive swelling and infection. Prognosis was not good when we found, Titan. After darting, the wound was cleaned and treated and Titan walked away and the

WARNING GRAPHIC IMAGES After the recent announcement of Saving The Survivors expansion into Mozambique, we would like to continue by featuring some of the recent cases. They are attended by out vet, Dr Joao Almeida. A few weeks ago, we were called by the Maputo Special Reserve managers from ANAC and PPF. We were asked to treat an elephant

Dr Johan and Dr Zoë recently visited Jabu the elephant in Botswana to take some radiographs of his leg, as we think he has mild osteoarthritis in his knee joint. Not an easy thing to do, as Jabu is a magnificent 3,5 metres tall at the shoulder. His legs are therefore exceedingly large, and to