Curtain falls on vet who saved wildlife in distress
The Standard
Updated 2 hr(s) 5 min(s) ago
By Philip Mwakio
Though Dr Kashmir Zahoor is no more, his memories will linger among wildlife enthusiasts in Kenya and the rest of the continent.
The words on a home page of a website still under construction sums up what he thought he had achieved in life: "Destiny and Faith – I have faith in Life and think I have more than my share of good life for which I am more than thankful to God. I have had a more than full life. I think I have reached my destiny and it is now time for me to help others. Where I may I still enjoy the fringe benefits I get. Of course, a bonus comes by sometimes".
Those in the know talk candidly about the vet, also nicknamed Zorro. Kashmir, a renowned Kenyan wildlife veterinary expert, met his death last Sunday in Ethiopia where he was on a tricky mission to dart elephants.
It was extremely ironic that he was killed by the very animals he had spent his life protecting and treating.
resuscitated bull
A single tusked bull he had just darted and had successful resuscitated elbowed life out of him. The bull is said to have charged at Kashmir and his team that include 20 other wildlife scouts.
The same bull made an attempt on his life last year when he was in Ethiopia on a similar mission.
Last week, while the rest of his team scampered to safety, Kashmir was unlucky and was caught on the path of the jumbo, which dipped its single tusk in Kashmir’s back.
He was tracking down a group of ancient elephants in Ethiopia near its common border with Eritrea when tragedy struck.
Their earlier mission to put Global Positioning System (GPS) collar gadgets on the jumbos had to be repeated after the gadgets fell off.
A sea of humanity thronged his family home in Tudor estate in Mombasa Island after the body arrived aboard a charted light aircraft.
Hundreds of wildlife conservationists from Mombasa and upcountry, including neighbouring countries, attended the funeral at the Cutchi Sunni Cemetery near Hotel Saphire, Mombasa on Wednesday night. The deceased’s elder brother, Mr Shamshudin Kashmir, described the veterinary doctor’s death as a blow not only to the family but wildlife lovers.
" He had a passion for wildlife and would go out of his way to try and save any animal that appeared to be in distress,’’ Shamshudin said.
About Dr Kashmir
Born in 1950 and grew up in Kajiado
Attended Allidina Visram School and University of Nairobi where he studied veterinary medicine
Worked as veterinary officer in Maralal, Kapenguria and Moyale
Ventured into private practise in Mombasa. Opened animal clinic at Ganjoni
Worked as a security consultant at African Safari Club (ASC) a hotel group with several hotels and lodges within the Coast
Served as Station manager for ASC’s African Safari Air at the Moi International Airport, Mombasa.
Kashmir is credited with having brought fame to Kenya’s quest for nature conservation when he rescued Owen, an orphaned baby hippo, from the ravages of El Nino.
The hippo had been washed to the sea and was dehydrated.
a miracle
" It was a miracle. Kashmir got Owen out without darting it. This was a big struggle as Owen was the size of a big pig and had to be taken onto a pick up truck to Haller Park,’’ Dr Magre Ambreen from the Kenyan Society for the Protection and Care of Animals (KSPCA), and a relative, said.
Owen was later to develop an unusual bond with Mzee, a giant century-old tortoise, and their friendship hit international headlines.
Kashmir also successfully carried out major surgeries on wildlife to save their lives.
Ambreen remembers one occasion when Kashmir bravely darted a mother cheetah and her three cubs
"This is very unusual. He managed to have the cheetah and her family reunite after the treatment,’’ Ambreen said.
Owing to his service to wildlife, the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) made Kashmir an honorary warden. In his message of condolence to the bereaved family, KWS Director Dr Julius Kipng’etich described him as a selfless contributor to wildlife conservation in the country and beyond. Kipngetich said Kashmir work involved supporting KWS wardens and veterinaries and contributed his expertise at the Coast, particularly in the sprawling Shimba Hills , Tsavos and Maasai Mara.
" KWS was impressed with his contribution during the world famous translocation of 228 elephants from Shimba Hills to Tsavo East National Park in 2006. He was one of our most reliable and committed honorary wardens,’’ the director said.
elephant translocation
He stands out as pioneer member of the first team of local wildlife veterinaries who conducted the first ever known elephant translocation in independent day Kenya.
His love for wildlife can best be exemplified in the manner in which he lived at his residence in Mtwapa , Kilifi on the outskirts of Mombasa city. Here, at the farmhouse, Kashmir reared two crested cranes, eight African Grey Parrots, a cow, donkeys, guinea fowls, various fish species in a larger than life aquarium and horses. He was an active member of the Rotary Club and was chairman of the Mombasa Cerebral Palsy Foundation. Each year, he would organise a food festival at his farmhouse that would serve as a funds drive whose proceeds would go towards helping the foundation.
Mr Asaad Kashmir and Nassir Butt, nephews to the deceased, said Dr Kashmir liked to help and was a friend to many.
About Dr Kashmir
Born in 1950 and grew up in Kajiado
Attended Allidina Visram School and University of Nairobi where he studied veterinary medicine
Worked as veterinary officer in Maralal, Kapenguria and Moyale
Ventured into private practise in Mombasa. Opened animal clinic at Ganjoni
Worked as a security consultant at African Safari Club (ASC) a hotel group with several hotels and lodges within the Coast
Served as Station manager for ASC’s African Safari Air at the Moi International Airport, Mombasa.
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