Hi All:

Gerry uploaded the video of Dr. Ndeerah (veterinarian for wildlife in Amboseli and Tsavo National Parks) saving the young 9 year old bull elephant from the snare around his neck and ear found at the Satao Camp waterhole.

As with anything uploaded to youtube, the quality and clarity are greatly reduced. Also, the beginning part of the video is my fault, with the camera being shaky while on the move.

This young bull was very wily. He is the almost black looking one, as he had just come out of the waterhole where he had been swimming. Once he had been darted (red dart visible in left back leg) he inserted himself between a matriarchal herd and a large bull as they ran away. It was difficult to figure out just where he was in the many elephants there. Luckily after the desnaring he recovered very quickly and was up on his feet in no time.

You can see that there are many caring Kenyans willing to help wildlife in distress. We hear only the bad news about the human-wildlife conflict and none of the good. Thus I share this good news with you.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p123slIkUDg

Hope you enjoy watching this.

very well done!
yes, the quality at you tube is always disappointing. but jan, maybe covering the micro would help and also a manfrotto or beanbag in order to keep the lense a bit more staedy.
furthermore you could first zoom and then push "rec". slower movements or switch "off", move and switch "on" again. my first videos were the same. then i got some advise and now they are much better.
anyway - wonderful to witness when he comes back to his feet. and the family was still around so he has met with them after treatment

- Edited by pippa on 29.08.2007, 19:34 -

Hi Pippa:

Thanks for the suggestions. I've tried covering the mike before but it accentuates the sound of the camera itself - the humming is equally annoying as the wind sounds.

Beanbags are great, but they really don't help much when your vehicle is chasing another over rocks, logs, etc.

I'll have to try your last suggestion. Sounds like well worth trying.

Thanks much.

Great Jan - as I have a very slow connection in my office in the country side I was very happy this afternoon to see this image and film finally.
Thank you very much - especially for the comment on the film in the end - regarding with Bushdrums.com
I am very honoured as I am sure anyone is who sees such a documentary film clip.
I wish I was there to witness such an event in the real.
Was it your 1st time as well?

My dad with his camp team had to rescue a baby Rhino once in the Mara which was stuck in the mud but he never captured that on camera. Must have been a great feeling when the work was done.

Thanks Nico. No, it was not the first time of my being on a rescue. I have been there for several rescue attempts at Amboseli.

As you know, the Amboseli elephants are acclimated to people and vehicles so the vet was much closer when darting and there wasn't a chase of any kind. At Tsavo, the minute the elephants saw the vehicle approach them at the waterhole they knew something was up and all started leaving. Thus we were on the move at Tsavo driving over hills, gullys, rocks and logs. In fact a piece of log got stuck up under the vehicle and the noise was horrendous until the log could be removed.

Just got a note from Satao this morning. The impalas are coming back pole, pole after the death of the "King". My favorite bull elephant was spotted this week, the men are repairing the damage to the waterhole that so many elephants have caused and Bobby tells me the eles. are not afraid of the tinga tinga while they are working. However the elephants uncovered the wiring to the spotlight at the waterhole so they are kept busy keeping up with minor damage that has been done. He also spotted the young bull elephant I originally saw in 2003 at the Ndara Plains with the broken back right knee (totally stiff). I had seen this bull again last year at my tent, so despite his permanent injury, he is able to get around where he wants to go.

How I wish I were there now!

Bundu is Bundu - there is no remedy in the world that exists that can take you off the feeling of the African bush. Once you are addicted that is it. Jan, from reading your comments and stories; like me you are a complete drug addict to the African Bush.
Put your mind at rest - there is no cure!