Wildlife Rescue Program

Given the current economic situation in Zimbabwe, poaching is on the increase.  The Wild Horizons Wildlife Trust plays an active roll in the darting and removal of snares from injured or trapped animals, and depending on the situation, the rescue and rehabilitation of those animals.

  

Waterbuck

Kariba Darting
 

In 2009 in the Victoria Falls area Roger Parry darted: 8 elephant, 4 buffalo, 2 impala, 4 warthog, 1 kudu, 1 bush buck, 1 lion and 1 sable.  Eight warthogs and one bushbuck were rescued and then released in the Wild Horizons Orphanage and Sanctuary area, where they now roam free.  

Darting in 2010

So far in 2010, the Wild Horizons Wildlife Trust has worked together with National Parks and VFPAU to dart eleven warthogs, two impala, four buffalo, two elephant and one Painted Dog all of which were snared or injured...click here for more info
The medicine costs of darting:

Elephant

Etorphine

$110

Axaperone

$2

Dopram

$3

Naltrexone

$20

Total

$135

Buffalo

Etorphine

$90

Azaperone

$8

Dexameth.

$8

Antibiotic

$10

Naltrexone

$10

Total

$126

*Note: these are amounts for darting of one animal and exclude the logistical costs of transport, equipment, first aid supplies, personnel, and time.

 
What does it take to dart an animal that is injured?
When we receive a call reference an injured, abandoned or orphaned animal due to human interference we immediately organize our darting team, and National Parks.  We locate the animal and evaluate the state of the injury and health.  Sadly many animals cannot be saved due to the extent of their injuries but we will assist by at least stopping the pain and the misery.  Nonetheless, we our try utmost to save and rehabilitate them.  We believe it is our duty to help these animals as humans have caused the injuries be it from wire snares, hit by a vehicle, chased from crop raiding, or orphaned when mother’s are poached. 
                Depending on the species, darting of most animals is extremely dangerous.  One drop of the etorphine drug used on most animals can kill a human.  Roger Parry risks his life every time he loads up his dart gun.  He has the assistance of one or two people and whilst darting the rest of the team wait.  Once the animal “goes down” from the drugs in the dart the entire team moves in to remove the snare, give anti-biotics, monitor the temperature, breathing, blood pressure, clean out the wound, and take samples. 
                After everything has been completed Roger will reverse the drugs used to put the animal to sleep, whilst the rest of the team backs off to a safe distance.  In minutes the animal is alert and moving and a  ranger is left monitoring the animal for a few hours after the darting.  For  wildlife that has extensive injuries or is too young to be released on its own and needs additional care we work together with National Parks to translocate to the orphanage from where the best care can be given. With the imminent building of a laboratory and clinic, the Trust will be that much better equipped to save injured wildlife.