KWS rescues snared zebra at Kendong Ranch in Naivasha

KWS rescues zebra trapped in snare at Kendong Ranch, Naivasha/KWS X

The Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) has rescued an injured zebra at Kendong Ranch in Naivasha, drawing renewed attention to the threat posed by illegal snares to wildlife.

In a statement, KWS said the animal was found with a wire snare tightly wound around its head and both hind legs, leaving it in visible distress and unable to move freely.

The agency’s veterinary and capture team, led by Ian Muchina, carried out the rescue operation, carefully cutting through the wire to free the animal.

“In our line of work, each day brings a quiet confrontation with suffering most people will never witness,” KWS said, describing the condition in which the zebra was found.

The service noted that the snare had caused significant pain, with the wire tightening with each movement the animal made in an attempt to free itself.

“Every movement had become torture. Flesh gave way to friction and fear, and in its eyes was that haunting mix of exhaustion and silent pleading,” the agency said.

According to KWS, the rescue required precision and caution to avoid causing further injury, with the team working gradually to remove the snare and stabilise the zebra.

“As our Vet & Capture team worked carefully to free it inch by inch, each precise cut carried a quiet truth: sometimes the difference between life and loss is simply being seen in time,” the statement added.

The zebra survived the ordeal and is expected to recover under continued monitoring.

KWS used the incident to highlight the wider impact of snares, which are often set illegally and can trap a range of wildlife indiscriminately.

“This zebra was given another chance. Many others are not. Their stories end unseen, in silence, and that is what weighs the heaviest,” the agency said.

Wildlife conservationists have long warned that snares, commonly used for bushmeat hunting, pose a serious risk not only to targeted species but also to non-target animals, including endangered wildlife.

KWS said such incidents underscore the need for increased vigilance and public support in conservation efforts.

“Every species matters. Every life matters. And every snare doesn’t just trap an animal, it traps innocence, turning freedom into suffering in the quietest, cruelest way imaginable,” the agency said.

The service urged members of the public to report suspected poaching activities and support ongoing conservation initiatives aimed at protecting wildlife.

KWS continues to conduct patrols and rescue operations in protected areas and private conservancies, working to reduce cases of illegal trapping and ensure the survival of Kenya’s wildlife.

The agency also called on the public to contribute to conservation programmes, noting that timely intervention remains critical in saving animals caught in such situations.

“Behind every rescue is a team that never clocks out, 24/7, every day!” KWS stated.