A female elephant has been rescued from a drying mud pit in Muchuro, Isiolo County, after spending nearly 24 hours trapped and unable to free herself.
The dramatic rescue was carried out by the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS), following an alarm raised by members of the local community who spotted the elephant stranded in the mud.
According to KWS, the elephant was found deep in Muchuro with her body pressed against the hardening earth and her strength fading.
“Deep in Muchuro in Isiolo County, community members spotted a female elephant trapped in a drying mud pit, her body pressed against the hardening earth and her strength fading,” KWS said in a statement.
The residents immediately raised the alarm, prompting a KWS Rapid Response Team to rush to the scene.
The team spent the night beside the stranded elephant, protecting her from further danger and monitoring her condition as arrangements were made for a specialised veterinary rescue.
“The KWS Rapid Response Team rushed to her aid, spending the night by her side, protecting her and monitoring her condition until help could arrive,” the wildlife agency said.
The KWS ECA Mobile Vet Unit, led by Dr Michael Njoroge, was then dispatched to the remote location to undertake the rescue.
The journey proved challenging because of the rugged terrain, but the veterinary team pressed on to reach the elephant and prevent her condition from deteriorating further.
“Upon reaching the site, the team found the elephant exhausted and completely caked in dried mud,” KWS said.
The rescuers first carefully cleared the hardened mud surrounding the animal to create enough space to secure her safely.
Heavy-duty straps were then placed beneath the elephant’s body before the team coordinated a carefully controlled pull using two Mobile Vet Unit vehicles.
After hours of painstaking work, the elephant was finally pulled free from the mud pit.
KWS described the rescue as a demonstration of the commitment of wildlife officers, veterinarians and local communities to protecting Kenya’s wildlife.
“Behind every successful rescue is a team willing to go the extra mile for wildlife,” the agency said.
“They keep showing up, keep fighting, and keep giving wildlife a second chance,” it added.
The rescue also highlighted the important role played by communities living near wildlife habitats, whose quick response and decision to alert authorities helped set the rescue operation in motion.
