We started out in samburu at buffalo springs about the croc. So the deal is that the ranch has a lovely spring that runs through a part of it. The spring is also used in a natural style pool. It's a major attraction of the park. The spring feeds the pool underground. Mr crocodile decided to move into spring and could make it to the pool if he so desired. So we went to see said croc and see about moving him somewhere else where no harm could come to people. And also talked to ranch about using wire to block the entrance of spring into pool.
Well first thing, samburu is hot. It lacks the elevation of lakipia. It's more what one typically thinks about with Africa....hot and dry. So we searched for the croc. Poles were brought out to see if he was hiding in the grasses. I have come to the conclusion that wild animals have absolutely no respect for vets and their time schedules.
So we left, with thoughts of returning after lunch. We went to a resort for lunch. It was literally an oasis in the driest desert I have seen. The owner came round and are with us and then showed us the rooms. Actually reasonably priced too for the views! Sarova Shaba I think is what it was called. I took a picture of its name as I knew i wouldn't remember.
We then drove from samburu to ol pejeta. Somehow I napped in the back of the car. We arrived at ol pejeta and they had our lion!!!!!!
We proceeded to them. We did a quick lap and saw her position along with her mating male. We then retreated to set up. Syringes and needles for antibiotics, slides for smears, scalpel blades, bottle of antibiotic, and pen were all shoved in my pockets. I had my tub of iodine at hand. We then drove slowly to dart her. The grumbles of the two of them sent shivers down my back. The male was not going to leave her. The first dart was fractionally off and got the male that was curled up with her. He jolted but just made his was to the bush close by. We then circled and darted the female, who had not run off. This was surprising. But I guess because they were mating, she felt bonded. We then waited for them to go down. 
Everything then happened very quickly. I was monitoring anesthesia on the male. I moved his lips from obstructing his airway and also used a stick to shove his tongue through to the other side of his mouth and pulled it out of the way. Hehe it felt like a gigantic house cat tongue. We then took an ear sample from him for DNA. He was stable so I left him with a guard monitoring breathing and jumped to the female. She had an abscess on her back. And a few other incidental wounds. I grabbed my blade and shaved as much as I could of the area and lanced the abscess. I'll save you the gory details. But then I flushed the pocket if the wound with iodone after iodine after iodine. I jabbed her with antibiotics. The abscess was prob caused from the male biting her during mating. 
We then waited an hour from when we darted so that one of the drugs had completely worn off. Then we administered the antidote to the other drug and I was the only one on the ground monitoring respiration do from a distance. A foot moved and I ran to the car gracefully hopped in. The male woke up perfectly and ran to another close bush. The female woke slowly. The drugs affected her more as she was older. She took an hour to get up and go.
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| Applying pressure to venipuncture site |
What an amazing experience. When I was working with the lions they literally just became my patients. I didn't forget that they were wild, but i focused. It was incredible.
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| emptying abscess |
We stayed in ol pejeta last night as we have to collar a lion this morning.
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| flushing with iodine |
Scarfing down breakfast and then out to the next lion. Lots of love.
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