The large bull elephant had been tranquilized so vets could treat a poison-arrow wound inflicted by poachers.
A large bull elephant that was tranquilized recently so veterinarians could treat an arrow wound appears to have slept deeply throughout the procedure.
That is, if its powerful snoring was an indication.
The accompanying footage, shared via X Tuesday by the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust, requires high volume to appreciate the magnitude of snores issued by the pachyderm.
“Reminds me of my husband,” reads one comment beneath the post.
Mesmerising sound of an elephant sleeping!
This big bull was darted earlier this year – by our SWT/KWS Vet Unit – so that a poisoned arrow wound could be treated!
The treatment itself cannot commence until the patient is sedated &, as here, snoring like a very big baby! Using… pic.twitter.com/sYzzEKxIom
— Sheldrick Wildlife Trust (@SheldrickTrust) June 25, 2024
While many might relate to that sentiment, the operation highlighted a serious issue facing bull elephants in Kenya: poaching.
The Sheldrick Wildlife Trust, a group dedicated to conserving wildlife in Kenya, explained the decision to tranquilize the elephant:
“This big bull was darted … so that a poisoned arrow wound could be treated!
“The treatment itself cannot commence until the patient is sedated and, as here, snoring like a very big baby!
“Using his experience, the vet estimates the size and weight of an elephant to determine how much of the anesthetic drug will be needed to knock it out (too much could be fatal).
“Once down, ground teams rush in to commence treatment. The outcome of this case was positive.”
