Darting a Lioness
It was early morning, the sun wasn’t up yet. We had to get to the other side of the reserve before the sun rose. Again the instructors loved the suspense, but we didn’t mind. It made it way more interesting to not know what our next mission would be.
Finally, we arrived at the arranged area. The vet was there, so we knew we were going to be working hands on with wildlife. Before anything started, we jumped out of the car to stretch our legs. After stretching my legs and releasing some flatulence that I could not release on the car because I was in the middle. We went to the vet so he could give us a briefing. It was always cool listening to the whole plan.
– Hello everyone and good morning – he started – today we are going to give to one of the lionesses a contraceptive pill and also treat her leg that had a cut.
When you have a small reserve, you must monitor the population of all animals inside. If the numbers go over what is the Carrying Capacity of the reserve, then you must move the animals to other reserves. One way to prevent this from happening is through contraceptive methods. Normally used on the Big 5 or other flagship animals. Very difficult on big herds of antelopes.
After the briefing was over, we had a plan. Everyone went to the cars. Again we are 3 volunteer cars, and every volunteer was hoping that the vet would come on their car. This would mean that we would be the first ones on the action. Luckily, he came to my car. So we would be following the vet as close as possible, right on the action.
Around 5 minutes of driving we found the pride sleeping in the open area.
– That was lucky! – the vet said.
The vet prepared the tranquilizer gun and asked Kon to get closer. When we were close enough, the vet pointed the gun at the lioness’ bum and took the shot. The lioness released a little growl while jumping from surprise! All the others also got up and started to look around, confused why she growled. The lioness grabs the dart that was in her right butt cheek and starts to lick it.
– Well – the vet started – that is one way to get the drugs in your system – he said laughing.
The lioness lost the interest of that thing that just bit her butt and walked away. Another female, feeling curious, grabbed the dart and started to chew on it. After a few minutes, the drug kicked-in. The lioness tries to get up, but the legs won’t work. We look to the other lioness, she’s also struggling to get up.
– OH! You dumb lion! – the vet yelled at the lioness – you weren’t supposed to get drugged – he said while slapping his hand to his forehand.
We waited a few minutes until the lioness that we wanted to work with was completely motionless. Now our next step was to chase away the pride so we could work. But we couldn’t chase too far away because we want her to return to her pride when we finish.
Lioness licking the dart
Our car was the first one to charge after the lions. We drove super close to them, making sure that if the female could run, she would. All the cubs got up and ran with one of the 3 females. Another lioness, the sleepy lioness, tries to go away, but in the wrong direction. We start to get worried about her, but when she saw the other cars, each coming from each side from around our car, she finally started to run in the right direction.
We used the other 2 cars as a wall so the pride couldn’t see us working on the lioness. Or if they wanted to return, they wouldn’t surprise us. Sadly, the procedure I can’t remember what happened. We cleaned the wound; we gave her the contraceptive pill or injection; we collected blood and did a full body check. They asked if any of the volunteers would like to give the lioness an injection, I think it was something for the wound. Me that hates needles, of course I said no. After all the medical procedures done, we had 2 minutes to check the lioness. Touching her skin, seeing her sharp claws, looking at her tongue and teeth.
All procedures done and photo time
After the procedure was done, we gave her the “wake up” drug (sorry don’t know the name) and went back to our cars. We waited a long time but she wouldn’t get up. The vet starting to get impatient, slaps the car’s door. She raised her head but went back down.
– Come on! – the vet screamed while slapping on the door again – UP!
Finally, after 30 minutes the lioness got up, shaking a lot, she walked towards the pride. Her legs were everywhere! She took a while to reach the pride. Walking and stoping a lot. Finally she reached the pride and we moved away.
