Lioness Surgery

Siena is a lioness at the Masai Mara National Reserve, which straddles the border of Kenya and Tanzania. She was gored by a buffalo, a wound that looks horrible but did not affect any of her major organs. Siena is raising three cubs, who would die if Siena succumbed to infection. Rangers called for a vet to be flown in.

The veterinarian Dr Njoroge from the Kenya Wildlife service’s landed at Musiara airstrip at lunchtime and Governors guides drove the medical team directly to where Siena was resting. Treatment started in the afternoon when she was darted. Moments later a sub-adult lioness promptly sauntered up to Siena who was still standing while the drug was taking effect and pulled the dart out of her with her teeth.
Siena was treated and stitched effectively which took approximately 1½ hours.

The operation is documented in photographs at Africa Geographic, but be aware that they are gory. The first one, showing Siena standing stoically with the fresh wound may be disturbing. The picture here is Siena after surgery.