A Fight for Survival
Emergency Intervention for an Injured Hippopotamus
In the still waters of a reserve dam, a violent encounter had unfolded.
Field rangers alerted Saving the Survivors to a critically injured female hippopotamus—badly wounded after an aggressive clash with a dominant bull. By the time the call came through, she had already endured days of suffering.
When our team arrived, the severity of her condition was immediately clear. Deep, traumatic wounds stretched across her flanks and hindquarters. Even more concerning were the injuries to her mouth and left front foot—areas vital for feeding and movement. The wounds were approximately five days old and heavily infected. She was in significant pain and, at that stage, unable to eat.
In wildlife, injuries like these are often a death sentence.
Working alongside the local veterinarian, our team moved quickly to stabilise her. Radiographs of her upper and lower jaw were taken in the field to assess the extent of the trauma. In a rare piece of positive news, no fractures were identified—offering a crucial window of opportunity for recovery.
Emergency treatment began immediately. Her wounds were thoroughly cleaned and debrided to remove infection. Pain management was administered to ease her suffering, and supportive therapy was initiated to give her body the strength it needed to begin healing.
This was only the beginning.
Over the coming days, she will be closely monitored as targeted treatments continue—fighting infection, encouraging healing, and giving her the best possible chance of survival. Her progress remains uncertain, but her resilience is undeniable.
Encounters like this are a stark reminder of the raw and often brutal realities of life in the wild. Yet they also highlight the vital role that rapid veterinary intervention can play in turning the tide—transforming what would almost certainly be a fatal outcome into a fighting chance.
At Saving the Survivors, this is what we do.
We step in when survival hangs in the balance.
We treat the survivors.
And where possible, we help create a future where these animals can continue to play their role in the wild.
Saving the Survivors – Creating Hope from Hurt.
All of our work is 100% funded by donations. If you would like to support our ongoing emergency interventions and conservation efforts, please consider making a contribution by clicking the DONATE button on this page.
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