Born Free

Category: Lilongwe Wildlife Centre | Date: Nov 27 2008 | By: bornfree

Another rescue for us, this time a small baby impala (antelope). Our vet reckons he is only 3 to 4 weeks old and it looks like his leg has been caught in a poacher’s trap. National Parks of Malawi called us to say they had the poor animal, and one of our carers quickly jumped into a truck, fetched him and brought him back to the Lilongwe Wildlife Centre.

We have named him Mitambo. He has two breaks in his right front leg about 4-6 inches up from his hoof. The upper break is a ‘v’ break through the bone and the lower break (they are about 2 inches apart) is a nasty one as it has broken right through the skin.

Wendy, our vet, had to come up with an idea that would keep the leg splinted but also allow her access to check the open wound…. So a piece of plastic piping was used and cut open so that she could attend to the wound but would also hold the leg in place and keep it clean and stationary.

Mitambo has surprised us all and can actually stand on this ‘cast’! He looks a little uncomfortable when lying down as he cannot bend this leg under him as he would normally do when sitting. He still is not eating solid food yet, only taking in liquids and the next couple of weeks will be vital for him.

Please send your donations so that Wendy can continue to give little Mitambo a fighting chance.

Tags: Antelope, Lilongwe, People and Wildlife, poachers