PSCTP founder and Team TZ leader Dr. Kimberly Shriner shares this amazing story:
In an extraordinary and coincidental event highlighting the importance of the One Health concept, Team Tanzania 2024 assisted with finding medical treatment for a young male lion at the Ndutu-Serengeti border.
We found him under a scraggly acacia tree, covered in flies, limping, and showing signs of distress. A dead snake was also in the clearing where he was found, leading us to wonder if he was suffering from wounds inflicted by lions or hyenas or if he had been bitten by one of Africa’s many poisonous snakes. It was evident that he needed help.
As part of our comprehensive One Health project in Tanzania, we had recently been in contact with Dr. Dickson Wambura, head veterinarian of Ngorongoro Conservation Area, and Dr. Idrissa Chuma, head vet for Serengeti. We first contacted Dr. Wambura, who later called us and said he thought the lion had moved into Dr. Chuma’s territory on the Serengeti, and alerted Dr. Chuma.
Before we left Tanzania, we were unsure if the vets had found the disabled lion. Thanks to the persistence of the veterinary teams and the help of our Tanzanian director, Dr. Ezekiel Moirana, we received good news on Monday! Dr. Wambura and his team were able to locate the lion. After being tranquilized, evaluated, and given medical attention for his wounds, he was deemed healthy enough to be released into the wild.
We are hopeful that he will do well. Although the wild can be harsh and dangerous, the quick actions and care of these professionals have given the lion a fighting chance. Dr. Wambura will continue to monitor the lion’s progress and check on his wounds in a few days. In honor PSCTP’s Tanzanian director, Dr. Moirana, who kept us informed throughout the entire process, we have decided to name the lion “Zeke.”
Safari salama, Zeke. – Dr. Kimberly Shriner