Saving 'Big Tusker': Poisoned Elephant Rescue Medics in Kenya

The gentle giant, named Wide Satao, is a 'big tusker' - a term used to describe elephants with tusks aged over 40 years, which are targeted for their valuable ivory - with each tusk estimated to be worth over $130,000.

The dramatic pictures were taken by British husband and wife photography team Victoria Peckett, 45, and Philip Ladmore, 50, in Tsavo East National Park in Kenya.

The ailing animal was treated by conservation group the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust and the Kenya Wildlife Service.

Wide Satao was sedated with a dart and had his wound cleaned, before being given a large dose of antibiotics.

If left untreated the poison would have killed the giant bull elephant within 48 hours.

Philip, a company director from Middlesex, England, said: "As we came close to Wide Satao, it became apparent that he had been shot with a poacher's poisoned arrow in his side.

“We had to wait until next morning and use a plane to relocate him and then call the vet in.

“We were close enough to watch the operation to remove the dart, clean up the wound and give him the wake up drug.

“We saw him struggle to get to his feet but then move off back to his group of male elephants.”

Around 100,000 elephants were killed for their ivory across the African continent between 2011 and 2014, according to a 2014 study by Colorado State University.

The illegal poaching trade is fuelled by demand in Asia, in particular China – where one kilo of ivory can fetch up to $3,000.

Philip revealed that ivory belonging to big tuskers such as Wide Satao is highly prized because of its incredible weight.

He said: “Big tuskers are mainly old male elephants with tusks which weigh 100lbs or more each.

“And their numbers are dwindling due to high value of their ivory.”