Detusking

Elephant have voracious appetites and can consume up to 40 tonnes of food per day.  In some instances, this actually proves helpful.  A herd of elephant foraging in an area of dense vegetation will, over time, open up the habitat, making it conducive to browsers and grazers such as antelope, gazelle and giraffe.

However, sometimes these same elephant can cause severe habitat destruction.  One of elephant’s favorite “snacks” is seedlings, and, in heavily trafficked areas, it is difficult for trees to regenerate.  So, on Lewa, we create what are known as elephant exclusion zones.  These are large areas that are fenced off with electric wire to prohibit elephant and giraffe from entering, thereby allowing young trees to mature.

"Keyhole," named for the cut in
his ear, in 2008

However, sometimes the smell of yellow fever trees is just too tempting, and some elephant – bulls in particular – have become quite adept at breaking into exclusion zones to assuage their craving.

"Keyhole" after detusking in 2012

There are many techniques for fence bashing.  In a previous blog, I spoke of Bougainvillea who has perfected the unusual technique of crawling under the wire.  One of the more popular methods is to lean into the wooden support posts (which do not conduct electricity) and push the fence over.  Another less often seen technique is for an older bull to push a young bull through the fence.  But, the most common ploy is to use the tips of the tusks, which do not contain any nerves, to snap the wires.

It is accepted that once in a while a rogue bull will break into an exclusion zone, but the situation on Lewa had become untenable with break ins occurring almost nightly – the same culprits night after night.  Finally, it was decided that steps had to be taken to protect Lewa’s trees. 

The Kenya Wildlife Services vet determines
where to make the cut to ensure that the
nerve is not exposed

One of the most effective ways to stop a bull from breaking into an exclusion zone is to cut the ends of its tusks.   Tusks are nothing more than teeth with a very large nerve running part way down the center.  So, trimming the tusk makes the ends far more sensitive to the electric current running through the fence wires. 

A chain saw is used to detusk the bull

The operation is always performed with a Kenya Wildlife Services (KWS) vet who immobilizes the elephant and ensures that the actual nerve is never exposed.  Once the exact location of the cut is determined, a chain saw is used to detusk the bull.  It is important to note that the portion of the tusk that has been removed is always turned over to KWS so that it never becomes part of the illegal ivory trade.   When the operation is complete, the vet administers the antidote, and the elephant is on its feet in a matter of minutes.

Once the antidote is administered, a detusked
Flynn is on his feet in minutes

Although no technique is guaranteed to work when dealing with an animal as intelligent as an elephant, detusking is the most effective method we have been able to come up with thus far.