Gin-Trap Injury: Emergency Surgery for a Lion
⚠️ GRAPHIC CONTENT: Images of injury and veterinary surgery.
A lion caught in a gin trap required emergency treatment and surgery after the trap caused irreversible damage to part of his paw.
MWA’s veterinary team carried out the initial response, safely darting the lion to remove the trap before transporting him to a holding facility for examination and first aid.
The trap had restricted blood supply to the affected limb, causing ischaemia and tissue necrosis. The damage was severe, and the team recommended amputating the affected section to prevent infection from spreading to healthy tissue.
With the necessary surgical equipment unavailable during the first intervention, an MWA veterinary backup team arrived a few days later equipped to carry out the procedure.
The lion was anaesthetised again, allowing the team to clean the wound, remove debris and amputate the necrotic portion of the paw. Despite the challenges of surgery in field conditions, the procedure was completed and a bandage applied to protect the wound during healing.
This lion is one of several big cats that have required amputations following gin-trap injuries in Mozambique. Over the past eight years, Dr João Almeida has performed nearly ten similar surgeries on lions and cheetahs. In each of those cases, the animals recovered and adapted remarkably well.
Nearly a month after surgery, footage recorded in the boma showed the lion walking and looking well, indicating that he was ready for release.
The response was carried out in collaboration with Zambeze Delta Safaris and Zambeze Delta Conservation.
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