An Argentine Veterinarian Went To Cure Elephants In Africa

Nicolás Davio is a young Argentine veterinarian who went to cure elephants in Africa. Born in Baradero, a municipality in the province of Buenos Aires, Argentina, and a gold medal among graduates of the Faculty of Veterinary Sciences at the University of La Plata, at age 37 he left the office where he operated cats and dogs and got on a plane with destination to Kenya.

Lions and Elephants: From Dream to Reality

Davio said that, since he was a child, he dreamed of treating lions on the African continent. In the end, he ended up tending to elephants who had been poached because of the ivory industry.

To achieve this goal, he had to wait about 5 hours a day for 2 weeks in front of the office of the Kenya Wildlife Service Veterinary Area director, who doubted the intentions of a white and blond Argentine.

Finally, the agency gave him an opportunity, and so Davio spent two months in Tsavo National Park, which has 250,000 hectares of land in which 12,000 elephants live.

The experience of caring for elephants

Davio worked as a field and infirmary veterinarian for these giants who, victims of hunters, end up injured or become orphans.

To obtain ivory, these animals are exposed to cruel and violent deaths, usually under orders from the natives of the region who, despite having problems due to lack of money, also get rid of them because the animals tend to destroy their crops.

One of the most dire consequences of these practices is that of younger elephants, who are traumatized and bereft after witnessing the terrible death of their mothers.

It was on them that the Argentine veterinarian focused much of his effort. So, through his dedicated work, he got a recommendation from the Director General of the Wildlife Service which opened the door for him to continue his stint with the Kenya Wildlife Service,  the key entity in the protection of animals in that country.

Elephants, victims of a cruel business

Statistics show that every 15 minutes an elephant in Africa is killed for the ivory of its tusks, which are actually its incisors. And although these animals have been on the continent for more than 60 million years, they are in danger of disappearing by 2025 if this rate of death is not stopped.

Elephants are chased by poachers who are dedicated to supplying a growing market that wants ivory to satisfy the new Asian middle class, despite worldwide restrictions on the use of this material.

It is estimated that the illegal ivory that is accounted for is only a part of the total volume smuggled in the world. Furthermore, the number of confiscated goods has increased a lot in recent years.

Uses of ivory

Ivory is an element very much appreciated by some cultures, such as the Chinese. It is mainly used for the elaboration of:

• bracelets
• jewelry boxes
• tableware

• ornamental figures
• piano keys
• dominoes and chess pieces
• statues
• Brush handles

in defense of elephants

Governments and public and private organizations mobilize year after year with resources and campaigns to try to stop the killing of elephants and trying to raise awareness, above all, Chinese and Vietnamese citizens, so that the demand for ivory pieces ends.

However, despite the tireless work of these institutions and various professionals and volunteers, these memorable 7-ton giants, like other animals, continue to be victims of the whims of humans.

This is how these innocent creatures are murdered for their skin, hide, or fangs, which supposedly contain aphrodisiac properties. They are displayed as trophies by hunters who kill them with impunity, and then say it’s just a sport.

On the other hand, there is the silent work of good people who, like Davio, offer their best to try to palliate and reverse this terrible and sad situation.