Watch: Groundbreaking elephant tusk extraction in Cambodia led by UP professors
Over the years, he has travelled the world to lead and assist with specialised procedures involving elephants and other wildlife species.
But this time, an emergency call took him to Cambodia, where a tusk extraction procedure on an elephant had never been done before.
The journey leading up to this huge undertaking began about 18 months ago, when Dr Navaneetha Roopan, head veterinarian of Wildlife Alliance – a conservation and rescue NGO that operates in the Phnom Tamao Wildlife Rescue Centre in Cambodia – visited Kulen Elephant Forest (KEF), where he noticed that a 45-year-old elephant named Chi Chlorb had a fractured tusk.
The KEF is a 400-hectare elephant retirement reserve in Siem Reap province that provides sanctuary for former captive Asian elephants, many of which spent most of their lives in the tourism industry.
According to a post on KEF's Facebook page, the life-saving procedure was necessary to relieve her from ongoing discomfort and prevent serious infection.
Roopan and Steenkamp's paths crossed at a conference last July in China, where Steenkamp had delivered a lecture.
'After the talk, Dr Roopan approached me and asked if I would assist with Chi Chlorb's case,' says Steenkamp, who also owns Vetdent International, a dentistry and maxillofacial service for all animal species, including wildlife. 'Of course, I agreed.'
The intervention was planned for this year, and Steenkamp and Prof Adrian Tordiffe – a veterinary wildlife specialist at animal rescue centre Vantara in India, and a lecturer at UP – travelled to Cambodia to perform the tusk extraction.
Tordiffe has worked with Steenkamp on various missions around the world and typically administers the anaesthesia for procedures. This time was no exception.
'This was also the first time an elephant had ever undergone general anaesthesia in Cambodia,' Steenkamp says, adding that it is significant that the Indian centre supported this project.
'It shows how much knowledge and experience they've developed – and continue to develop – at Vantara, and how they may continue to play a significant role in supporting veterinarians and wildlife conservation across Asia in future.'
From sedation to standing, the surgery took about an hour and a half and was a great success.
Watch: A video of the surgery (not for sensitive viewers):
The extraction procedure also served as a valuable learning and observation experience for veterinarians from Thailand and Singapore who attended the surgery. Since the operation two weeks ago, Chi Chlorb has been recovering well.
The impact of this procedure goes far beyond the well-being of a single elephant. It is a powerful example of how UP's Faculty of Veterinary Science continues to contribute its expertise to global wildlife conservation, fostering knowledge sharing and capacity building across continents.
Breaking news at your fingertips… Follow Caxton Network News on Facebook and join our WhatsApp channel.
Nuus wat saakmaak. Volg Caxton Netwerk-nuus op Facebook en sluit aan by ons WhatsApp-kanaal.
At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
IOL News
05-08-2025
- IOL News
UP researchers triumph at NSTF ‘Science Oscars' with five major awards
Left to right: Prof Herman Hamersma, Prof Pieter Schalk, Prof Namrita Lall, Prof Lise Korsten, Prof Barend Erasmus (on behalf of Dr Els Vermeulen) and Prof Ryan Blumenthal Image: Image: Supplied Researchers from the University of Pretoria (UP) took centre stage at this year's prestigious National Science and Technology Forum-South32 (NSTF-South32) Awards, winning five major honours in a ceremony often described as South Africa's 'Science Oscars'. The University stood head and shoulders above its peers, scooping up just over a quarter of this year's awards. The awards, which celebrate excellence in science, engineering, technology and innovation, are supported by the Department of Science and Innovation and are among the highest accolades in the country's science sector. The Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Blade Nzimande, extended heartfelt congratulations to the recipients, commending their contributions to public science, engineering and technology (SET) and innovation. UP's NSTF-South32 Award winners Professor Lise Korsten was honoured with the Lifetime Achievement Award for her exceptional contributions to food safety and plant health. As Professor of Plant Health and Food Safety and Co-Director of the Department of Science, Technology and Innovation–National Research Foundation Centre of Excellence in Food Security, she has played a key role in turning science into practical action. Her work in plant pathology and microbiology has helped safeguard South Africa's food supply by tackling foodborne diseases and reducing crop losses. The Mammal Research Institute (MRI) Whale Unit was recognised with the Data for Research Award, received by Dr Els Vermeulen, Senior Lecturer and Research Manager at the MRI Whale Unit within the Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences. The award acknowledges the Unit's development of Africa's most comprehensive whale monitoring programmes. Its research, directly informs national and international conservation policy and drives public awareness efforts to protect marine life. Professor Namrita Lall, Research Chair at UP, received the Innovation Award for SMMEs (small, medium and micro enterprises). She was recognised for her ground-breaking work in developing and commercialising pharmaceuticals and cosmeceuticals derived from medicinal plants. Her innovations feature novel modes of action and have led to the creation of successful spin-off companies, while also nurturing entrepreneurship among her students. The Communication Award went to Professor Ryan Blumenthal, a Senior Specialist Forensic Pathologist and Associate Professor in UP's Department of Forensic Medicine. He was celebrated for his role in making forensic science accessible to the public through books, documentaries, public talks and a popular YouTube channel. His work has advanced scientific understanding and fostered international collaboration in the field. The University's Vehicle Dynamics Group (VDG) was also among the winners, jointly receiving the Engineering Research Capacity Development Award. Led by Professor Pieter Schalk Els, the group was recognised for its efforts to improve vehicle comfort, safety and efficiency in challenging environments. Its research, which is conducted in collaboration with industry, focuses on advancing vehicle technology and training future engineers. Professor Els also serves as Deputy General Secretary of the International Society for Terrain Vehicle Systems (Europe-Africa Region) and is Editor of the Journal of Terramechanics.
TimesLIVE
01-08-2025
- TimesLIVE
‘Drowning in fatigue': Why is anaemia robbing young women of their prime years?
An estimated 539-million women aged 15 to 49 around the world are living with anaemia, an often overlooked but deeply debilitating condition that is stripping young women of their energy, mental wellbeing and quality of life. The World Health Organisation (WHO) said anaemia is particularly prevalent among children under five, menstruating adolescent girls and pregnant and postpartum women with the African and south-east Asian regions bearing the highest burden. 'In 2019, 30% (539-million) of non-pregnant women and 37% (32-million) of pregnant women aged 15 to 49 years were affected by anaemia,' the WHO reported. 'In Africa alone, 106-million women and 103-million children suffer from the condition.' Despite its scale and severity, anaemia continues to fly under the radar and is dismissed by many as 'stress' or 'part of being a woman'. Anaemia awareness advocate and head of the Cape Town Infusion Centre sister Karin Davidson said too many young women are left feeling like they're 'drowning' physically and emotionally. 'We're seeing women in their 20s, 30s and 40s who feel like they're constantly running on empty. The overwhelming fatigue, anxiety and depression is being normalised when it's often a sign of iron deficiency and/or anaemia, which are completely preventable and treatable,' said Davidson. Davidson warned low iron levels aren't only about feeling tired and can profoundly affect mental health. 'There is a fundamental link between iron deficiency and mood disorders. Iron is a crucial component in the production of serotonin, your brain's 'happy chemical'. When iron levels drop, so does serotonin, which can severely impact sleep, mood and your overall sense of wellbeing,' she said. The WHO said common anaemia symptoms include fatigue, shortness of breath, dizziness, cold extremities, headaches and light-headedness that are often brushed off as stress or burnout. Davidson said severe cases can escalate to pale skin and mucous membranes, rapid heart rate and easy bruising, and one of the most under-acknowledged contributors to anaemia in women is heavy menstrual bleeding. 'Population-based studies indicate up to 50% of women of reproductive age experience heavy menstrual bleeding. The blood loss is a major contributor to iron deficiency, specially since girls are menstruating earlier than previous generations,' she said. The WHO said consistent heavy blood loss from menstruation, pregnancy and postpartum complications such as haemorrhage are among the leading causes of anaemia globally. Davidson said many women aren't aware their periods are too heavy or that their low energy, depression and brain fog could be linked to it. The WHO reported iron deficiency, often caused by poor diet or poor absorption of nutrients, remains the most common cause of anaemia worldwide. 'Deficiencies in vitamin A, folate, B12 and riboflavin also contribute, as do infections, inflammation, chronic diseases and inherited blood disorders such as sickle cell and thalassemia. Infections such as malaria, tuberculosis, and HIV also impair nutrient absorption or cause nutrient loss,— further exacerbating anaemia in vulnerable populations.' is said. Davidson said modern dietary trends aren't helping 'More young women are devising their own diets, often omitting key nutrients in the process. They may not realise they're putting themselves at risk,' she said. She's also concerned about how easily women's health concerns are dismissed. 'We see so many women being told it's stress or anxiety but your symptoms matter. You deserve to feel energetic and well. A simple blood test can confirm iron deficiency,' she said. The WHO said anaemia is not a disease but a symptom of an underlying condition which is why it often goes undiagnosed and untreated. Davidson urged women to stop ignoring the signs and start advocating for themselves: 'Think iron. Check iron. Take iron. Your future self will thank you for taking action. If your doctor brushes off your concerns, seek a second opinion. You deserve better.'
The Citizen
26-07-2025
- The Citizen
Pretoria rallies for beloved Rietvlei cheetah as Njozi undergoes surgery
Rietvlei cheetah, Njozi, is in the specialised care of the wildlife clinic at the Faculty of Veterinary Science in Onderstepoort after showing signs of lameness in her right forelimb. Pretoria Rekord reports that the beloved and well-known five-year-old female cheetah is a resident of Rietvlei Nature Reserve. Residents raise funds for cheetah operation Pretoria residents' hearts opened wholeheartedly when, in a few days, the Friends of Rietvlei's appeal for R50 000 for her operation, hospitalisation and rehabilitation was answered. She was found and captured with the assistance of Jeanri Weideman, a game ranger from Rietvlei. Njozi wears a very high-frequency collar. Radiographs reveal previous injuries not healed correctly After she was found, she was darted and radiographed in the field by veterinary wildlife specialist, Prof Katja Koeppel. Chris van Blerk, faculty spokesperson, says radiographs revealed that she had previously fractured two bones in her right forelimb (the radius and ulna), which had healed in the wrong position (a malunion) and fused (sinostosis). 'This deformity limited the movement of her paw and likely caused abnormal stress on the limb. Sadly, this led to a new fracture just above the old injury site,' says Van Blerk. Cheetahs limbs carefully realigned during operation She went into the operating theatre on Tuesday. Small animal specialist surgeon Dr Adriaan Kitshoff and a team from the faculty's Onderstepoort Veterinary Academic Hospital performed the surgery. 'In theatre, we corrected both the previous malunion and the recent fracture by removing a wedge of bone and carefully realigning the limb,' says Kitshoff. The bones were then stabilised with two metal plates, and a small bone graft from her shoulder was used to help speed up healing. According to Koeppel, her bandage was changed on Wednesday. She will be managed and monitored by the team of wildlife veterinarians and students at the Faculty of Veterinary Science's wildlife clinic. Peter Ruddle, chairperson of the Friends of Rietvlei, a NPO supporting the reserve, says the 'public has been fantastic with their response'. He's glad that all went well with the operation and thanked the team at Onderstepoort. Breaking news at your fingertips… Follow Caxton Network News on Facebook and join our WhatsApp channel. Nuus wat saakmaak. Volg Caxton Netwerk-nuus op Facebook en sluit aan by ons WhatsApp-kanaal. Read original story on
