A five-day-old white rhinoceroses’ calf has been given a new lease of live after a team of Kenyan wildlife veterinarians successfully performed what is believed to be the first recorded corrective surgery for atresia ani in a white rhinoceros.
The calf, a hermaphrodite named Bahati, was diagnosed with atresia ani, a rare congenital condition in which an animal is born without an anal opening, preventing the normal passage of feces. Without immediate surgical intervention, the condition is invariably fatal.
The diagnosis was made at Ol Pejeta Conservancy, prompting the rapid mobilization of a five-member veterinary team drawn from the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS), Mount Kenya Wildlife Conservancy (MKWC), Ol Pejeta Conservancy (OPC), and Northern Kenya Veterinary Services (NKVS).
A statement to newsrooms indicates that the team comprised Dr. Mukami Ruoro Oundo and Dr. Mathew Mutinda Ndunda of KWS, Dr. Robert Aruho of MKWC, Dr. Joseph Mbuthia of OPC, and Dr. Benjamin Oundo of NKVS.
The complex two-hour operation was carried out at Mount Kenya Wildlife Conservancy under full immobilization and epidural anesthesia. Using advanced veterinary techniques, the surgeons created a functional anal opening, restoring Bahati’s ability to pass feces naturally.
The procedure was successful. After recovering from anesthesia, Bahati passed stool for the first time, a critical milestone that signaled the success of the operation and significantly improved the calf’s chances of survival.
Veterinarians involved in the procedure believe it is the first documented successful corrective surgery for atresia ani in a white rhinoceros, marking a significant milestone in wildlife veterinary medicine.
The achievement also highlights the importance of collaboration among Kenya’s conservation institutions. Wildlife veterinarians, rangers, researchers, and conservationists routinely work together to protect endangered species, often carrying out complex interventions that are rarely seen by the public.
Kenya is home to some of the world’s most iconic and threatened wildlife, and veterinary care plays a vital role in ensuring the survival of vulnerable populations. Bahati’s successful surgery underscores how coordinated conservation efforts, scientific expertise, and rapid emergency response can make the difference between life and death for endangered animals.
As Bahati continues to recover, conservationists hope the young rhino will one day contribute to the long-term survival of the species, serving as a symbol of both medical innovation and Kenya’s enduring commitment to wildlife conservation.
By Joseph Ng’ang’a
