Staff from the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust and the Kenya Wildlife Service remove a tire wrapped around a giraffe’s body in Haller Park, Mombasa.

They don’t know exactly how long the animal lived with the tire, but the outer edge of the tire rubbed against the skin long enough to cause a wound around its neck.

Rescuers approached the giraffe and released a special arrow containing the appropriate amount of anesthetic for its size.

They then used ropes to gently pull the animal down and prevent it from being injured. Once the giraffe was on the ground, they pulled out the arrow and the team held the animal firmly with their hands.

“That’s because anesthetics cannot be used on giraffes for long periods of time. The drugs will affect the giraffe’s ability to pump blood around its large body,” Brandford explained.

The rescue team began sawing the tire, thoroughly cleaning the wound, applying antiseptic, spraying antibiotics and finally applying green clay (a natural compound that helps wounds heal quickly) to the giraffe.

They also injected it with antibiotics and anti-inflammatory drugs. The giraffe can stand up and walk after escaping the tire. Brandford said it is certain that it can fully recover, so no further monitoring or treatment is needed.