SWT/KWS MOBILE VETERINARY UNITS TSAVO, MARA, MERU, AMBO MT KENYA, RIFT VALLEY October – December 2021 Report
Introduction
162 Cases
57 Poaching Cases
68 Elephant Cases
17 Predator Cases
20 HWC Cases
56% Success
October – December 2021 Report for Tsavo, Mara, Meru, Amboseli, Mt Kenya and Rift Valley Units The Sheldrick Wildlife Trust (SWT), in conjunction with the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) operate six Mobile Veterinary Units in the Tsavo, Mara, Amboseli, Mount Kenya, Meru and Rift Valley Regions. Within the quarter, all six of the SWT/KWS Vet Units attended to a total of 162 wildlife cases. During 2021, all the Units attended to a total of 639 cases involving 1,170 animals. Of the 162 cases, 57 cases were related to poaching and 20 to human-wildlife conflict (HWC). The HWC cases involved a variety of species including 3 elephants, 5 predators, various herbivores and birds as well as a pangolin rescued from a controlled burning area. 60% of the HWC cases were successfully attended to. 24 of the poaching cases involved elephants with arrows, bullet wounds, snares, spears or poaching postmortems. There were also 16 snared zebras, the majority of which were in the Rift Valley Area, and the other 7 were in Amboseli, Tsavo and Laikipia. Other snare victims included giraffe, oryx, buffalo, impala and a leopard. Of the snaring cases 82% were given a good prognosis whilst 13% were considered guarded. Of all the poaching cases 72% were given a good prognosis, 18% were guarded and 7% died from their injuries. In total there were 68 elephant cases involving 72 elephants. The Units assisted with 24 rescues of elephants, 18 were taken to an orphanage, 2 were reunited with their mother and sadly 4 didn’t make it. There were also 9 post-mortems, most due to the ongoing drought, 3 collarings and 5 treated for natural causes. Amongst other cases, the Units also attended to 10 lions for natural injuries and collarings whilst 1 leopard was ear tagged. 2 rhinos were also ear tagged, another 2 were rescued, 2 treated for natural causes and 2 post-mortems conducted.
Case Details Elephant Predators Rhino Plains Game Giraffe Buffalo Other Poaching HWC Natural Causes Post-mortem Rescue Collared Research/ Survey Relocation Technical Cases Grand Total
24 3 5 9 24 3
1 5 4
2 2 2
20 5 9 1
8 1 2 2 1
2 2 2
6 1 1
6 68
2 4
1 17
2 8
41
14
6
8
Grand Total 57 20 24 14 27 9 1 7 3 162
162 Cases Attended to by the SWT/KWS Vet Units October to December 2021 60
. 50
Other Buffalo
40
Giraffe 30
Plains Game Rhinos
20 Predators Elephant 10
0 Poaching
Human Wildlife Conflict
Natural Causes
Postmortem
Rescue
Collared
Research/ Survey
Relocation
Technical Cases
77 Poaching and HWC Cases Attended to by the SWT/KWS Vet Units October to December 2021 45 40 35 30 25 20 15 10 5
Poaching
Human Wildlife Conflict Elephant
Predators
Plains Game
Giraffe
Buffalo
Other
Manmade Structure
Vegetation Clearing
Poison
Relocation
Manhole
Livestock Predation
Human Items
Fencing
Electrocution
Bullet Wound
Spear
Snared
Poaching Postmortem
Bullet Wound
Arrow
0
Outcomes of Cases Attended to by the SWT/KWS Vet Units October to December 2021
Reunited with Mother 1%
Prognosis Poor 9%
Successful Cases 55%
Poaching Death 3% HWC Death 4%
Died 14%
Taken to Orphanage 13% Not Located 1%
Outcomes of Cases Attended to by the SWT/KWS Vet Units October to December 2021 Tsavo
14
Mara
2
15
Meru
6
Amboseli
3
4
3
11
13
11 2
1 2 1
15
Mt Kenya
5
4
21
Rift Valley Vet
1
2
17
0
5
10
2
3
2
3
111
20
30
40
Successful Cases
Reunited with Mother
Prognosis Poor
Poaching Death
HWC Death
Died
Taken to Orphanage
Not Located
50
60
SWT/KWS Mobile Vet Unit Treatment Locations Tsavo – Mara – Meru – Amboseli – Mt Kenya – Rift Valley October – December 2021
SWT/KWS TSAVO MOBILE VETERINARY UNIT OVERVIEW October – December 2021
48 Cases
16 Poaching Cases
34 Elephant Cases
The dry season ravaged the Tsavo Ecosystem through October and November. Most of the water dried up and there was scarce forage available for the animals. As the drought continued the Unit were called to rescue many elephant calves that were too weak and collapsing all over Tsavo East. Many other herbivores were also affected by the drought, including elands, buffalos, impala, hartebeest and wildebeest. Due to the dry season, there was an increase in human-wildlife conflict, drought and poaching related incidences. The Unit were off in December, but as expected the rains began early December which was a great relief to the suffering wildlife. With the increase in forage and water we hope to see a reduction in cases in January 2022. 48 Cases Attended to by the SWT/KWS Tsavo Vet Unit October to December 2021 18 16 14 Other 12
Buffalo
10
Giraffe
8
Plains Game
6
Predators Elephant
4 2 0 Poaching
Human Wildlife Conflict
Natural Causes
Postmortem
Rescue
Outcomes of Cases Attended to by the SWT/KWS Tsavo Vet Unit October to December 2021 Reunited with Mother 4%
Successful Cases 29%
Prognosis Poor 9%
Poaching Death 6% HWC Death 2%
Taken to Orphanage 27% Died 23%
SWT/KWS Tsavo Mobile Vet Unit Treatment Locations October – December 2021
October 2021
To see the full report for Tsavo Vet Unit for the month of October 2021 click here
November 2021
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December 2021
Tsavo Vet Unit were on leave for the month of December 2021
SWT/KWS MARA MOBILE VETERINARY UNIT OVERVIEW October – December 2021
19 Cases
12 Poaching Cases
10 Elephant Cases
There was sporadic rainfall in October which ceased in November and December. At the beginning of the quarter there was adequate food and water for all species, but this began to diminish rapidly. Thankfully, there was enough water available for the wildlife, which were mostly found in riverine areas where there was still good vegetation and plentiful water. The persistent dry spell did bring about challenges due to competition for resources between wildlife and community members with their livestock, resulting in conflict. The Unit treated 4 snared, 2 speared and 2 arrowed elephants as well as 3 snared giraffe and 1 buffalo. The Unit also attended to lions, rhinos and giraffes for natural injuries, rescues, and post-mortems. 19 Cases Attended to by the SWT/KWS Mara Vet Unit October to December 2021 14
12
10 Buffalo Giraffe
8
Rhinos 6
Predators Elephant
4
2
0 Poaching
Natural Causes
Postmortem
Rescue
Outcomes of Cases Attended to by the SWT/KWS Mara Vet Unit October to December 2021
Prognosis Poor 5%
Died 5% Successful Cases 79%
Taken to Orphanage 11%
SWT/KWS Mara Mobile Vet Unit Treatment Locations October – December 2021
October 2021
To see the full report for Mara Vet Unit for the month of October 2021 click here
November 2021
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December 2021
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SWT/KWS MERU MOBILE VETERINARY UNIT OVERVIEW October – December 2021
13 Cases
7 Poaching Cases
6 Elephant Cases
In November, the ecosystem continued to endure harsh conditions for wildlife due to failed rains during this particularly long dry season. The remaining vegetation was over utilized, and water pans ran dry leaving only the rivers to drink from. Thankfully, the parks rivers continued to flow, providing sufficient water to support the wildlife. The December rains were delayed, but despite this, the ecosystem flourished with rich vegetation and rapid regeneration and there should be enough vegetation to support healthy wildlife populations. The Unit attended to elephants, a lion, rhino and zebra for natural causes, rescues and postmortems. They also attended to 7 poaching cases including 4 elephants, an oryx, zebra and giraffe. 13 Cases Attended to by the SWT/KWS Meru Vet Unit October to December 2021 8
7
6 Giraffe 5
Plains Game
4
Rhinos Predators
3
Elephant 2
1
0 Poaching
Natural Causes
Postmortem
Rescue
Outcomes of Cases Attended to by the SWT/KWS Meru Vet Unit October to December 2021
Prognosis Poor 23%
Poaching Death 8% Successful Cases 46% Died 15% Taken to Orphanage 8%
SWT/KWS Meru Mobile Vet Unit Treatment Locations October – December 2021
October 2021
Meru Vet Unit were on leave for the month of October 2021
November 2021
To see the full report for Meru Vet Unit for the month of November 2021 click here
December 2021
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SWT/KWS AMBOSELI MOBILE VETERINARY UNIT OVERVIEW October – December 2021
28 Cases
12 HWC Cases
7 Elephant Cases
The dry season continued through October and November in the Amboseli/Chyulu Ecosystem; most of the vegetation was dry and areas were prone to sporadic bush fires. There were a lot more reported deaths, mostly due to starvation and lack of water. In the pursuit of food and water, wildlife dispersed, bringing them into contact with humans and consequently conflict. December brought relief to the whole ecosystem due to plentiful rains and the wildlife feasted on the abundant regrowth and bountiful vegetation. Most of the cases handled were related to human-wildlife conflict including, livestock predation, relocation/fencing, a buffalo stuck in a swimming pool and poisoning. There were only 3 poaching (snaring) cases reported. 28 Cases Attended to by the SWT/KWS Amboseli Vet Unit October to December 2021 14
12
10
Other Buffalo
8 Giraffe Plains Game
6
Predators 4
Elephant
2
0 Poaching
Human Wildlife Natural Causes Conflict
Postmortem
Rescue
Collared
Research/ Survey
Outcomes of Cases Attended to by the SWT/KWS Amboseli Vet Unit October to December 2021
HWC Death 18%
Died 14%
Successful Cases 54%
Not Located 7%
Taken to Orphanage 7%
SWT/KWS Amboseli Mobile Vet Unit Treatment Locations October – December 2021
October 2021
To see the full report for Amboseli Vet Unit for the month of October 2021 click here
November 2021
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December 2021
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SWT/KWS MT KENYA MOBILE VETERINARY UNIT OVERVIEW October – December 2021
29 Cases
9 Elephant Cases
4 Poaching Cases
During November and December, the Unit attended to all reported wildlife cases that required veterinary intervention in the Laikipia Ecosystem and Mt. Kenya Region. The Unit attended to 9 elephant cases, including 3 rescues, a post-mortem, a snare wound, 3 bullet wounds, one of which was most likely due to human-wildlife conflict, and the relocation of a problem elephant bull. The only other poaching incident was the de-snaring of a zebra. The Unit also assisted Mt Kenya Wildlife Conservancy in relocating 1 bongo and treating 5 others. They also assisted the Kenya wildlife Capture Unit in translocating warthogs, zebras, impalas and a Thompson’s gazelle from Ol Pejeta and Solio Ranch to Ngawa Ranch in Nyeri. 29 Cases Attended to by the SWT/KWS Mount Kenya Vet Unit October to December 2021 8 7 Other
6
Giraffe
5
Plains Game 4 Rhinos 3
Predators
2
Elephant
1 0 Poaching
Human Wildlife Conflict
Natural Causes
Postmortem
Rescue
Collared
Relocation
Technical Cases
Outcomes of Cases Attended to by the SWT/KWS Mount Kenya Vet Unit October to December 2021
Prognosis Poor 7%
Died 10%
Successful Cases 73%
Taken to Orphanage 10%
SWT/KWS Mt Kenya Mobile Vet Unit Treatment Locations October – December 2021
October 2021
Mt Kenya Vet Unit were on leave for the month of October 2021
November 2021
To see the full report for Mt Kenya Vet Unit for the month of November 2021 click here
December 2021
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SWT/KWS RIFT VALLEY MOBILE VETERINARY UNIT OVERVIEW October – December 2021
25 Cases
15 Poaching Cases
16 Plains Game Cases
Although the region was experiencing a dry spell through October – December, parts of Lake Naivasha and the Central Rift Conservation Area received sporadic showers. Pasture and browse availability gradually decreased but the infrequent rain showers prevented the area from drying out completely. Whilst on duty, the Unit conducted routine patrols and clinical cases, assisted with several translocations as well as a rhino ear notching exercise. Of the 15 poaching cases, 14 were snare injuries, 9 zebra, 2 oryx, a buffalo, impala and ostrich. The Unit also travelled to the Mara to treat an elephant with a bullet wound. Another elephant was translocated from near Naivasha town to the Mara to avoid conflict with humans, amongst other cases. 25 Cases Attended to by the SWT/KWS Rift Valley Vet Unit October to December 2021 16 14 12 Other 10
Buffalo Plains Game
8
Rhinos
6
Elephant 4 2 0 Poaching
Human Wildlife Conflict
Natural Causes
Postmortem
Relocation
Technical Cases
Outcomes of Cases Attended to by the SWT/KWS Rift Valley Vet Unit October to December 2021
Prognosis Poor 20%
Successful Cases 68%
Poaching Death 4% HWC Death 4% Died 4%
SWT/KWS Rift Valley Mobile Vet Unit Treatment Locations October - December 2021
October 2021
To see the full report for Rift Valley Vet Unit for the month of October 2021 click here
November 2021
Rift Valley Vet Unit were on leave for the month of November 2021.
December 2021
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