SWT/KWS Mara Mobile Veterinary Report for July 2024
SWT/KWS MARA MOBILE VETERINARY UNIT
JULY 2024
July Report by Dr. Michael Njoroge
Poaching Cases
Giraffe Cases
The Mara Vet Unit attended to 6 cases in July, predominantly as a result of poaching. These cases included an elephant with a spear wound to the eyes, 2 giraffes with arrow wounds, another giraffe with a snare wound as well as a zebra with a snare wound, and finally a lion with fight injuries to the face and abdomen. Thankfully all the cases were attended to promptly and all the animals were given a good prognosis for a full recovery.
Acknowledgement
The Mara Mobile Veterinary team greatly appreciates Elizabeth Scarlett for funding the Unit through the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust. The team also thanks Kenya Wildlife Service for providing technical support and all the conservation partners who contributed to the success of veterinary interventions through timely reporting of veterinary cases and monitoring of treated animals. 6 Cases in July
Case Details
July 2024
Elephant Spear
Mara Triangle
The Rangers from the Mara Triangle had spotted an adult female elephant that had a spear wound in the eyes. The Mara Vet team were informed and in due time arrived for a prompt intervention.
Immobilisation, examination and treatment
The animal was darted successfully with 14mgs of Etorphine, it made some efforts to run away. It was immobilized in seven minutes and then fell to the ground with a slight push using a rope to help her fall in the right direction.
The wounds were cleaned with water, then cauterized with Hydrogen peroxide and lavaged with Povidone Iodine. Antibiotic pessaries were inserted into the heavily infected deep wounds to deter any chances of reinfection. Systemically the elephant was given 30,000mg of Amoxicillin and 50mgs Dexamethasone administered intramuscularly.
Prognosis
The elephant was revived using 170mgs Naltrexone into the ear vein and third of the drug intramuscularly on the forelimb. Prognosis is good.
Case 2 – 11th July 2024
Giraffe Spear Isaaten Conservancy, Masai Mara Mara vet attended to an adult male giraffe with an arrow wound on the left forelimb at the hock joint.
Immobilisation, examination and treatment
The giraffe was found facing the wrong direction hence with the aid of the rangers, we changed the course of movement together with the herd. After 10-15 minutes of pushing to a better site the animal was in a good position and darted successfully with 15mgs of Etorphine and 25mgs Azaperone. It made some effort to run away but was finally immobilized in seven minutes but remained standing. Physical restraint using a long rope brought the giraffe to the ground. The animal went down smoothly, the anaesthetic was reversed with 210mg Naltrexone then it was maintained manually by pinning the head and neck on the ground.
The arrow was absent, but infection had set in. The wound was first thoroughly cleaned with Hydrogen peroxide then water and finally Iodine was applied. Topical antibiotic was infiltered into the wound then it was sprayed with Tetracycline. Systemically the giraffe was injected with 3,000mgs Amoxicillin into two muscle sites and 40mgs Dexamethasone into the muscle.
Prognosis
She energetically woke up and ran to join her group and moved into thick nearby bush Prognosis is good.
Giraffe Arrow
Olarro Conservancy
The vet team attended to an adult male giraffe with an arrowhead on the left forelimb at Olarro Conservancy-Maasai Mara.
Immobilisation, examination and treatment
The giraffe was manoeuvred into a good position and darted successfully with 15mgs of Etorphine and 25mgs Azaperone. It tried to run away but was finally immobilised in a standing position after 7 minutes, then it was roped to the ground for treatment. The animal went down smoothly and was given 210mg Naltrexone to reverse the anaesthetic. It was blindfolded and held manually by pinning the head and neck on the ground.
The arrow was retrieved though infection had not set in. The wound was first thoroughly cleaned with Hydrogen peroxide, water and Iodine. Topical antibiotic was infiltrated into the wound then it was finally sprayed with Tetracycline. Systemically it was injected with 3,000mgs of Amoxicillin into two muscle sites and 40mgs Dexamethasone into the muscle.
Prognosis
Prognosis is good.
Case 4 – 19th July 2024
Zebra Snared
Olkinyei Conservancy
The Vet team attended to a snared zebra in Olkinyei. The snare had caused a deep cut on the left hind limb.
Immobilisation, examination and treatment
After a long search the animal was found, and a 3mm dart was prepared composing of 6mgs Etorphine and 70mgs Azaperone. A vehicle was used to drive near the animal, and it was darted successfully after three minutes of approach. It was startled and kept walking away for five minutes when it attained standing immobilization and later went down on the left lateral recumbency and blindfolded.
The tight snare had cut through the soft tissues and had reached the bone. The snared was lightly pulled and cut. The dead tissue was removed followed by cleaning and disinfection with Hydrogen peroxide, water and finally Iodine then it was sprayed topically with Oxytetracycline. Systemic administration of antibiotics was achieved with 15,000mgs of Amoxicillin and anti-inflammatory with 30mgs Dexamethasone intramuscularly.
Prognosis
The anesthetic was reversed with 200mg of Naltrexone administered through the jugular vein. The animal stood on four limbs and ran into the bush. Prognosis is good.
Giraffe Snared Olkinyei Conservancy
The vet team attended to giraffe with a snare on the right hind limb in Olkinyei.
Immobilisation, examination and treatment
With the help of Conservancy Rangers, the giraffe was pushed to a suitable site and darted with 15mgs of Etorphine and 25mgs Azaperone. Once the drugs took effect, the animal was helped to the ground with ropes then the anaesthetic was reversed with 210mg Naltrexone. It was blindfolded and restrained manually by pinning the head and neck on the ground.
The snare was cut, and the animal released. Luckily the snare had not caused any injuries.
Prognosis
Prognosis is good.
Case 6 – 23rd July 2024
Lion Natural Causes Masai Mara National Reserve
Mdogo had been involved in a territorial fight. A search was conducted in vain. However, luckily some guests sighted the lion, and the vet team immediately attended to the case. He was found to have wounds on the spinal and flank regions.
Immobilisation, examination and treatment
The lion was approached with a vehicle and darted successfully in the pelvic muscle with 300mgs Ketamine and 4mgs Medetomidine. He made no effort to disappear after darting but relaxed and was completely sedated in ten minutes. He was blindfolded and moved to the shade of the vehicle on left recumbence.
The lion had multiple fight wounds on the face and left side of the abdomen. The wounds were cleaned with water, Hydrogen peroxide and Iodine. The lion was systemically injected with 15,000mgs Amoxicillin, 30mgs Dexamethasone. Topical antibiotic cream and spray were applied after the surgical operation.
Prognosis
Reversal was done one hour post immobilization by injecting 20mgs Atipamezole. He started showing signs of palpebral reflex and ear twitching after half an hour. He got into sternal recumbence after 45 minutes and started walking away 1 hour post revival. He was left in the company of the pride with a good prognosis.
