SWT/KWS Meru Mobile Veterinary Report for July 2024
SWT/KWS MERU MOBILE VETERINARY UNIT
JULY 2024
5 Cases in July 2 Poaching Cases 1 Elephant Case
July Report by
Dr. Aminga Duncan
Daytime temperatures fluctuated significantly in July, several days were marked by cloudy skies and a noticeable drop in temperature. As the dry season set in, grass has gradually lost its green hue, and a few patches in the plains are devoid of flora. Although most rivers are decreasing in volume and seasonal water holes are drying up, the rivers have kept flowing which gives us hope that water and food for wildlife will be sufficient in the coming months.
The SWT/KWS Meru Mobile Veterinary Unit attended to 5 cases in July, 2 of these cases were related to poaching. In Meru National Park, the veterinary team treated an adult elephant bull for significant lameness in its left hind leg; the team also treated and relocated a male Grevy’s zebra from the Murera staff quarters to the Meru Rhino Sanctuary; and administered a prophylactic treatment to a security dog at the Meru Rhino Canine Unit In the Sankuri area of Garissa, the veterinary team attended to 2 snared sub-adult Reticulated giraffe bulls.
Acknowledgement
We are deeply grateful to Sylvie Chantecaille for the ongoing generous financial support to the Meru Mobile Veterinary Unit through the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust. Your support has empowered the veterinary team to make a significant impact in conserving wildlife and their habitats within the Eastern Conservation Area. We also thank Kenya Wildlife Service for providing oversight and logistical support under the leadership of the Senior Assistant Director-Eastern Conservation Area and the Head of KWS-Veterinary Services Department. Furthermore, we appreciate Born Free Foundation, Sankuri Conservancy Management, and all the individuals who reported wildlife cases and provided steadfast support during our interventions.
Case Details
July 2024
Case
Elephant Natural Causes
Meru National Park
Born Free Foundation reported an elephant bull with a swelling on the left hind leg, specifically at the knee joint, which was causing the animal difficulty in walking.
Immobilisation, examination and treatment
The injured elephant bull was darted on the rump from the vehicle with 17mgs Etorphine. He went into sternal recumbency 23 minutes later. The 2 bulls he was found with were pushed to a safe distance then the immobilized bull was repositioned to right lateral recumbency to avoid chest compression and facilitate efficient examination of the affected limb. Generalized swelling around the knee joint was observed. The elephant was in fair body condition (rated 3 out of 5). No cutaneous injuries were found. Further evaluation of the affected joint for effusion yielded negative results indicating a soft tissue swelling. The injury was identified as an old joint dislocation with a minor fracture evidenced by arthrodesis distal to the knee joint and an extended condyle at the joint area that was limiting proper joint angulation. 3,000mgs Flunixin meglumine, 600mgs Cyanocobalamin, and 7,500mgs Amoxicillin were administered. Anaesthesia was reversed 20 minutes later with 350mgs Naltrexone administered through a prominent ear vein.
Prognosis
The elephant bull has a favourable to guarded prognosis.
Case 2 – 03
July 2024
Zebra Natural Causes
Meru National Park
An adult male Grevy’s zebra that had been translocated from Loisaba Wildlife Conservancy was reported to have a swelling and an infected wound on its left hind leg. He was overly habituated to humans and had sought refuge at the Murera staff quarters which was posing a potential risk of injury to staff given his reported aggressive behaviour.
Immobilisation, examination and treatment
The stallion was approached on foot and darted with 6 mgs Etorphine and 60 mgs Azaperone. He went into recumbency 6 minutes later. Examination of the affected limb revealed a small contaminated wound exuding pus that was suspected to have been inflicted by a tree stump. The wound was irrigated with water and normal saline, flushed with Hydrogen peroxide and Iodine, infused with an antibiotic ointment, and covered with an antibiotic aerosol. 40mgs Dexamethasone sodium, 3000mgs Amoxicillin, and 150mgs
Cyanocobalamin were also administered intramuscularly
Relocation, revival and prognosis
After treatment, he was relocated to the Meru Rhino Sanctuary while under anaesthesia. He was revived with 100mgs Naltrexone administered intravenously. He stood up 2 minutes later and began grazing. It is anticipated that he will acclimate well to his new environment.
Case 3 – 10th July 2024
Giraffe Snared
Sankuri Conservancy
The Senior Warden KWS Garissa Station reported that 2 Reticulated giraffes had been sighted by Sankuri Conservancy Scouts with lameness caused by wire snares.
Immobilisation, examination and treatment
This sub-adult giraffe bull had a wire snare on the left hindlimb. He was within a group of approximately 14 giraffes of various ages. The snared giraffe was darted in the right rump with 12mgs Etorphine and 20mgs Azaperone. The drugs took effect rapidly, and within minutes, he was roped to the ground. His head and neck were restrained to ensure proper breathing, and he was blindfolded to prevent ocular damage and visual excitation. Anaesthesia was reversed with 250mgs Naltrexone administered via the jugular vein. The winch cable snare wad deeply embedded in the left hindlimb at the canon bone. The snare was carefully cut loose using wire cutters. Fortunately, bone structure was intact. The wound was cleaned with water, flushed with Hydrogen peroxide and iodine, and covered with green clay. An antibiotic spray was also applied to deter flies. 80mgs Dexamethasone sodium, 6,000mgs Amoxicillin were administered intramuscularly before he was released to rejoin his group.
Prognosis
The giraffe has a good prognosis.
Case 4 – 11th July 2024
Giraffe Snared
Sankuri Conservancy
While on patrol within Sankuri area, the Meru Mobile Veterinary Unit received a report from the KWS Garissa team regarding the sighting of the 2nd snared giraffe
Immobilisation, examination and treatment
The snared sub-adult giraffe bull was found alone browsing on an acacia tree. He was darted from the vehicle in the left flank with 13mgs Etorphine and 30mgs Azaperone. Within a few minutes, the drug took effect, and he was roped to the ground. His head and neck were pinned to the ground for proper restraint, he was also blindfolded to prevent ocular damage and visual excitation. Anaesthesia was reversed with 275mg Naltrexone administered via the jugular vein. Physical examination revealed a winch wire snare tightly embedded around the short pastern of his right forelimb. The wire snare was deeply embedded into the flesh compromising the integrity of the bone. The snare was removed with wire cutters then the wound was cleaned with water, debrided with Hydrogen peroxide, flushed with Iodine, and covered with green clay for its healing properties. Intramuscularly, he received 80mgs Dexamethasone, 7,500mgs Amoxicillin, and 400mgs Cyanocobalamin. He was released 20 minutes later and ran away with a sign of relief.
Prognosis
The giraffe has a favourable to guarded prognosis for recovery
Case 5 – 23rd July 2024
Security Dog Technical Case
Meru National Park
The security dogs in Meru National Park play a crucial role in wildlife conservation by tracking poachers and detecting illegal activities within the Meru ecosystem. Despite their significant contributions to combating poaching, these dogs are at risk of contracting Trypanosomiasis that is a highly fatal disease transmitted by Tsetse flies. To protect these valuable canines, the Meru Veterinary team administered a vaccination against Trypanosomiasis to Sep, a security dog at the Meru Canine Unit, ensuring he remains in optimal health for his important duties.
Examination and treatment
To ensure Sep remained calm during the examination, he was introduced to the veterinarian beforehand. During the physical examination, it was observed that he was in fair body condition (3/5), active, and alert. His body weight was recorded at 26.7kg, and the appropriate drug dosages were calculated accordingly. He was manually restrained and given a subcutaneous injection of 0.9ml of Triquin® (a combination of Quinapyramine sulphate and Quinapyramine chloride) on the dorsal side of his neck. Additionally, he received an intramuscular injection of 200mgs Butafosfan to support muscle physiology.
Prognosis
No adverse reactions were noted resulting in a good prognosis being indicated.
