SWT/KWS Mt Kenya Mobile Veterinary Report for July 2024
SWT/KWS MT. KENYA MOBILE VETERINARY UNIT
JULY 2024
14 Cases in July
July Report by Dr.
Poghon J.
3 HWC Cases 1 Elephant Case
In July 2024, the SWT/KWS Mt. Kenya Mobile Veterinary Unit attended to 14 wildlife cases involving 819 animals. The veterinary team ear-notched 15 black rhinos and 2 southern white rhinos in Ol Pejeta Conservancy and treated a juvenile elephant bull in Ol Jogi Conservancy exhibiting lameness on the right forelimb. 4 cases involving lions were also tackled by the team. These included the translocation of 2 lions from Solio Game Reserve to Tundra Conservancy; de-snared a sub-adult lioness in Segera Conservancy; and collaring 2 adult lionesses in Mugie Ranch and Ol-Maisor Ranch. Several translocations were carried out over the reporting period, the largest one involved a mass drive of 713 common zebras and 38 elands to Solio Game Reserve. These animals had strayed from the conservancy to neighbouring private farmlands leading to human-wildlife conflict. The team also translocated 6 common zebras and 4 waterbucks from Mount Kenya Wildlife Conservancy to Tindress Wildlife Conservancy and 10 ostrich chicks back to Mount Kenya Wildlife Conservancy. In addition, the veterinary team treated a Grevy’s zebra foal at Inasoit Conservancy; de-snared and treated a juvenile spotted hyena at Jua Kali; rescued and relocated a juvenile bushbuck from Lolmarik to Mount Kenya Wildlife Conservancy; collared 21 baboons at Mpala Research Centre; and performed a postmortem examination on the carcass of an adult male crocodile at Mamba Village, Kiganjo.
Acknowledgement
The Mt. Kenya Mobile Wildlife Veterinary Unit thanks the Senior Assistant Director, Mountain Conservation Area and the Head of Veterinary Services, Kenya Wildlife Service for providing leadership and technical expertise. The veterinary team also appreciates The Sheldrick Wildlife Trust (SWT) for providing the financial and logistical support that enables the Unit to fulfil its mandate.
Case Details
Date
Species
5-Jul-24 Elephant Ol Jogi Conservancy Natural Causes
Sub-adult elephant bull exhibiting lameness on the right forelimb Prognosis poor
5-Jul-24 Zebra Enasoit Ranch Natural Causes Female Grevy’s zebra foal abandoned by the dam Prognosis poor
8-Jul-24 Hyena Jua Kali Area Snared Juvenile male spotted hyena with a tight wire snare around the lumbar region Poaching death
11-Jul-24 Lion Solio Ranch HWC
Relocation of 2 young adult male lions to mitigate human-wildlife conflict Task Successful
11-Jul-24 Bushbuck Laikipia County Rescue 1.5-year-old bushbuck fawn seen walking by herself for some time without the dam Taken to orphanage
13-Jul-24 Baboon Mpala Research Centre Collaring
20-Jul-24
Zebra & Eland Solio Ranch HWC
Capture and collaring 21 baboons in Mpala Research Centre Task successful
Mass drive of zebras and elands that had strayed from the ranch Task successful
21-Jul-24 Crocodile Mamba Village HWC Autopsy on the carcass of an adult male crocodile found dead in the pond HWC Death
23-Jul-24 Lion Segera Conservancy Snared Sub-adult female lioness with a loose wire snare around the neck Successfully treated
24-Jul-24 Rhino Ol Pejeta Conservancy Technical Case Ear notching 15 black rhinos and 2 white rhinos Task successful
26-Jul-24 Zebra & Waterbuck Mt. Kenya Conservancy Relocation
Translocation of 6 Zebras and 4 waterbucks Task Successful
Translocation of 10 ostriches from Tindress Wildlife Conservancy Task Successful
Replacement of a malfunctioning collar on an adult lioness. Task successful
Replacement of a malfunctioning collar on an adult lioness. Task successful
SWT/KWS Mt. Kenya
Mobile Vet Unit Treatment Locations
July 2024
Elephant Natural Causes
Ol Jogi Conservancy
A sub-adult male elephant in Ol Jogi Conservancy was reported to have lameness on the right forelimb.
Immobilisation, examination and treatment
The elephant was darted at 1639 hrs with 8 mg Etorphine hydrochloride delivered using a Dan-Inject® CO2 rifle fired from a vehicle. The dart landed on the left rump and induction time was 7 minutes. The elephant went into left lateral recumbency and upon examination, the animal was noted to be in good body condition (score of 4 out of 5).
There was no open wound on the right forelimb. An X-ray revealed a comminuted fracture of the ulna, just below the elbow joint. 9,000mg Amoxicillin and 8,000mg Flunixin meglumine were administered intramuscularly then anaesthesia was reversed at 17:12 hrs with 160mg Naltrexone injected intravenously. The elephant stood 2 minutes later
A female Grevy’s zebra foal was reported to have been abandoned by the dam. The foal was found in left lateral recumbency and the dam was watching from a distance.
Immobilisation, examination and treatment
The foal was restrained physically, and general physical examination carried out.
The animal had good body condition (score of 4 out of 5). Laminitis was observed on the right forelimb and there was pus on aspiration of the swollen area around the pastern. Additionally, the coronet and heel appeared to be swollen. The hoof of the right forelimb was irrigated with Iodine, 1200 mg Clindamycin was injected into the swollen tissue around the fetlock and Oxytetracycline spray was applied. Systemic cover was done using 1,500mg Amoxicillin, 1,200mg Flunixin meglumine and 5mls Butasal, and 20mg Ivermectin.
Prognosis
The zebra foal has a guarded prognosis
Case 3 – 08th July 2024
Hyena Snared
Jua Kali Area, Laikipia
A snared juvenile male hyena was reported to have been found in a bush with a tight snare around its lumbar region. The snare that had caused a deep wound around the muscles of the abdomen.
Immobilisation, examination and treatment
The hyena was darted at 11:45 hrs with 150mg Ketamine combined with 2mg Medetomidine delivered using a Dan-Inject® CO2 rifle fired from foot. The dart landed on the musculature of the right hip. Induction time was 3 minutes, and the hyena went down into left lateral recumbency. A blindfold was applied to prevent stimulation by light. Upon examination, the animal was found to be in poor body condition (score of 2 out of 5). The wound around the abdomen at the lumbar region was deep and slightly infected. The wound was scrubbed with dilute Hydrogen peroxide, rinsed and irrigated with Iodine, then green clay was packed into the wound and topical Oxytetracycline spray applied. Systemic cover was done using 1,500mg Amoxicillin, 8mg Dexamethasone, and 5mls Butasal administered intramuscularly. Anaesthesia was reversed at 12:20 hrs with 10mg Atipamezole administered intramuscularly.
Prognosis
The hyena had a guarded prognosis. He was later transferred to Mount Kenya Wildlife Conservancy where he died of septicaemia.
Lion
Human-Wildlife Conflict
Solio Ranch
Two young male lions had been spotted on the road outside Solio game reserve. They were captured and translocated to Tundra Wildlife Conservancy to mitigate human-wildlife conflict.
Immobilisation, examination and treatment
Both lions were darted with 6mg Medetomidine combined with 300mg Ketamine. The drugs were delivered using a Dan-Inject® CO2 rifle fired from a vehicle.
One of the two lions had fight wounds on the head and forelimbs. Topical Oxytetracycline spray was applied on the wounds and systemic cover was done using 3,000 mg Amoxicillin and 20 mg Dexamethasone administered intramuscularly.
Relocation
Each lion was loaded onto a stretcher and transferred to a metallic cage in the translocation vehicles. Anaesthesia reversal was done 45 minutes after induction with 15 mg Atipamezole administered intramuscularly. Both lions were released in Tundra Conservancy at 23:15 hours.
Case 5 – 11th July 2024
A female bushbuck fawn was seen walking all on her own for some time without the company of the dam. Time was allowed for the dam to reunite with the fawn, but she did not show up. Therefore, she was presumed dead.
Rescue
The calf was rescued and translocated to the Mount Kenya Wildlife Conservancy. She was put in isolation for a period of 2 weeks for observation for disease.
Prognosis
The fawn has a good prognosis and is doing well at the orphanage.
Bushbuck Rescue Lolmarik, Laikipia County
Case 6 – 13th July 2024
Baboon Collaring Mpala Research Centre
From 13th – 18th July 2024, the SWT/KWS Mt. Kenya Mobile Veterinary Unit facilitated the collaring of 21 baboons (14 adult males, 1 sub-adult male, 5 adult females and 1 sub-adult female) at Mpala Research Centre.
Immobilisation, examination and collaring
The baboons were captured using cuboidal mesh cages with a trap door. Maize (green and dry) was used as bait. Chemical immobilisation was achieved with 200mg Ketamine combined with 0.4mg Medetomidine for males and 100 mg Ketamine combined with 0.2mg Medetomidine for females. The drugs were administered intramuscularly through injection by hand.
When the drugs took effect, the baboons were retrieved from the cage traps, placed on a table, and their cheek pouches emptied. Anaesthesia monitoring was done throughout the exercise Solar powered collars with a drop off mechanism were fitted on the necks of the immobilised baboons. Samples were collected including blood, faecal swabs, fur and parasites. Measurements of the neck, limbs and crown-rump length were taken. The baboons were placed in recovery cages and Atipamezole hydrochloride (2mg for males and 1mg for females) was administered intramuscularly 30-40 minutes post-induction. The average recovery time was one hour and thirty minutes.
Case 7 – 20th July 2024
Between 20th July 2024 and 25th July 2024, the SWT/KWS Mt. Kenya Mobile Veterinary Unit supported the mass drive of zebras and eland to Solio Game Reserve. These animals had strayed into neighbouring private farmlands from the conservancy leading to human-wildlife conflict.
Translocation
The zebras were first driven from the neighbouring private farmland into the game reserve by a helicopter. A section of the fence between the Conservancy and the Ranch was temporarily brought down. A plastic corrals/funnel capture system was set up and the zebras were driven into the Conservancy through this system by use of a helicopter, chase cars and individuals on the ground. A total of 713 zebras and 38 elands were driven into the Conservancy.
Unfortunately, 3 zebras (2 females, 1 male) died due to overexertion during the mass drive exercise.
Zebra & Eland Human – Wildlife Conflict
Solio Ranch
Case 8 – 21st July 2024
Crocodile Human-Wildlife Conflict Mamba Village, Kiganjo
An adult male Nile crocodile was found dead and floating in the pond. There were no signs of disease or change in behaviour prior to death.
General post-mortem findings
The postmortem interval was estimated to be approximately 48 hours. The body condition was good (scoring 4 over 5). The carcass had deep bite wounds on the head resulting from fights with other males in the pond.
Significant post-mortem findings
There was straw coloured mucoid exudate in the oesophagus. The liver was swollen and had rounded edges. Distention and severe congestion of the serosa of the stomach was noted. A plastic pipe and undigested bones were present in the stomach. There was congestion of the serosa of the small intestine and colon. Severe haemorrhage was seen on the mucosa of the small intestine and the small intestine was empty.
Cause of death
The cause of death was impaction in the stomach caused by the plastic pipe which disrupted the normal flow of digestion.
Lion Snared
Segera Conservancy
A sub-adult lioness in Segera Conservancy was reported to have a loose snare around its neck.
Immobilisation, examination and treatment
The lioness was darted with 300mg Ketamine combined with 6mg Medetomidine delivered with a DanInject® CO2 rifle fired from a vehicle. The dart landed on the musculature of the left shoulder and the lioness went into left lateral recumbency.
Upon examination, the animal was noted to be in good body condition (score of 4 out of 5). The wire snare was cut off with wire cutters and upon removal, no wound was observed on the neck. Cloxacillin (Opticlox®) and Oxytetracycline Spray were applied into the dart wound. Systemic cover was done using 3,000mg Amoxicillin. Anaesthesia was reversed at 14:15 hrs with 12.5mg Atipamezole and 12.5mg Yohimbine administered intramuscularly.
Prognosis
The lioness has a good prognosis.
Case 10 – 24th July 2024
Rhino Technical Case
Ol Pejeta Conservancy
Over a 4-day period, the SWT/KWS Mt. Kenya Mobile Veterinary Unit ear notched 17 rhinos (15 black and 2 white) in Ol Pejeta Conservancy. One Black rhino that was observed to be blind was translocated from the larger Conservancy into a 700-acre boma. The main objective of the ear notching activity was to identify individual rhinoceros by a specific notch pattern (a coded number) and a particular name. The exercise also presented an opportunity to collect biological samples for forensic (RHODIS i.e. Rhino DNA Index System) and laboratory research work.
Immobilisation, examination and ear notching
A fixed wing plane and a helicopter were used to locate the animals. The rhinos were then darted from the helicopter as the ground team were guided to the location of the darted animal. Effective immobilization was achieved using a drug combination of Etorphine and Azaperone. Immobilized rhinos were quickly secured, posture and airway obstruction problems addressed, and monitoring of vitals initiated All immobilized rhinoceros were examined physically for injuries, traumatic wounds and wound lesions caused by filarial worms. In addition, Butorphanol Tartrate and Doxapram were administered intravenously for rhinos showing signs of respiratory distress to ensure stable and safe levels of anaesthesia. Ear notch wounds were liberally sprayed with Oxytetracycline. Reversal of anaesthesia was done with either 60mg or 75mg Naltrexone I.M for the black rhinos and 100mg Naltrexone I.V and 100mg Naltrexone I.M for white rhinos
Zebra, Waterbuck & Ostrich Relocation
Mt. Kenya Wildlife Conservancy
The SWT/KWS Mt. Kenya Mobile Veterinary Unit translocated 6 zebras (3 females & 3 males) and 4 waterbucks (3 females & 1 male) from Mt. Kenya Wildlife Conservancy to Tindress Wildlife Conservancy. On the return trip, ten 7–8-month-old ostriches were translocated back to Mt Kenya Wildlife Sanctuary.
Immobilisation, examination and translocation
The waterbucks were darted with 5mg Etorphine hydrochloride combined with 30mg Azaperone, delivered using a Dan-Inject® CO2 rifle fired on foot in close proximity to the animals. The zebras were darted with 6mg Etorphine hydrochloride combined with 40mg Azaperone delivered using a Dan-Inject® CO2 rifle fired from a vehicle.
The waterbucks and zebras were placed on a stretcher, one at a time and loaded into the crate. For reversal, 150mg Naltrexone was administered intravenously to the zebras and 100mg Naltrexone was administered intravenously to the waterbucks. The waterbucks were translocated to Tindress and numerous stops were made along the way to check on the animals.
On the return trip, ten 7–8-month-old ostriches were translocated back to Mt Kenya Wildlife Sanctuary.
Unfortunately, there are no pictures for these cases.
Case 13 & Case 14 – 30th & 31st July 2024
Lion Technical Case Mugie Ranch & Ol Maisor Ranch
2 lionesses had been collared earlier in the year (January 2024) to mitigate livestock depredation in the ranches. However, their collars had malfunctioned, and they had to be replaced.
Immobilisation, examination and collaring
The lionesses were immobilized with 300mg Ketamine combined with 6mg Medetomidine delivered using a Dan-Inject® CO2 rifle fired from a vehicle. A blindfold was then placed on the animal’s face to prevent stimulation by light. Cloxacillin (Opticlox®) was infused into the dart wound and topical Oxytetracycline spray applied. A new collar was fitted on the neck of each lioness. Measurements taken during the collar fitting exercise included nose tip to base of tail, tail length, ear diameter, hind foot length, shoulder height, shoulder to elbow, elbow to base of paw, hip protrusion to knee, knee to hock, hock to base of paw, neck, girth at the chest cavity. The nipples were examined for prominence to check whether the lionesses were lactating. Blood and faecal samples were also collected for DNA analysis.
Reversal
After the effects of immobilization drugs were allowed to diminish through metabolism for one hour, reversal of anaesthesia was done with 10 mg Atipamezole and 12.5 mg Yohimbine administered intramuscularly. About 30 to 40 minutes after reversal, though a little drowsy, the lionesses rose and walked away.
