SWT/KWS Tsavo Mobile Veterinary Report for July 2024
SWT/KWS TSAVO MOBILE VETERINARY UNIT
JULY 2024
11 Cases in July 4 Poaching Cases 7 Elephant Cases
July Report by Dr. Campaign Limo
The Tsavo Conservation Area experienced very little precipitation in July. A few water pans remained full, but vegetation was rapidly drying out.
The SWT/KWS Tsavo Mobile Veterinary Unit attended to 11 cases in total over the reporting period. Most (7) of these cases involved elephants. However, the veterinary team also attended to 2 lions, 1 Masai giraffe and 1 buffalo. 4 Cases in total were related to poaching with 3 cases involving snared animals and 1 case being a postmortem.
Acknowledgement
The Tsavo Mobile Veterinary Unit appreciates all the stakeholders who supported this month’s interventions including the monitoring and reporting of veterinary cases. The team thanks Kenya Wildlife Service management for providing technical support and Sheldrick Wildlife Trust for funding the Tsavo Mobile Veterinary Unit.
Case Details
3-Jul-24 Lion Tsavo East N.P.
7-Jul-24 Elephant Tsavo East N.P. Snared
elephant bull with a long winch wire snare on his left forelimb Successfully treated
9-Jul-24 Elephant Tsavo East N.P. Snared Adult elephant bull with a purulent wound on the left forelimb caused by a wire snare Successfully treated
elephant bull with a wound on the left flank area Successfully treated
15-Jul-24 Buffalo Kulalu Ranch Snared Snared adult buffalo cow with a swollen mandible Successfully treated
16-Jul-24
18-Jul-24 Elephant Kilibasi Area Poaching Postmortem Carcass of a 40–45-year-old adult elephant bull found concealed with twigs Poaching death
21-Jul-24 Elephant Mgeno Ranch
22-Jul-24
Tsavo West N.P.
Causes
Causes
elephant bull with wounds on the left side of the neck and trunk Successfully treated
elephant bull with a wound on his left forelimb Prognosis poor
July 2024
Case 1 – 03rd July 2024
Lion Natural Causes
Ndara Plains, Tsavo East National Park
This lioness was spotted at the Ndara water point by tourists. She was alone, limping and appeared to have been left behind by her pride. The case was reported to veterinary unit through park management.
Immobilisation, examination and treatment
The lioness was darted from the vehicle and successfully immobilized with a combination of 4.8mg Medetomidine and 200mg Ketamine. It took 9 minutes for the drugs to take effect
Examination revealed a wound on the lion’s left shoulder area, the wound was suspected to be inflicted by a horn (predator – prey interaction). The wound was cleaned with water, flushed with Hydrogen peroxide, rinsed and infused with Iodine solution. Antibiotic cream was thereafter applied on the wound followed by a topical antibiotic spray. Additionally, long-acting antibiotics and antiparasitic medication was administered parenterally. Anaesthesia was reversed with 25mg Atipamezole delivered intramuscularly. She stood and returned to the shade 6 minutes later.
Prognosis
The lioness has a good prognosis.
Case
Elephant Snared
Satao Area, Tsavo East National Park
This adult elephant bull was seen near Satao Camp, he was holding a large log with his trunk as he strolled along. It was also noted that he was dragging a long wire snare on his left forelimb.
Immobilisation, examination and treatment
The elephant bull was approached on foot and darted with 18mg Etorphine hydrochloride. The drugs took effect 8 minutes later. Examination revealed a thick winch wire snare tightly bound around the bull’s left forelimb. The snare had inflicted a deep wound at the site. The wound was cleaned with water and devitalized tissues removed. It was thereafter flushed with Hydrogen peroxide solution, rinsed with water, dried with gauze swabs and infused with tincture of Iodine. Green clay was packed into the wound and antibiotic spray applied topically. Antibiotics and anti-inflammatories were also administered parenterally. Anaesthesia was reversed with 200mg Naltrexone hydrochloride delivered intravenously via a prominent ear vein. He stood and hastily walked away 3 minutes later.
Prognosis
The elephant bull has a good prognosis.
Elephant Snared
Ithumba, Tsavo East National Park
An adult elephant bull with a purulent wound at the radiocarpal joint on the left forelimb was spotted by a SWT pilot on routine patrol. The Veterinary Unit was informed and was airlifted to attend to the animal.
Immobilisation, examination and treatment
The elephant was darted from a helicopter and immobilized with 18mg Etorphine delivered remotely via a 3cc Dan inject dart. It took 6 minutes for the drug to take effect Examination revealed several small wounds circumnavigating the radiocarpal joint. The wounds were oozing pus, and on probing a deeply embedded wire snare was discovered. The wire snare was removed with pliers, the wounds were cleaned and devitalized tissues removed. Thereafter, the wounds were flushed with Hydrogen peroxide, rinsed with water and infused with tincture of Iodine. Topical antibiotic spray was then applied topically. Additionally, antiinflammatory medication was administered parenterally. The elephant was revived with 200mg Naltrexone hydrochloride given intravenously via a prominent ear vein. The bull stood and walked away 3 minutes later.
Prognosis
The elephant bull has a good prognosis.
Giraffe Natural Causes Luggard’s Area, Tsavo East National Park
This Masai giraffe was sighted near Lugard’s falls by a SWT team. She had foetal extremities protruding from the vaginal opening. The Tsavo Mobile Veterinary Unit was informed and responded.
Immobilisation, examination and treatment
The giraffe was successfully darted from the vehicle and immobilized with a combination of 15 mg Etorphine hydrochloride and 60 mg Azaperone. The drugs took effect 8 minutes later
Examination revealed necrotizing foetal extremities. The foetus was in posterior presentation, extended posture and in dorsal position. Dystocia was suspected to be due to secondary uterine inertia. The vaginal opening was liberally lubricated using liquid paraffin and manipulative delivery with traction was successfully applied to deliver the already dead foetus. Antibiotic pessaries were then introduced into the uterus. Additionally, the giraffe was given anti-inflammatories and antibiotics parenterally. Anaesthesia was reversed with 200 mg Naltrexone given intravenously via the jugular vein. The giraffe stood and walked away 3 minutes later.
Prognosis
The giraffe has a good prognosis
Elephant
Natural Causes
Ziwani Area, Tsavo West National Park
This injured adult elephant bull had been treated by the veterinary team and further monitoring by SWT/KWS and Tsavo trust teams in the area recommended given the animal’s guarded prognosis. Unfortunately, the elephant’s condition had continued to deteriorate.
Immobilisation, examination and treatment
The elephant bull was approached on foot and successfully immobilized with 20mg Etorphine hydrochloride delivered in a 3cc Dan-inject dart. It took 7 minutes for the drug to take full effect. Examination revealed the bull’s wound was beginning to heal. However, the animal’s condition was worsening given that it was becoming increasingly difficult for him to move. The team suspected the elephant had a fracture which meant that he had a grave prognosis. He was therefore put to rest on animal welfare grounds to alleviate further pain and further.
Post-mortem findings
A post-mortem examination was performed immediately after euthanasia was effected. A closed, complete, oblique fracture of the femur at the distal one third was observed.
Case
Elephant Spear Voi, Tsavo East National Park
SWT/KWS rangers on patrol in the Sentrim Hotel area noted an adult elephant bull at the mud bath with a wound in the left flank area.
Immobilisation, examination and treatment
The elephant bull was immobilized with 20mg Etorphine hydrochloride delivered in a 3cc Dan inject dart. It took 9 minutes for the drug to take effect.
Examination revealed a deep wound on the left lateral surface at the base of the trunk that was suspected to be a spear wound. Additionally, there was another wound in the left flank area. Both wounds were thoroughly cleaned with water, flushed with Hydrogen peroxide, rinsed with water, infused with tincture of Iodine and topical antibiotic spray applied. Amoxicillin antibiotics and Flunixin meglumine antiinflammatories were administered parenterally before anaesthesia was reversed with 250mg Naltrexone hydrochloride given intravenously via a prominent ear vein.
Prognosis
The elephant has a good prognosis.
Case 7 – 15th July 2024
This adult buffalo cow was spotted by the Galana Kulalu SWT/KWS De-snaring Unit, she had a swollen mandible that was suspected to have been caused by a snare injury.
Immobilisation, examination and treatment
The cow was darted from a helicopter and immobilized with a combination of 7mg Etorphine and 60mg Azaperone delivered in a 3cc Dan inject dart. It took 7 minutes for full anaesthesia to be achieved.
Examination revealed that part of the wire snare was embedded in the mandible with the rest of the snare having already broken off. The rostral area of the mandible was swollen due to tissue granulation. The wire snare was removed then the wound was cleaned with water, flushed with Hydrogen peroxide, rinsed with water and infused with tincture of Iodine. Topical antibiotic spray was then applied onto the wound. The cow was also given Amoxicillin antibiotics and Flunixin anti-inflammatory drugs parenterally Anaesthesia was successfully reversed with 150mg Naltrexone hydrochloride given intravenously via the jugular vein.
Prognosis
The buffalo cow has a good prognosis.
Buffalo Snared
Kulalu Ranch
Case 8 – 16th July 2024
Lion HWC
Kajiado County
This problematic adult lioness was reported to KWS management for livestock depredation. KWS management in consultation with the SWT/KWS Tsavo Mobile Veterinary Unit and Lion Guardians decided to translocate the lioness to Tsavo East National Park to mitigate further human-wildlife conflict.
Immobilisation, examination and relocation
This lioness was successfully immobilized with 5.8mg Medetomidine combined with 200mg Ketamine delivered remotely in a 3cc Dan-inject dart. The animal was darted from a vehicle, and it took 10 minutes for full anaesthesia to be achieved.
Examination revealed the lioness had a wound on the medial surface of the right thigh. The wound was thoroughly cleaned, disinfected, and a topical antibiotic applied. The lioness was then carefully moved to a padded, secure translocation cage on the translocation vehicle. The team swiftly translocated the lioness successfully and released her in the Aruba Area of Tsavo east National Park.
The veterinary team recommended monitoring to ensure adequate healing of the wound and confirmation of acclimatization to the area.
Case 9 – 18th July 2024
Elephant Poaching Post-mortem
Kilibasi Area
The KWS investigation team reported the discovery of an elephant carcass within Kilibasi Area on 18/07/24. As requested, the veterinary unit performed an autopsy to determine cause of death on the same day
General post-mortem findings
The adult elephant bull carcass was found lying in right lateral recumbency with a high degree of autolysis. The animal appeared to have been in good body condition prior to death. The carcass was estimated to be of a 40 – 45-year-old male elephant, and it had been concealed with tree twigs. The carcass was autolysed, decomposing and infested by maggots which indicated that it was approx. 4-5 days old. No signs of struggle before death were observed at the scene. The carcass appeared to have been interfered with and had indications of human involvement. Both tusks were missing, and the entire rostral area of the carcass had been crudely hacked out while retrieving the tusks. Parts of the ventral abdomen and chest had been ripped off by scavengers
Cause of death
Due to the degree of autolysis and scavenging, the cause of death could not be conclusively determined. The crude hacking of the tusks and an attempt to conceal the carcass using twigs indicates a high likelihood of human involvement in the death of this elephant.
Case
Natural Causes
Mgeno Ranch
This injured adult elephant bull was spotted at Teita Sisal Ranch by Hildana lodge staff. He had several wounds on the neck and on the trunk.
Immobilisation, examination and treatment
The bull was successfully anesthetized with 20mg Etorphine hydrochloride delivered in a 3cc Dan-inject dart. He was darted from the vehicle, and it took 7 minutes for the drug to take full effect.
Examination revealed a deep wound on the left side of the neck and other smaller wounds closer to the same area with another one on the trunk. The wounds were suspected to be fight wounds. All the wounds were cleaned and debrided, flushed with Hydrogen peroxide, rinsed with water, infused with tincture of Iodine and antibiotic spray applied. The deep wound was also packed with antibiotic pessaries and green clay. The bull was additionally given Amoxicillin antibiotics and Flunixin anti-inflammatory drugs parenterally. Anaesthesia was reversed with Naltrexone hydrochloride given intravenously via a prominent ear vein.
Prognosis
The elephant bull has a good prognosis.
Elephant Natural Causes
Finch Hatton’s, Tsavo West National Park
This adult elephant bull was spotted close to Finch Hatton’s lodge. He had a wound on his left forelimb.
Immobilisation, examination and treatment
The elephant bull was darted from a helicopter and immobilized with 18mg Etorphine hydrochloride delivered remotely via a 3cc Dan inject dart. It took 8 minutes for full anaesthesia to be achieved.
Examination revealed a perforating wound on his left forelimb just above the radio carpal joint. This wound was suspected to have been inflicted by the tusk of a rival elephant during a fight. One wound opening had formed excessive granulation tissue and had pus. Both wounds were thoroughly cleaned, debrided and flushed with Hydrogen peroxide, they were then infused with tincture of Iodine and packed with antibiotic pessaries and green clay. Topical antibiotic spray was applied on both wounds. Antibiotics and antiinflammatory drugs were also administered parenterally before anaesthesia was reversed with 200mg Naltrexone hydrochloride given intravenously via a prominent ear vein.
Prognosis
The elephant bull has a fair prognosis, his recovery will be monitored.
