SWT/KWS AMBOSELI MOBILE VETERINARY UNIT
AUGUST 2024
2 Cases in August 2 HWC Cases 1 Elephant Case
August Report by Dr.
Kariuki Edward
The Southern Conservation area in August 2024 experienced warm and hot weather. Two cases of veterinary concern were attended during the month.
The two cases included the treatment of a lame elephant bull and the postmortem examination of two zebras. The elephant likely suffered from human-wildlife conflict and had a suspected spear injury. The two dead zebras had traumatic injuries and were likely hit by a speeding vehicle. The vet team resumed during the month after annual leave and hence were few cases reported.
Acknowledgement
We thank Sheldrick Wildlife Trust (SWT) for material support and Mobile Unit funding. KWS Staff and rangers at Amboseli, Chyulu, Kajiado PAC team, BLF, scientists at Amboseli Elephant Trust and others not mentioned but supported the monitoring of distressed wildlife in areas of interest are highly acknowledged and appreciated.
Case Details
17-Aug-24
17-Aug-24
Mbirikani, Tsavo
Mbirikani, Tsavo
The bull had a wound on the medial side of the left forelimb likely caused by a spear due to human-wildlife conflict Successfully Treated
Two zebras killed on a roadside. Cause of death was trauma likely inflicted by a speeding vehicle HWC Death
SWT/KWS AMBOSELI Mobile Vet Unit Treatment Locations
August 2024
Human-Wildlife Conflict
Mbirikani, Tsavo
Biglife Foundation Rangers reported an injured elephant bull to AMVU. The vet team travelled to the site using a vehicle and attended to the wounded elephant bull in the early afternoon of 17th August 2024.
Immobilisation, examination and treatment
The elephant presented an injury on the left forelimb. The veterinary vehicle helped in darting the elephant and controlling it from drifting away into the bush. The elephant was successfully immobilised in 10 minutes using 20mg of Etorphine HCl.
The bull had a wound on the medial side of the left forelimb. The wound, which was oozing pus, was treated using Hydrogen peroxide and Iodine solution. The drug combination helped debride dead tissue and cover for secondary infections. Amoxicillin injection and Oxytetracycline topical spray were applied to cover for bacterial infection. It is likely the elephant was speared during a human-wildlife conflict incident.
Prognosis
The bull was revived using Naltrexone and favourably woke up after the drug administration. Prognosis is good.
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