SWT/KWS AMBOSELI MOBILE VETERINARY UNIT
DECEMBER 2022
Introduction
4 Cases in December 2 Poaching Cases 2 Giraffe Cases
December Report by Dr. Kariuki Edward
The Amboseli ecosystem experienced a dry and hot period during December. Rains received in the third week of November were unevenly distributed and there was barely any in December.
Little vegetation existed but most areas received floods as a result of rain at the Kilimanjaro slopes. As a result, elephants and other wildlife moved out to the areas that rained and had plentiful vegetation. Meanwhile, animals in the park were few and tried to survive on the swamp remains since feed was scarce. SCA-Amboseli Mobile Veterinary Unit (SCA-AMVU) attended four cases comprising 10 giraffes that were tagged for control of poaching, a giraffe treated for a suspected old snare wound, a wildebeest rescued from a pit, and a speared female elephant treated at the Park.
Acknowledgement
We thank Sheldrick Wildlife Trust (SWT) for material support and Mobile Unit funding. Staff and Rangers at Kitenden, Kuku, KWS Nguruman, BLF Eselenkei, and Amboseli Elephant Research are acknowledged for their support and company during the veterinary interventions. Anyone that may have not been mentioned but supported the monitoring of distressed wildlife in areas of interest is highly acknowledged and appreciated.
Case Details
The wildebeest presented with exhaustion and horn injury after following in a pit. Most likely human presence led to her selfinflicted injury
The KWS management decided to tag 10 giraffes in Machakos County for control of poaching and road kills along the busy Mombasa Highway
The elephant had two spear wounds on the right rear
Date Species Area Found Reason for Intervention Outcome 6-Dec-22 Antelope Machakos HWC
Successfully Treated 11-Dec22 Giraffe Athi River Technical Case
Task Successful 11-Dec22 Elephant Amboseli Environs Spear
Successfully Treated 14-Dec22 Giraffe Chyulu Hills Snared Snare
rear leg Successfully Treated
limb
to the left
SWT/KWS Amboseli Mobile Vet Unit Treatment Locations
December 2022
Wildebeest Human-Wildlife Conflict/Rescue Machakos
Machakos PAC team reported the wildebeest to AMVU. The wildebeest had fallen into a pit and presented with exhaustion and horn injury after prolonged time in the pit. Most likely human presence led to her selfinflicted injury to the horn.
Immobilisation, examination and treatment
The wildebeest was immobilized using 6mg Etorphine and 70mg Azaperone then extracted from the pit.
Oxytetracycline antibiotic (20ml) and 10ml Dexamethasone were administered intramuscularly.
The wildebeest woke up and walked away a minute following the administration of the reversal drug (Diprenorphine).
Prognosis
The Wildebeest should make a full recovery.
Case 1 – 6th December 2022
Giraffe Technical Case Athi River
The KWS management decided to tag 10 giraffes in Machakos County for control of poaching and road kills along the busy Mombasa Highway.
Immobilisation, tagging and prophylactic treatment
Ten giraffes were darted from a vehicle using 12-14mg Etorphine HCL and 40-60mg Azaperone. Individual doses were calculated dependent on the giraffe's live weight. All giraffes attained good anaesthesia and revival following the antidote administration.
The giraffe's tail was spread to determine the dorsal part of the tail and the tags were fixed. All tags were fixed using two nuts. All tagged giraffes were treated using 60ml Amoxicillin (Betamox®) to cover for secondary bacterial infection. Additionally, Oxytetracycline wound spray was applied to the areas of tissue sampling, and dart area.
Prognosis
A total of 5 female and 5 male giraffes were tagged successfully.
Case 2 – 11th – 14th December 2022
Elephant Spear Kitirua, Amboseli
BLF rangers on patrol reported a wounded elephant to AMVU. The elephant was initially wounded at Kasala but moved to Eselenkei and later to Amboseli National Park. The elephant moved for a long distance before treatment due to the intense pressure and following conducted by BLF rangers. The vet team used a vehicle to trace, dart, and in treatment of the elephant.
Immobilisation, examination and treatment
The elephant was darted using 20mg Etorphine for immobilization.
The elephant had two spear wounds on the right rear limb.
Antibiotics and Dexamethasone were administered to assist in wound healing. The elephant was revived and favourably moved to a nearby grassland to join other elephants.
Prognosis
The elephant should make a full recovery.
Case 3 – 11th December 2022
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Giraffe Snared Chyulu Hills
BLF management reported a giraffe that had a snare wire around the left rear limb. AMVU successfully attended the giraffe for treatment on the same day.
Immobilisation, examination and treatment
The adult giraffe was immobilized using a cocktail of 50mg Azaperone and 14mg Etorphine administered through the intramuscular route. The giraffe responded well after darting and attained complete immobilization in 15 minutes. The giraffe maintained stable anaesthesia during the treatment procedure.
The giraffe suffered a wound on the left rear leg. The wound was cleaned using Hydrogen peroxide and Iodine infusion. Amoxicillin (40ml) was administered intramuscularly and covered for systemic bacterial infection while intravenous diprenorphine helped revive the giraffe.
Prognosis
Prognosis is good.
Case 4 – 14th December 2022
