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