SWT/KWS AMBOSELI MOBILE VETERINARY UNIT

FEBRUARY 2023

Introduction

15 Cases in February 5 Poaching Cases

February Report by Dr. Kariuki Edward

8 Elephant Cases

A considerable number of veterinary interventions in the Southern Conservation Area in February 2023 were related to human-wildlife conflict. Dry conditions were experienced in the Amboseli ecosystem in February, and the little vegetation that existed was mostly found in areas receiving water from the underground springs emanating from Mount Kilimanjaro. As a result, elephants and other wildlife moved out of the park into areas that had received some rain and had plenty of vegetation. Intense interaction, movement and competition for resources led to conflicts between people and animals. The Unit attended 15 cases in total, 8 of these cases involved elephants while 5 of these cases involved snared giraffes and zebra.

Acknowledgement

We thank the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust (SWT) for funding the Amboseli Mobile Veterinary Unit. We also wish to thank staff and rangers from Kitenden, Kuku, KWS Nguruman, BLF Eselenkei, Lion Guardians and Amboseli Elephant Research for their assistance during veterinary interventions. Additionally, anyone who may not have been mentioned but supported the monitoring of distressed wildlife is greatly appreciated.

Case Details

bull found dead on 23rd February 2023 in Ormaroroi village, Mashuru Kajiado.

February 2023

Elephant Human – Wildlife Conflict Kimana Sanctuary

Big Life Foundation (BLF) rangers reported a lame elephant bull that had moved into Kimana Sanctuary after being speared while in the community area in Kuku Group Ranch.

Immobilisation, examination and treatment

The elephant was immobilized with 18 mg Etorphine.

It had 2 deep penetrating wounds on the left side of the body. The first injury was at the level of the first left rib while the second injury was at the hip joint. The wound located at the hip joint most likely caused its lameness. 100 ml Amoxicillin and Dexamethasone were administered then the wound was debrided with Hydrogen peroxide and Iodine before it was sprayed with Oxytetracycline spray. Anaesthesia was reversed with Naltrexone. The elephant rose and moved to a nearby acacia bush to join other elephants.

Prognosis

The elephant has a guarded prognosis

Elephant Rescue Eselenkei Group Ranch

BLF rangers on patrol in Eselenkei Group Ranch reported an abandoned elephant calf. The calf had been in the area without a parental herd for a period longer than can be regarded as natural.

Rescue

The elephant was darted with 120 mg Azaperone.

The calf was dehydrated, and it looked hungry. It was restrained with ropes, loaded onto a vehicle, and ferried to Mbirikani airstrip. It was later flown to the SWT Nairobi Nursery for care and rehabilitation.

Prognosis

The elephant calf has a fair prognosis.

Giraffe Snared Eselenkei Group Ranch

BLF rangers reported an adult female giraffe with a wire snare around its neck

Immobilisation, examination and treatment

The giraffe was darted from a vehicle with 15 mg Etorphine and 50 mg Azaperone. Anaesthesia was reversed immediately the giraffe was brought down, the giraffe was then physically restrained by pinning its head down.

The wire snare around the giraffe’s neck was tethered to an acacia branch that the animal was dragging around. Snare marks were prominent on the giraffe’s neck indicating that the animal had carried the snare for a long period of time. The snare was removed, and antibiotics administered to cover for secondary bacterial infection.

Prognosis

The giraffe has a good prognosis

Elephant Post-mortem Ololulugui, Kajiado

A sub-adult elephant bull was reported dead on 17th February 2023. The Amboseli Mobile Veterinary Unit carried out a post-mortem to determine the cause of death.

Post-mortem findings

The carcass was bloated and lying in the right lateral position. The carcass was in a state of advanced autolysis. Tusks were present, and the skin was intact on the left lateral body surface.

On turning the carcass over necrotic skin was observed. A jackal was believed to have scavenged part of the left ear. The carrion was estimated to be approximately 2 days old. Clear and blood-tinged fluid flowed out in vast amounts from the buccal cavity. The anal part was extensively bulged out, but it had no discharge. The ground near the carcass showed signs of struggle indicating that the animal was in excruciating pain when it died.

Cause of death

Severe internal pain and shock.

Elephant Human – Wildlife Conflict Samai, Kuku Group Ranch

The KWS warden at Rombo reported a lame female adult elephant that had a pus-oozing wound on the left forelimb.

Immobilisation, examination and treatment

The elephant was found in hilly, rocky and bushy terrain that was inaccessible by vehicle. The animal was tracked on foot and darted with 15 mg Etorphine. The first dart did not discharge its contents, but the second dart was successful in immobilizing the elephant.

A deep penetrating wound was observed on the elephant’s left front limb. The elephant was most likely speared while it was in the community area or in a farm. Amoxicillin and 15 mg Dexamethasone were administered then the wound was debrided with Hydrogen peroxide and Iodine. Oxytetracycline spray was thereafter applied onto the wound before the elephant was revived with Naltrexone. The elephant stood and walked away

Prognosis

The elephant has a good prognosis

Elephant Human-Wildlife Conflict Kimana Sanctuary

The elephant bull treated for spear wounds on 03rd February 2023 was reported to be recumbent and unable to rise on 19th February 2023. The elephant had a poor prognosis, and it was therefore euthanized to alleviate further pain and suffering. A post-mortem examination was carried out thereafter.

Post-mortem findings

The carcass was on right lateral recumbency. The penetrating wounds on the animal were followed by cutting through the skin into the body. The first wound was traced to the last left rib. The last left rib was found to be broken, and the injury penetrated through the left kidney into the peritoneal cavity. An abscess had formed in the left kidney, it is likely that this must have caused excruciating pain leading to recumbency. The second wound run into the hip joint where a significant amount of pus was found. The carcass also had elevated tick and worm infestation possibly due to compromised immunity.

Cause of death

Septicemia due to severe damage to the kidney and hip joint

Lion Natural Causes Amboseli National Park

Lokito, an adult male lion, was reported to be injured. It was suspected that he was injured during a fight with a lioness.

Immobilisation, examination and treatment

Lokito was darted with 260 mg Ketamine hydrochloride and 4 mg Medetomidine.

Wounds were observed on his head, body, legs and face. The left eye looked injured, but it was not punctured. Lokito’s wounds were debrided with Hydrogen peroxide and Iodine then sprayed with Oxytetracycline. 30 ml Amoxicillin and 10 mg Dexamethasone were administered intramuscularly then he was revived with Yohimbine. Lokito woke up, but he did not leave the treatment site until later that night.

Prognosis

Lokito’s wounds are expected to heal completely. However, he is extremely old. He may therefore have other old age-related chronic problems

Elephant Post-mortem Ormaroroi Village, Mashuru - Kajiado

The KWS Senior Warden PAMU at Kiboko reported an elephant bull that was found dead on 23rd February 2023. The elephant carcass was found under a low-lying power line near the Kenya Pipeline Corporation offices at Emali. The bull was the 3rd elephant to have died in the same spot. The remains of 2 elephant carcasses were located approximately 15 meters from the present carcass. The area had bushy vegetation comprising acacia and wild guava, and the powerline in the area was considered low-lying given the normal height of a browsing elephant.

Post-mortem findings

The carcass was relatively flesh, skinned, and eviscerated. The skin had been removed and the trunk had been cut off and was missing. The carcass remains of 2 other elephants that had died in the area were located approximately 15 m away. There were no signs of struggle at the site which indicated probable sudden death. The presence of a low-lying electric cables, and the previous deaths of elephants from electrocution is an important consideration for the current case.

The carcass lacked significant disease pathology. Most organs were missing. The muscle tissue in all bones had been removed, and they were not available for examination. The internal organs namely the liver, kidneys, lungs and heart were not available for examination. The intestinal ingesta had maize remains indicating that the elephant had most likely invaded a farm before its death.

Cause of death

Inconclusive. The skin, muscle, and all internal organs (apart from the intestines) had been harvested and were missing. The absence of the above-mentioned organs hindered a full examination of the body systems. The few available organs were deficient of any pathology that could be used to confirm or rule out a logical cause of death or disease. However, the circumstantial evidence, in this case, is partly important given the suspected electrocution and death of other elephants at the site.

Unfortunately, there are no pictures for this case.

Giraffe Snared Isinet, Mbirikani Group Ranch

BLF rangers reported an adult male giraffe with a wire snare around its neck.

Immobilisation, examination and treatment

The giraffe was successfully darted from a vehicle with 14 mg Etorphine and 50 mg Azaperone. Anaesthesia was immediately reversed once the giraffe was roped down. The animal was then restrained by pinning down its head.

The wire snare around its neck was removed. Fortunately, there weren’t any snare related injuries. Antibiotics were administered to cover for secondary bacterial infections then the giraffe was released

Prognosis

The giraffe has a good prognosis