SWT/KWS AMBOSELI MOBILE VETERINARY UNIT
FEBRUARY 2024
Introduction
5 Cases in February
February
Report by Dr. Kariuki Edward
1 Poaching Case
1 Elephant Case
In February 2024, the Southern Conservation Area experienced warm and hot weather. The SWT/KWS Amboseli Mobile Veterinary Unit attended to 5 Cases.
The veterinary team attended to a snared elephant bull in Elerai, Kiboko Area; replaced an old collar on an adult female lioness in Eselenkei Group Ranch; advised on the rescue of a wildebeest calf at Little Amanya Camp; performed autopsies on an adult male eland carcass in Mairua, Kajiado County; and an adult Masai giraffe trapped in an electric fence in Olkaria - Ngama, Kajiado County.
Acknowledgement
The Amboseli Mobile Veterinary Unit greatly appreciates the support and funding it continues to receive from the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust. The team also appreciates all the staff and rangers from Kenya Wildlife Service, Big Life Foundation, scientists from Amboseli Trust for Elephants, Little Amanya Camp, and everyone else who supported the monitoring of distressed wildlife in areas of interest.
Case Details
Date Species Area Found Reason for Intervention Outcome 06-Feb 24 Eland Mairua, Kajiado Postmortem Autopsy on the carcass of an adult male eland Died. Fight wounds 23-Feb 24 Lion Eselenkei Ranch Technical Case Replacement of an old collar on an adult lioness Task successful 27-Feb 24 Elephant Elerai, Kiboko Area Snared Lame adult elephant bull with a snare on the right front limb Successfully treated 29-Feb 24 Giraffe OlkariaNgama HWC Adult male Masai giraffe trapped in an electric fence HWC Death 29-Feb 24 Wildebeest Amanya Camp Rescue Examination of an abandoned male wildebeest calf Taken to Orphanage
SWT/KWS Amboseli Mobile Vet Unit Treatment Locations
February 2024
Eland Post-mortem
Mairua, Kajiado County
The SWT/KWS Amboseli Mobile Veterinary Unit was informed about multiple eland deaths by field rangers from SORALO and BLF. The veterinary team visited the area for a mortality investigation and postmortem examination. However, when the team arrived, only a single carcass was available for examination and no other carcasses could be found in the area. Upon further detailed discussion with SORALO and BLF teams in the field, the reports of several eland deaths could not be authenticated.
Post-mortem findings
The male eland carcass was found lying in left lateral recumbency. It had deep-sited sternal wound. The wound was old and approximately not less than 3 months. Based on the location of the wound, it most likely resulted from a possible territorial fight with other males. The dental formula was incomplete, and the teeth that were present were eroded which indicated advanced age.
Cause of death
The eland died from complications related to the sternal wound.
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Case 1 – 06
February 2024
Case 2 – 23
February 2024
Lion Technical Case Eselenkei Group Ranch
The Amboseli Mobile Veterinary Unit was tasked with replacing an old collar on an adult lioness that was notorious for livestock predation.
The team had successfully treated the lioness for poisoning at an earlier date The new GPS collar was meant to enhance monitoring the lioness and the entire pride which would help to mitigate conflict with livestock keepers.
Immobilisation and collaring
The lioness was darted from a vehicle with a cocktail of 300mg Ketamine and 6mg Medetomidine. Full immobilization was attained in about 12 minutes. The old collar was removed and replaced with a new GPS collar for long-term monitoring.
Prognosis
Anaesthesia was successfully reversed; the lioness has a good prognosis.
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Case 3 – 26th February 2024
Elephant Snared Elerai, Kiboko
KWS PAMU based at Kiboko reported the sighting of a lame adult elephant bull.
Immobilisation, examination and treatment
The elephant was found alone possibly since it was unable to keep up with its herd due to pain and lameness. The injured animal was darted from a helicopter and immobilized with 20 mg Etorphine HCl. The helicopter then assisted in preventing the elephant from moving into the bush. Full immobilization was attained 10 minutes post-darting.
A severe wound inflicted by a deeply embedded snare on the left front limb was observed. The wound oozed pus and blood due to the deep injury. The snare was cut loose with wire cutters then the pus-filled wound was drained and irrigated with Hydrogen peroxide and Iodine solution. An Amoxicillin injection was administered intramuscularly, and Oxytetracycline spray applied topically to cover for bacterial infection. The bull was revived with Naltrexone and woke up after drug administration.
Prognosis
The elephant bull has a good prognosis.
KWS Officers based at Loitokitok and the Amboseli Mobile Veterinary Unit were called upon to attend to an adult male Masai giraffe that had been caught in an electric fence. Both teams rushed to the site to rescue the animal. Sadly, the giraffe was found dead when the teams arrived.
Post-mortem findings
The adult male giraffe carcass was found caught in the electric fence. The giraffe had been electrocuted and it had suffered traumatic injuries as it struggled to set itself free.
Cause of death
The giraffe died from electrocution and traumatic injuries after being caught in an electric fence.
Case 4 – 29th
February 2024
Giraffe Human – Wildlife Conflict
Olkaria, Ngama – Kajiado County
Wildebeest Rescue
Little Amanya Camp
The management of the Little Amanya Camp reported an abandoned male wildebeest calf to Amboseli Mobile Veterinary Unit. The vet team visited the camp to examine the calf and advise on its rescue.
Immobilization and examination
No chemical immobilization was used. The little wildebeest calf was manually restrained. The calf was wellrehydrated but young. The calf had been fed with milk for some time while in the camp. The calf was used to human care and most likely could not go back to the wild. The little calf was taken to the KWS Nairobi Orphanage.
Prognosis
The calf has a good prognosis.
Case 5 – 29th February 2024