SWT/KWS AMBOSELI MOBILE VETERINARY UNIT JULY 2023
Introduction
9 Cases in July
4 Poaching Cases
5 Elephant Cases
July Report by Dr. Kariuki Edward The Southern Conservation Area experienced slightly warm weather in July 2023 and there was plenty of forage for wildlife. However, human – wildlife conflict cases dominated the veterinary interventions in July. The Amboseli Veterinary Unit attended to 9 cases in total. These included 5 elephant cases, 1 lion case, 1 baboon case, 1 civet case and 1 honey badger case. Acknowledgement The Amboseli Mobile Veterinary Unit greatly appreciates the support and funding it has received from the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust. The team also appreciates all the staff and rangers from Kenya Wildlife Service and other organizations who participated in the veterinary interventions. Additionally, the team thanks everyone else who supported the reporting and monitoring of distressed wildlife in areas interest.
Case Details Date
Species
Area Found
Reason for Intervention
01-Jul 23
Elephant
Amboseli N.P.
Collared
03-Jul 23 to 23- Jul 23
Baboon
Kitirua Conservancy
Collared
05-Jul 23
Elephant
Tsavo West N.P.
Spear
Adult elephant bull with a deep penetrating wound on the right forelimb
Successfully treated
10-Jul 23
Elephant
Satao Elerai Conservancy
Spear
Adult elephant bull with a deep penetrating wound on the neck region
Successfully treated
11-Jul 23
Elephant
Ithumba
Arrow
Injured wild adult elephant bull that walked into the SWT Ithumba stockades
Successfully treated
13-Jul 23
Lion
Chyulu Hills Area
HWC
Autopsy on an adult male lion suspected to have died from poisoning
HWC Death
13-Jul 23
Civet Cat
Amboseli N.P.
Postmortem
Critically ill adult male civet that died before treatment could be administered
Died. Anaemia
14-Jul 23
Elephant
Ngutuni Lodge
Snared
Lame adult elephant cow with a wound on the left hindlimb
Successfully treated
24-Jul 23
Honey Badger
Namanga
HWC
Assessment of reported attacks by honey badgers on an apiary in Somare Farm
Task successful
Collaring a sub-adult male elephant named Esposito for behavioural studies by the Amboseli Trust for Elephants Sample collection and collar replacement for a long-term study on the Amboseli baboons by the Baboon Trust
Outcome Task successful Task successful
SWT/KWS Amboseli Mobile Vet Unit Treatment Locations July 2023
Case 1 – 01st July 2023 Elephant
Collared
Amboseli National Park
The Amboseli Mobile Veterinary Unit in collaboration with Amboseli Trust for Elephants (ATE) and Amboseli National Park management collared a sub-adult male elephant named Esposito for behavioural studies. Immobilisation and collaring The young bull was first collared in 2019 but lost his collar in April 2023. He was seen again in Amboseli in July 2023 and arrangements were made to have him recollared. The veterinary team darted Esposito from a vehicle and immobilized him with 18 mg Etorphine. He was collared successfully then anaesthesia was reversed.
Case 2 – 03rd July 2023 to 26th July 2023 Baboon
Collared
Kitirua Conservancy
The Baboon Trust has undertaken over 50 years of research on the baboons in Amboseli. The Trust monitors approximately 400 baboons in the Amboseli Ecosystem using both GPS and VHF collars. In July 2023, the Amboseli Mobile Veterinary Unit and Baboon Trust researchers with authority from KWS and Wildlife Research and Training Institute (WRTI) captured 19 baboons for routine sample collection and collar replacement. Immobilisation and collaring The baboons were darted with 1ml/25mg of Telazol® (Tiletamine and Zoalezipam). Samples were collected from the 19 adult baboons (9 males, and 10 females). Data including body mass, long bone measurements, tooth casts, hair samples, and blood samples for genetics were collected. 7 baboons were collared. 5 VHF collars were fitted on 4 females and 1 male while 2 GPS collars were fitted on 1 male and 1 female. The Immobilized baboons presented with good body condition, a temperature average of 35.8 degrees, and weighed between 8 kg-28 kg. The dental formulae and examined lymph nodes were normal in size with a few having slightly enlarged lymph nodes. Enlarged lymph nodes were attributed to females on active menstrual periods or males with minor wounds/injuries. A few males also had broken teeth. The above conditions confirmed their fitness collaring. Blood, skin, and hair samples were collected for further analysis. Cardiac monitoring devices were fitted on 9 female baboons. A few baboons had ectoparasites (i.e., ticks, fleas, and mites). Interestingly, 4 baboons were infested with red mites (Trombiculae sp.) behind the ear pina.
Case 3 – 05th July 2023 Elephant
Spear
Murka, Tsavo West National Park
While on patrol, KWS rangers spotted a lame adult elephant bull. The elephant bull was a distance away from the main herd, and he was walking with difficulty. Immobilisation, examination and treatment The elephant bull was darted from a vehicle with 20 mg Etorphine. He had a deep penetrating wound on the right forelimb. An incision was made on the pus-filled wound to facilitate drainage. The wound was then debrided with Hydrogen peroxide and disinfected with Iodine before it was sprayed with Oxytetracycline. 100 ml Amoxicillin was administered then anaesthesia was reversed with Naltrexone. He stood a few minutes later and walked away. Prognosis The elephant bull has a good prognosis.
Case 4 – 10th July 2023 Elephant
Spear
Satao Elerai Conservancy
Big Life Foundation rangers reported an injured adult elephant bull in Satao Elerai Conservancy. The elephant bull was found alongside 3 bulls, but it moved away from the trio when the veterinary team approached. The injured bull had a pus-oozing wound on the neck. Immobilisation, examination and treatment The injured bull was darted from a vehicle and immobilized with 20 mg Etorphine. The animal had a deep penetrating wound on the neck that resulted in pus oozing down its tusks. The wound was debrided with Hydrogen peroxide, disinfected with Iodine, and sprayed with an anti-biotic wound spray. 100 mg Amoxicillin was also administered before anaesthesia was reversed with Naltrexone. The elephant woke up a short while later and walked away. Prognosis The elephant bull has a good prognosis.
Case 5 – 11th July 2023 Elephant
Arrow
Ithumba, Tsavo East N.P.
An injured wild adult elephant bull was reported to have walked into the SWT Ithumba stockades with exorphan elephants. The wild bull had a wound on the medial part of his left forelimb. Immobilisation, examination and treatment The elephant bull was darted from a vehicle and immobilized with 18 mg Etorphine. He had a deep penetrating wound on the left forelimb. The wound was debrided with Hydrogen peroxide, disinfected with Iodine, and sprayed with Oxytetracycline. 100 mg Amoxicillin was administered before anaesthesia was reversed with Naltrexone. The elephant bull stood a few minutes later and walked away. Prognosis The elephant bull has a good prognosis.
Case 6 – 13th July 2023 Lion
Human-Wildlife Conflict
Chyulu Hills Area
A KWS – PAMU (Problem Animal Management Unit) team reported a case involving a dead adult male lion that was suspected to have been poisoned as per the information received from the local community. General Post-mortem findings The lion carcass was found lying under an acacia bush near a seasonal river. The lion appeared to have been in good body condition before death. However, the carcass had been consumed by scavengers and was decomposed. Specific Post-mortem findings The carcass had been opened and consumed by scavengers. Most of the internal organs had been consumed and were missing, but the head remained intact. The remaining parts of the internal organs were too severely damaged for examination. Cause of death It is suspected that the lion died from poisoning.
Unfortunately, there are no pictures for this case.
Case 7 – 13th July 2023 Civet
Post-mortem
Amboseli National Park
Oltukai Hotel management informed the Amboseli Mobile Veterinary Unit about a civet that appeared to be critically ill. Unfortunately, when the animal was received it had passed on. Post-mortem findings The civet cat was heavily infested with external parasites. A few ticks were seen on the carcass. However, lice heavily covered the animal’s fur. Severe lice infestation was seen on the ears and body crevices. Cause of death The civet cat died from anaemia.
Case 8 – 14th July 2023 Elephant
Snared
Ngutuni Lodge
A SWT-KWS De-snaring Unit spotted a lame adult female elephant near Ngutuni Lodge. The elephant cow had a wound on the left hindlimb and could barely move. Immobilisation, examination and treatment The injured elephant was darted from a vehicle and immobilized with 20 mg Etorphine. The animal had a deep wound inflicted by a cable wire snare on the left hindlimb. The snare was cut off then the wound was debrided with Hydrogen peroxide, disinfected with Iodine, and sprayed with Oxytetracycline. 100 mg Amoxicillin was administered before anaesthesia was reversed with Naltrexone. The elephant cow stood a few minutes later and walked away. Prognosis The elephant cow has a good prognosis.
Case 9 – 24th July 2023 Honey Badger
Human-Wildlife Conflict
Somare Farm, Namanga
Mr. Somare reported that honey badgers had attacked his apiary. Key Findings The honey badgers had made their way into the apiary by dislodging concrete and prying open the wire mesh and iron sheets securing the structure. The hives had been broken into and honeycombs removed. Conclusion A method to capture the badgers will be devised after further assessing the honey badger ecology on the farm.