SWT/KWS AMBOSELI MOBILE VETERINARY UNIT
MARCH 2023
Introduction
17 Cases in March
March Report by Dr. Kariuki Edward
1 Lion Case
10 Elephant Cases
March 2023 marked the transition from the prolonged drought experienced in the Southern Conservation Area. Heavy downpours were received in the last week of the month. The upper section of Amboseli National Park and the adjacent community areas were flooded, these areas became the nucleus for grass and other vegetation regeneration. Bushmeat poaching cases involving snared zebras and giraffes dominated veterinary interventions along with human-wildlife conflict cases involving speared elephants However, there were no ivory poaching cases reported. The Amboseli Mobile Veterinary Unit attended to 17 Cases in March. These comprised 10 elephant cases, 1 lion case, 1 buffalo case, 2 zebra cases and 3 giraffe cases.
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, 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
SWT/KWS Amboseli Mobile Vet Unit Treatment Locations
March 2023
Elephant Natural Causes Chyulu Hills National Park
Big Life Ranger informed the Amboseli Mobile Veterinary Unit of a wounded elephant bull. Based on the nature of the wound and its position on the animal’s body, the injury was thought to have been inflicted by another male during a fight.
Immobilisation, examination and treatment
The elephant was darted from a helicopter with 18 mg Etorphine. It was herded out of the thick bush to an open area where treatment was carried out. Shallow wounds were observed on the gluteus, pus was oozing the wounds onto the tail and the area around the wound. The wounds were debrided with Hydrogen peroxide and disinfected with Iodine. 100 ml Amoxicillin and Dexamethasone were administered to control secondary bacterial infection and assist in wound healing. Oxytetracycline spray was applied on the wounds then anaesthesia was reversed with Naltrexone. The elephant stood a short while later and joined other elephants in the area
Prognosis
The elephant bull has a good prognosis.
Elephant Post-mortem Kimana Sanctuary
An adult male elephant (approx. 15 years old) was reported dead. The animal had no external injuries.
Post-mortem findings
The carcass was found bloated and lying in the right lateral position. The carcass was in advanced autolysis and bacterial activity was evident in all internal soft tissues. Gas had built up and the carcass was bloated. Tusks were absent since they had been retrieved for safe custody Fluids were exudated and flowed on the ground. The internal organs were decomposed, and fluids flowed out in vast amounts from the carcass. The anal part was extensively bulged out, but it had no discharges.
Cause of death
The elephant most likely died from natural causes
Elephant Post-mortem Amboseli National Park
KWS rangers on patrol reported finding an adult female elephant carcass in open grassland.
Post-mortem findings
The carcass was found on right lateral recumbency, it had been scavenged upon. The skin had been ripped open and the intestines were splayed on the ground. The intestines had been destroyed and no pathological lesions could be observed. The intestines and stomach were full of bots and worms
Cause of death
The elephant most likely died from anaemia and starvation
Buffalo Natural Causes Lake Jipe, Tsavo West National Park
The Amboseli Mobile Veterinary Unit was informed about a buffalo with dystocia by the SWT Kaluku Office
Examination and treatment
The buffalo was found recumbent, chemical immobilization was therefore not necessary The animal was physically restrained. The placenta was retrieved by disconnecting the placenta and the uterine cotyledons. The uterus was prolapsed and necrotic. Upon removal of the placenta, it was observed that most parts were punctured due to advanced tissue necrosis.
Prognosis
Given the buffalo’s grave prognosis, it was euthanized to alleviate further pain and suffering.
Elephant Spear Nkii, Kuku Group Ranch
Big Life Foundation (BLF) rangers reported a lame adult female elephant, the cow was separated from the main herd and had puss-oozing wounds on the right hindlimb and left forelimb.
Immobilisation, examination and treatment
Due to the hilly, rocky and bushy terrain, the elephant was followed on foot and darted with 20 mg Etorphine. The elephant cow had deep penetrating wounds on the left front limb and the right hindlimb. 15 mg Amoxicillin and Dexamethasone were administered to assist in wound healing. The wounds were cleaned with Hydrogen peroxide and Iodine then they were sprayed with Oxytetracycline wound spray. The elephant was revived with Naltrexone, it stood a short while later and walked away.
Prognosis
The elephant cow has a good prognosis.
Zebra Snared Taita Hills Wildlife Sanctuary
The Sanctuary manager (Dr Ngatia) reported an adult male zebra with a wire snare around the neck.
Immobilisation, examination and treatment
The zebra was darted from a vehicle with 4 mg Etorphine and 70 mg Azaperone. Upon close examination, it was found that the snare had not inflicted any injuries. The wire snare was removed then anaesthesia was reversed. No anti-biotics were administered.
Prognosis
The zebra has a good prognosis.
Giraffe Spear Kuku Group Ranch
KWS rangers at Loitoktok reported a speared giraffe at KuKu Group Ranch. The same ranger team located the giraffe for treatment.
Examination
Physical examination; the giraffe had severe injuries arising from an indwelling spear, unfortunately, the giraffe died before the vet arrived for treatment.
It is likely that the spear had been there for a longer time and was directly associated with the animal's death. Unfortunately, there are no pictures available for this case
Elephant Spear Samai, Kuku Group Ranch
The Warden, Masai Wilderness Conservation Trust reported a lame adult female elephant. The elephant cow was separated from the main herd and had a pus-oozing wound on the left forelimb.
Immobilisation, examination and treatment
The elephant was found in a bushy area that was inaccessible by vehicle. It was tracked on foot and darted with 15 mg Etorphine. The animal had a deep penetrating wound on the left front limb. It seemed likely that the elephant was speared in the community area or while it was in a farm. Antibiotics and antiinflammatories were administered accordingly. The wound was cleaned with Hydrogen peroxide and disinfected with Iodine before being sprayed with Oxytetracycline. The elephant was revived with Naltrexone, it rose and walked away.
Prognosis
The elephant cow has a good prognosis.
Elephant Natural Causes Amboseli National Park
The Big Life Foundation (BLF) Radio office reported that Craig, an elephant bull, had an injury on his left hindlimb.
Examination
Craig had wandered away from the main elephant herd and was found quenching his thirst at the KWS HQs water hole. He was examined from a distance and a small wound on the left hindlimb was observed According to the Vet, the wound was minor, and veterinary intervention was not deemed necessary.
Prognosis
Craig has a good prognosis, and the wound is expected to heal fully without veterinary intervention.
Giraffe Snared Nasaru Conservancy
The KWS Warden, Problem Animal Management Unit (PAMU) in Kiboko reported an adult male giraffe with a long wire snare around the neck. The Amboseli Mobile Veterinary Unit, with assistance from SWT and Nasaru Conservancy rangers, located the giraffe.
Immobilisation, examination and treatment
The animal was successfully darted from a vehicle with 14 mg Etorphine and 50 mg Azaperone. Upon physical examination, the snare was found to have wounded the giraffe’s neck. The wire snare was removed then the wound was cleaned with Hydrogen peroxide, disinfected with Iodine and sprayed with Oxytetracycline wound spray. Antibiotics and anti-inflammatories were administered accordingly, and anaesthesia was successfully reversed.
Prognosis
The giraffe has a good prognosis.
