SWT/KWS AMBOSELI MOBILE VETERINARY UNIT OCTOBER 2023
Introduction
6 Cases in October
1 Lion Case
3 Elephant Cases
October Report by Dr. Kariuki Edward The Southern Conservation Area experienced slightly cooler weather in October 2023. The Amboseli Mobile Veterinary Unit attended to 6 Cases over the reporting period. These included 3 elephant cases involving an autopsy examination on an adult elephant bull named ‘Osama’ with a history of treatment for lameness attributed to a spear wound; a juvenile elephant bull with predation wounds inflicted by a lion; and a recumbent elephant bull that was too weak to stand without assistance. The team also attended to a lion with a superficial wound in the scapula region and an old, nonfunctional collar; they additionally tagged 15 Masai giraffes in Kajiado County in an effort by KWS management to control bushmeat poaching and snaring along newly established fences; and attended to an adult Masai giraffe bull that was unable to stand on its own. Unfortunately, the giraffe had a poor prognosis. It was put to rest to alleviate further pain and suffering. 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, Satao, Big Life Foundation, and Amboseli Elephant Research who participated in the veterinary interventions. Additionally, the team thanks everyone else who reported and assisted in monitoring distressed wildlife in areas of interest.
Case Details Date
Species
Area Found
Reason for Intervention
Outcome
02-Oct 23
Elephant
Satao Elerai, Amboseli
Spear
Autopsy examination on the carcass of an adult elephant bull named ‘Osama’.
Poaching Death.
04-Oct 23
Elephant
Amboseli N.P.
Natural Causes
Juvenile elephant bull with injuries sustained during a lion attack.
Successfully treated
06-Oct 23
Elephant
Satao Elerai, Amboseli
Natural Causes
Recumbent adult elephant bull that collapsed and was unable to stand.
Successfully treated
06-Oct 23
Lion
Kimana Sanctuary
Natural Causes
Adult male lion with a wound in the scapula region and an old non-functional collar.
Successfully treated
16-Oct 23 to 21-Oct 23
Giraffe
Kajiado County
Technical Case
Tagging 15 Masai giraffes to monitor their movements in a bid to control bush meat poaching and snaring.
Task successful
Giraffe
Kimana Group Ranch
Natural Causes
Adult male Masai giraffe unable to stand on its own.
Died. Euthanized
23-Oct 23
SWT/KWS Amboseli Mobile Vet Unit Treatment Locations October 2023
Case 1 – 02nd October 2023 Elephant
Spear
Satao Elerai Conservancy
An adult elephant bull named ‘Osama’ was found dead after being recumbent for a day. The bull had a history of treatment for lameness. Post-mortem findings The elephant bull looked emaciated and skull bones were exposed and prominent. Orbital areas were deeply sunken due to the loss of adipose tissue. A deep, penetrating, pus-filled spear wound on the left forelimb was cut through and examined. There was extensive damage to the joint which must have caused the elephant significant pain. The pain experienced by the animal could have led to poor eating habits and emaciation.
Case 2 – 04th October 2023 Elephant
Natural Causes
Oltukai – Amboseli National Park
A researcher at the Amboseli Trust for Elephants in Amboseli National Park reported an injured male elephant calf. Immobilisation, examination and treatment The juvenile elephant bull was found alone. A vehicle was maneuverer in place to prevent the calf from venturing into the nearby swamp. The calf was darted with 6 mg Etorphine and successfully immobilized. Closer examination revealed multiple, deep penetrating wounds on the neck and hind limbs. It was suspected that the wounds were inflicted by a lion. The pus-filled wounds were drained and irrigated with Hydrogen peroxide and iodine solution. Amoxicillin was administered intramuscularly and Oxytetracycline sprayed on the wounds to cover for bacterial infection. The calf was revived with Naltrexone and stood shortly thereafter. Prognosis The elephant calf has a good prognosis.
Case 3 – 06th October 2023 Elephant
Natural Causes
Satao Elerai Conservancy
Big Life Foundation rangers reported that an adult elephant bull had collapsed and was unable to stand on its own. Examination and treatment The elephant bull was found recumbent, it was weak and therefore immobilization was not required. Examination revealed old wounds, but none were fresh. The elephant was emaciated and weak. Glucose and fluids were administered accordingly. An Amoxicillin injection was also administered and Oxytetracycline sprayed on the old wounds to cover for bacterial infection. The elephant was later successfully assisted to stand using ropes. Once it was on all fours, it slowly walked away. Prognosis The elephant bull has a poor prognosis.
Case 4 – 09th October 2023 Lion
Natural Causes
Kimana Sanctuary
The Amboseli Mobile Veterinary Unit was informed about an injured adult male lion in Kimana Sanctuary by Big Life Foundation rangers. Immobilisation, examination and treatment The lion was darted from a vehicle with a cocktail of 300 mg Ketamine and 7 mg Medetomidine. Full immobilization was achieved about 12 minutes post-darting. The lion had a superficial wound on the scapular and a worn-out collar. Upon further evaluation, the collar was found to be nonfunctional. The old collar was removed and replaced with a new GPS collar for long-term monitoring. The wound was cleaned with Hydrogen peroxide and irrigated with Iodine. Amoxicillin and Dexamethasone injections were administered then anaesthesia was successfully reversed. Prognosis The lion has a good prognosis.
Case 5 – 16th October 2023 to 21st October 2023 Giraffe
Technical Cases
Kajiado County
KWS management decided to tag 15 Masai giraffes in Kajiado County to monitor their movement among herds. This was geared towards controlling bushmeat poaching and snaring along the newly established fences. Immobilisation, tagging and prophylactic treatment Each of the 15 giraffes (8 female and 7 male) were darted from a vehicle with 12 – 13 mg Etorphine and 30 mg Azaperone. Individual doses were calculated based on the giraffe's live weight and sex. All giraffes attained sufficient anaesthesia and revival following antidote administration. The giraffe's tail was spread to determine the dorsal part of the tail then the tags were secured using 2 nuts. The tagged giraffe was then treated with 60 ml Amoxicillin to cover for secondary bacterial infection. Additionally, Oxytetracycline wound spray was applied on the area of tissue sampling, and on the dart wound. All giraffes were successfully tagged.
Case 6 – 23rd October 2023 Giraffe
Natural Causes
Sentrim – Kimana Group Ranch
Community management in Kilunyet sighted and reported an adult male Masai giraffe that was unable to stand on its own.
Examination and treatment The giraffe was physically restrained, no drugs were used. It looked emaciated and dehydrated. Fluids were administered intravenously for nutrition and rehydration. However, the giraffe was unable to stand even with assistance from the team. Given the animal’s poor prognosis, it was euthanized on welfare grounds. Prognosis The giraffe had a poor prognosis. Therefore, it was put to rest to alleviate further pain and suffering.