Case 10 – 20th April 2023

Rhino Technical Case Ruma National Park

A white rhino bull named Opiyo was identified as a candidate for horn trimming after he fatally injured another male in January during a territorial fight. He subsequently injured a 5-year-old female while attempting to mate which ultimately led to the death of the young rhino. The Mara Mobile Veterinary Unit carried out the exercise with assistance from a veterinary team from the Veterinary Headquarters.

Immobilisation and horn trimming

Opiyo was found in an open grazing field and darted from a helicopter with 5 mgs Etorphine and 60 mgs Azaperone. He was fully immobilized after 5 minutes and went down on sternal recumbency; he was then pushed into lateral recumbency, blindfolded and Butorphanol administered through the ear vein to enhance respiration. Opiyo’s horn was then trimmed to a size safe for other rhinos. About half of the horn was trimmed - 30 cm. Anaesthesia reversal was done with 20 mgs Naltrexone administered via ear vein and intramuscularly to achieve sedative reversal after 2 minutes.

Prognosis

Opiyo has a good prognosis.

Rhino Snared Ruma National Park

Rangers on patrol spotted a sub-adult female black rhino tethered to a tree by a snare on the right hind limb.

Immobilisation, examination and treatment

The animal was found on sternal recumbency on a steep slope, it was tethered to a tree by a snare on the right hind limb. The rhino was darted with 3 mgs Etorphine and 60 mgs Azaperone and was fully immobilized 5 minutes later. The animal was blindfolded, and the snare cut off. No significant injuries were seen around the area bound by the snare. Upon physical examination, the animal was found to have suffered myositis probably due to extreme muscle stretching. Oxytetracycline, Dexamethasone and Catasol were administered intramuscularly. Anaesthesia was reversed with 40 mgs Naltrexone administered intravenously and intramuscularly. The rhino woke up 2 minutes later, but it did not stand. After 24 hrs of observation and monitoring, repeat treatment with supportive therapy was administered. However, the rhino’s condition drastically declined; therefore, it was put to rest to alleviate further pain and suffering.

Post-mortem findings

The rhino was noted to have a hip dislocation. The head of the femur was out of the acetabulum fossa; ligaments had raptured, and fibrin strands were observed around the joint being evidence of acute inflammation. Significant injury of the quadriceps muscles, biceps femoris muscles, semitendinosus and gastrocnemius muscles which help to extend and flex the hip joint was also observed. Significant congestion of blood vessels around the hip joint was also seen. The horns were recovered and handed over to Ruma National Park security department.

Reason for Immobility and deteriorating health.

Dislocation of the hip joint and massive muscle injury around the hip joint. The rhino was also getting rapidly dehydrated despite being in a river valley. This was due to the high ambient temperature and the long period the rhino was without shade while it was tethered to the tree.

Elephant Spear Olkinyei Conservancy

Mara Elephant Project Rangers noticed that Kiambi, a big elephant bull, had suffered several spear wounds

Immobilisation, examination and treatment

Kiambi was found foraging with 2 big elephant bulls. He was darted from a vehicle with 17 mgs Etorphine. Full immobilization was achieved after 10 minutes Kiambi went down on lateral recumbency, and his right ear was used to cover the right eye to shield it from direct sunlight and dust. Water was doused on his body to cool him down. Upon closer examination, 3 penetrating wounds were observed. The first 2 were communicating wounds on the right thoracic region and 3rd was on the left pelvic region. The wounds were cleaned with water and disinfected with Hydrogen peroxide and Iodine. Antibiotic pessaries and green clay were inserted into each wound before it was sprayed with Tetracycline. Kiambi was also given long-acting anti-biotics and anti-inflammatories. He was revived with Naltrexone and was on sternal recumbency 5 minutes post-reversal. He stood on all fours thereafter and moved towards a nearby bush.

Prognosis

Kiambi has a good prognosis for full recovery.