SWT/KWS MARA MOBILE VETERINARY UNIT AUGUST 2023
Introduction
7 Cases in August
4 Poaching Cases
1 Elephant Case
August Report by Dr. Michael Njoroge Human-wildlife conflict and bushmeat poaching cases persisted in August 2023. Predator-prey interactions and territorial conflicts also played out as animals jostled for survival. The Mara Mobile Veterinary Unit attended to 7 Cases over the reporting period. These included 4 poaching cases involving a snared sub-adult Masai giraffe in Olaro Conservancy; a snared adult male common zebra in Mara Ripoi Conservancy; and a snared adult male aardvark in Kilgoris. The team also attended to an elephant bull in Olkinyei Conservancy with 2 spear wounds close to the spine. Additionally, the team relocated an adult male eland that was reported to be raiding crops in local farms in the Parkitilat Area as well as a problematic adult male common zebra in Transmara. The team also attended to a sub-adult male lion that was severely injured during a territorial fight. Sadly, the young lion had a poor prognosis and was put to rest to alleviate further pain and suffering. Acknowledgement The Mara Mobile Veterinary team greatly appreciates Elizabeth Scarlett for funding the Unit through the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust. The team also thanks Kenya Wildlife Service for providing technical support and all the conservation partners who contributed to the success of veterinary interventions through timely reporting of veterinary cases and monitoring of treated animals.
Case Details Date
Species
Area Found
Reason for Intervention
Outcome
14-Aug 23
Giraffe
Olaro Conservancy
Snared
Sub-adult male Masai giraffe with a wire snare around the left hind limb.
Successfully treated
16-Aug 23
Zebra
Mara Ripoi Conservancy
Snared
Adult male common zebra with a wire snare around the left hind limb.
Successfully treated
17-Aug 23
Eland
Parkitilat Conservancy
HWC
Relocation of an adult male eland that was reported to be raiding crops in local farms.
Task successful
17-Aug 23
Zebra
Transmara
HWC
Relocation of problematic adult male common zebra.
Task successful
21-Aug 23
Lion
Mara Triangle
Natural Causes
Sub-adult male lion severely injured during a territorial fight.
Died. Euthanized
23-Aug 23
Elephant
Olkinyie Conservancy
Spear
Adult male elephant with 2 spear wounds close to the spine.
Successfully treated
Aardvark
Oloiborsoito, Kilgoris
Snared
Adult male aardvark with a wire snare around the snout.
Successfully treated & relocated
25-Aug 23
SWT/KWS Mara Mobile Vet Unit Treatment Locations August 2023
Case 1 – 14th August 2023 Giraffe
Snared
Olaro Conservancy
Olaro Conservancy management reported a sub-adult male Masai giraffe with a tight wire snare on its left hindlimb. The location the giraffe was last seen was relatively close, but it took one and a half hours to reach the area due to severely eroded roads. Immobilisation, examination and treatment After searching for some time, the giraffe was found in a bushy area browsing with a big adult bull. The young giraffe was darted from a vehicle and immobilized with 10 mgs Etorphine and 20 mgs Azaperone. It took off when the dart landed and was followed on foot. The giraffe was roped down 7 minutes later when the drugs took effect. Anaesthesia was reversed with 100 ml Naltrexone immediately the giraffe was on the ground. It was then blindfolded and manually restrained by pinning its head and neck to the ground. The tight wire snare on the distal part of the cannon bone was removed and the minor bruises inflicted by the snare were disinfected with Hydrogen Peroxide and Iodine and covered with Tetracycline wound spray. 15,000 mgs Tetracycline and 40 mgs Dexamethasone were administered intramuscularly before the animal was released. The giraffe stood up immediately and run off. Prognosis The young giraffe has a good prognosis.
Case 2 – 16th August 2023 Zebra
Snared
Mara Ripoi Conservancy
While on patrol, Mara Ripoi rangers spotted an adult male common zebra with a tight wire snare around its left hindlimb. The animal was standing alone and was unwilling to move. Immobilisation, examination and treatment The snared stallion was found alone and was easily spotted by the veterinary team. It was darted from a vehicle with 6 mgs Etorphine and 70 mgs Azaperone. The drugs took effect 5 minutes later. The zebra went down on the left lateral recumbency and was blindfolded. Upon closer examination, several tight plain wires were observed around the zebra’s left hindlimb slightly above the fetlock joint. The snare had inflicted soft tissue injuries all around the limb causing severe discomfort. The wire snare was cut off with wire cutters then the wounds were disinfected with Hydrogen peroxide and Iodine and covered with Tetracycline wound spray to act as a broad-spectrum antibiotic and to repel flies. Systemically, 15,500 mg Amoxicillin and 25 mg Dexamethasone were administered intramuscularly. Anaesthesia was then reversed with 60 mgs Naltrexone administered through the jugular vein. The zebra sprung up energetically 2 minutes later and ran away. Prognosis The zebra has a good prognosis.
Case 3 – 17th August 2023 Eland
Human – Wildlife Conflict
Parkitilat Conservancy
Parkitilat Conservancy rangers sought assistance from the Mara Mobile Veterinary Unit in relocating an adult male Eland that had strayed and was reported to be raiding crops in neighbouring farms.
Immobilisation and translocation The eland was found grazing alone. It was darted from a vehicle with 10 mgs Etorphine and 80 mgs Azaperone. The drugs took effect 5 minutes later with the eland going down on right lateral recumbency. The eland was blindfolded, loaded onto a vehicle, and relocated to a well-fenced farm nearby. At the release site, anaesthesia was reversed with 100 mg Naltrexone administered both intravenously and intramuscularly. The eland regained consciousness 2 minutes later and ran off. The animal is expected to adapt well to the new area, and incidents of crop raiding are expected to be greatly reduced.
Case 4 – 17th August 2023 Zebra
Human – Wildlife Conflict
Transmara
A KWS ranger reported a problematic adult male common zebra requiring relocation. Immobilisation, examination and treatment The zebra stallion was found grazing next to a maize farm. The animal was darted from a vehicle with 5 mgs Etorphine and 70 mgs Azaperone. The dart landed on the zebra’s pelvic musculature, it was startled and walked away until the drugs took effect 5 minutes later. The animal was brought down in left lateral recumbency, it was then blindfolded and loaded onto a vehicle for translocation to a nearby fenced farm. At the release site, anaesthesia was reversed with Naltrexone administered through the jugular vein. The animal stood 2 minutes post-reversal and ran away. The stallion is expected to cope well in the new area which has plenty of grass, water, and a herd of zebra mares.
Case 5 – 21st August 2023 Lion
Natural Causes
Mara Triangle
This injured sub-adult male lion was seen on 20/8/ 2023 and reported by Mara Triangle management. The Mara Mobile Veterinary Unit was infomed that the lion had a swollen forelimb and was unable to move. It was established that the animal had been injured during a territorial fight, sustaining an open wound that was prone to infection and subsequent septicaemia. Unfortunately, treatment had to be postponed to the following morning since it was late in the day and there was a significant distance to cover from the station to the site. Immobilisation and examination The young lion was found resting under a Croton bush. He was darted with 4 mgs Medetomidine and 300 mg Ketamine. The was no sign of movement after darting which raised concern that the lion was seriously injured. After 15 minutes, he was completely anaesthetised in sternal recumbency. The lion was blindfolded and moved to a shaded area. Upon physical examination, it was discovered that the lion had sustained multiple open fractures of the right scapula. Sadly, the lion had a poor prognosis for recovery given his severe injuries. Therefore, he was put to rest to alleviate further pain and suffering. A post-mortem was carried out thereafter. Significant Postmortem findings. ▪ ▪ ▪
Haemorrhage around the area of injury. Fibrin strands suggestive of acute inflammation. Bone fragments under the skin. The entire scapula was crushed.
The lion’s body was disposed of accordingly.
Case 6 – 23rd August 2023 Elephant
Spear
Olkinyei Conservancy
While on patrol, Mara Elephant Project rangers observed a big elephant bull that was reluctant to move. This raised concern that there was a problem, they eventually noted that the bull had several spear wounds. Immobilisation, examination and treatment The massive elephant bull was found grazing alone in a slopy and swampy area. A drone was successfully used to push the injured animal to a more suitable area for immobilization. The elephant was then darted from a vehicle and immobilized with 17 mgs Etorphine. The drugs took full effect 10 minutes post-darting. Once the elephant was on left lateral recumbency, he was doused with water and his left ear was used as a blindfold. It was observed that the elephant had 2 swollen, pus oozing spear wounds. Pus was drained from the wounds, then the wounds were debrided with Hydrogen peroxide, disinfected with Iodine, and packed with green clay before they were sprayed with Tetracycline wound spray. 30,000 mgs Amoxicillin and 40 mgs Dexamethasone were also administered intramuscularly. Anaesthesia was reversed with 170 mgs Naltrexone administered both intravenously and intramuscularly. The elephant stood 5 minutes post-reversal and moved towards a nearby bush. Prognosis The elephant bull has a good prognosis.
Case 7 – 25th August 2023 Aardvark
Snared
Oloiborsoito, Kilgoris
Members of the Oloiborsoito community in Transmara West reported an adult male aardvark with a wire snare on its snout. Immobilisation, examination and treatment The aardvark was physically restrained. Physical examination indicated that the animals was emaciated, its body condition was below average. Then wire snare on the animal’s snout was cut off with wire cutters then the wound it had caused was cleaned with Hydrogen peroxide, disinfected with Iodine and sprayed with Tetracycline aerosol to repel files. Systemically, 3,000 mg Amoxicillin and 15 mg Dexamethasone was administered intramuscularly. Given its nocturnal nature, the aardvark was relocated to Partikilat Conservancy on 26/08/2023 during the evening hours and released close to some anthills. Prognosis The aardvark has a good prognosis and is expected to recover fully within a short time.