SWT/KWS Mara Mobile Veterinary Report for February 2023

SWT/KWS MARA MOBILE VETERINARY UNIT

FEBRUARY 2023

Introduction

12 Cases in February

February Report by Dr.

Ndambiri Ephantus

7 HWC Cases

5 Elephant Cases

As drought ravages the Mara Ecosystem, the scramble for scarce resources has been compounded by cattle incursion into the Maasai Mara National Reserve. Consequently, this has led to dire human-wildlife conflict as exhibited by the large number of cases attended to involving spear injuries. The situation can only improve if cattle incursion into the reserve is discouraged, and we are once again blessed with rain. The Mara Mobile Veterinary Unit attended to 11 Cases in total in February; 7 of these cases were related to human -wildlife conflict. Animals attended to in February included 5 elephant cases, 4 lion cases, 1 wildebeest case and 2 cheetah cases.

Acknowledgement

The Mara Mobile Veterinary Unit team greatly appreciates Elizabeth Scarlett for funding the Unit through the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust. Additionally, the team would also like to thank all the conservation partners within the Mara ecosystem who have contributed to the success of veterinary interventions through timely reporting of veterinary cases, tracking, and monitoring treated animals. We owe our success to all of you.

Case Details

February 2023

Wildebeest Snared Naibosho Conservancy

While driving through the conservancy, the Naibosho Conservancy Manager came across an adult male wildebeest with a long plain wire snare around its neck.

Immobilisation, examination and treatment

The wildebeest was found in open savannah among many small, scattered grazing herds. The animal kept kicking and licking the snare as it tried to remove it The wildebeest was darted from a distance with 8 mgs Etorphine and 100 mgs Azaperone on the left lumbar area. However, the dart failed to discharge its contents, and the animal was darted again 20 minutes later. The 2nd dart successfully immobilized the wildebeest in 4 minutes. A blindfold was placed on the animal’s forehead, and it was doused with water to cool its body given the high ambient temperature. The snare around the wildebeest’s neck was removed. Fortunately, the snare had not inflicted any injury. The animal was in good body condition therefore no further treatment was necessary. Anaesthesia was reversed with 24 mgs Diprenorphine which achieved complete reversal in less than 3 minutes.

Prognosis

The wildebeest has a good prognosis

Lion Human – Wildlife Conflict

Maasai Mara National Reserve

A county ranger reported seeing a lion with spear injuries on its head.

Immobilisation, examination and treatment

The lion was darted from a vehicle with 600 mgs Ketamine and 8 mgs Medetomidine. Immediately the dart landed, the lion attempted to move away but collapsed. An alarm was raised immediately since that was unusual behaviour. The lion was seemed to be having respiratory challenges and resuscitation was required. It was placed in lateral recumbency, and constant rhythmical pressing of the thoracic cavity was performed as 2 ml Dopram was administered through the dart needle. 2 minutes later, a similar dose was administered intravenously followed by another dose intramuscularly. Finally, after 15 minutes of resuscitation, the animal’s normal breathing rate under anaesthesia was achieved. The dart needle was retrieved then the dart wound was sprayed with Tetracycline aerosol spray to repel the flies. The lion was thought to have collapsed due to intra-bone marrow darting.

The lion had deep spear wounds on the cranial lateral aspect of the maxillary muscle and on the ventral aspect of the neck. Half a litre of glucose rich fluids was administered. The longitudinal wound edges were shaved then the wounds were cleaned with water and disinfected with Iodine. Muscles were sutured with chromic catgut sutures in a simple interrupted suture pattern. 15,000 mg Amoxicillin was infiltrated into the sutured wound followed by Tetracycline wound spray. 20,500 mgs Amoxicillin and 30 mgs Dexamethasone were administered into different muscle sites. 40 mgs Ivermectin was also injected subcutaneously to treat internal and external parasites infections.

Anaesthesia was reversed 1 hour post immobilization with 20 mgs Atipamezole administered intramuscularly and 40 mgs Yohimbine administered intravenously The lion showed signs of palpebral reflex and ear twitching after half an hour and placed itself in sternal recumbence after 40 minutes post revival. The lion walked away 1-hour post revival

Prognosis

The lion has a good prognosis, it is expected to recover fully within a very short time.

Lion Human - Wildlife Conflict

Maasai Mara National Reserve

The chief guide Main Governor’s Camp spotted a lioness from the Marsh Pride with a spear wound

Immobilisation, examination and treatment

The injured lioness was darted with 300mgs Ketamine and 6mgs Medetomidine and the drugs took effect within 10 minutes. The other members of the pride were chased away with a vehicle so that treatment could be performed.

A penetrating wound, about 10cm deep, was observed in the mid spine area. The wound was raw since the lioness was constantly licking it. It was disinfected with Hydrogen peroxide and Iodine, sprayed with Tetracycline, and packed with green clay. Topically, it was sprayed with Tetracycline. 6,000mgs Amoxicillin, 20ml Catasol and 30mgs Dexamethasone were administered intramuscularly and 50mgs Ivermectin injected subcutaneously.

Prognosis

Anaesthesia was reversed with 25mgs Yohimbine intravenously and 10mgs Atipamezole intramuscularly It was left alone to re-unite with the members of its pride. The lioness has a good prognosis.

Elephant Human – Wildlife Conflict Olkinyei Conservancy

Satellite collar tracking data indicated that a large, old, collared matriarch nicknamed Chelsea was behaving abnormally. The monitoring team found that she had 3 spear wounds which was compromising her mobility.

Immobilisation, examination and treatment

Chelsea was darted from a vehicle on the right rump, she was fully immobilized in left lateral recumbency 2 minutes later. A vehicle was used to herd away the 5 members of her family so treatment could be carried out. Her right ear was used as a blindfold, she was also doused with cold water to cool her body. 3 deep spear wounds were observed on the forelimb, the right scapula and the left ischium. All wounds were septic; the wound on her forelimb was barely a week old whereas the rest were more than a week old. No foreign body was retrieved from any of the wounds. The wounds were cleaned with water, disinfected with Hydrogen Peroxide and flushed with Iodine. Iodinated green clay was packed into each wound after it was sprayed with Tetracycline 15,000 mgs Amoxicillin, 50 ml Catosal and 1,000 mgs Flunixin meglumine were administered intramuscularly before anaesthesia was reversed with 200 mgs Naltrexone administered via the ear vein.

Prognosis

Chelsea was assisted to rise using straps anchored to the bulbar of a vehicle. She has a good prognosis for full recovery. However, any immobilization in future is considered risky given her age.

Elephant Human – Wildlife Conflict Mara North Conservancy

Mara Elephant Program officers spotted a sub-adult elephant bull that was severely lame, the elephant could barely support any weight on its left forelimb due to a spear wound at the elbow joint level.

Immobilisation, examination and treatment

The elephant was darted from a vehicle with 15 mgs Etorphine. The dart landed on left rump. The drugs took effect 5 minutes later with the animal still standing and using its tusks to support its head. It was pushed to left lateral recumbency by the team, and the right ear was used as blindfold. The animal was then doused with cold water to cool its body. A creamy pus discharging wound was observed at elbow joint level. No foreign object was found in the wound. The wound penetrated to the bone hence the severe lameness witnessed. The wound was cleaned with water, disinfected with Hydrogen peroxide and flushed with Iodine. Iodinated green clay was then packed into the wound after it was sprayed with Tetracycline. Tetracycline wound spray was also applied topically. 1,000 mgs Flunixin meglumine, 30 cc Catasol and 20,000 mgs Tetracycline were administered intramuscularly before anaesthesia was reversed with 200 mgs Naltrexone injected via the ear vein. The elephant stood 3 minutes later and limped off slowly.

Prognosis

The elephant has a guarded prognosis and shall be reviewed after 7 days

Lion Natural Causes Olkiombo, Maasai Mara National Reserve

The county ranger reported an injured adult male lion near the Olkiombo airstrip.

Immobilisation, examination and treatment

The Vet Unit found 2 large male lions resting under a tree beside Olare Orok River. Both males seemed to have lameness though the reported candidate had a swollen left forelimb with leg carrying lameness. The injured lion was darted from a vehicle with 600mgs Ketamine and 8mgs Medetomidine. The other male run about 100 meters away and watched The drugs took effect 10 minutes later with the animal assuming sternal recumbency. The lion was then blindfolded and positioned in lateral recumbency.

Upon manipulation of the left forelimb, slight crepitation was felt at the elbow joint 6,000mgs Amoxicillin and 600mg Flunixin meglumine were injected into different muscle sites. 40mgs Ivermectin was also administered subcutaneously to treat internal and external parasites infestations.

Prognosis

Anaesthesia was reversed 1-hour later with 40mgs Atipamezole injected intramuscularly. Signs of palpebral reflex and ear twitching were observed after half an hour. The lion placed itself in sternal recumbency 40 minutes post revival and walked away 5 minutes later It was left with the other male member of its pride.

Lion Human – Wildlife Conflict

Maasai Mara National Reseve

The area chief reported that an adult lioness had preyed on a domestic dog the previous night at Sekenani village which borders the reserve. By the time the vet arrived, the community had chased the lioness into thick bush. The lioness was spotted later that night by the rangers in the area.

Immobilisation, examination, relocation and treatment

The lioness was immobilized with 500mgs Ketamine and 10mgs Medetomidine. The dart landed on the right rump, and the animal was completely sedated 12 minutes later. Upon examination, the lioness was found to have 3 septic spear wounds on the neck. This had adversely affected the animal’s health; it was unable to follow the pride hence its isolation.

The lion was transported in an open truck from the capture site to the release site deep in the reserve approximately 1 and a half hours away. Immobilizing drugs were hand injected intramuscularly to prevent the lion from waking up during translocation.

The lioness was successfully and safely offloaded at release site. The wounds were cleaned with water, disinfected with Hydrogen peroxide and flushed with Iodine. Iodinated green clay was packed into the wound after Tetracycline wound spray and wound powder were applied. Topically, the wounds were also sprayed with Tetracycline. 40 mgs Dexamethasone, 30 cc Catasol and 3,000 mgs Amoxicillin were administered intramuscularly. 60 mgs Ivermectin was injected under the skin. Two notches on the left ear were cut to help in post-release monitoring Anaesthesia was reversed 2 and a half hours post-darting with 18.75 mgs Yohimbine injected intravenously and 15 mgs Atipamezole administered intramuscularly. The lioness stood half an hour later and slowly walked into the nearby bush.

Prognosis

The lioness has a guarded prognosis.

Cheetah Natural Causes Maasai Mara National Reserve

The CEO Mara-Meru Cheetah Project reported a lame adult male cheetah. Lameness was affecting the right hindlimb. Given that there was no obvious wound on the limb, and only a skin abrasion on the right shoulder that required no intervention was observed, the CEO was asked to monitor the animal, and report if the lameness had not shown signs of improvement the following day.

Examination and treatment

The Unit attended to the cheetah the following day since no improvement was noted After thorough observation, it was found that the cheetah could walk although it was limping. The animal was grooming itself; it was alert; it was rolling from side to side; it had no visible wounds, and the limb was not swollen. The cheetah was thought to have sustained a hip joint soft tissue injury during hunting. There was a lion nearby therefore immobilization was ruled out. Treatment was therefore administered by darting the animal on the left thigh with 40mgs Dexamethasone and 600mgs Clindamycin The cheetah sprung up when the dart landed and walked away slowly dislodging the dart in the process. The animal lay down 15 metres from darting site and was observed for 10 minutes for any adverse effects.

Prognosis

The cheetah was given a fair prognosis but was treated once more on the 25th of February.

Follow up Treatment on theAdult Male Cheetah on 25th February 2023

Follow up treatment on the lame adult male cheetah carried out on 25th February 2023 after the MaraMeru Cheetah Project CEO reported that there was very little improvement on the animal’s gait. The cheetah was found at Rekero area, Masai Mara N.R.

Immobilisation, examination and treatment

The cheetah was darted from a vehicle with 125 mgs Ketamine and 1 mg Medetomidine. The cheetah had to be darted again after 12 minutes since the 1st dart had no effect. It was fully immobilized 7 minutes after the 2nd dart landed. The lame right hind leg was thoroughly but cautious palpitated. The knee joint was slightly swollen making the upper limb tender and sensitive. It was presumed that the cheetah had suffered a sprain at the knee joint. The right forelimb had 2 scratches on the skin. The injury was thought to have occurred when the animal went hunting. 100 mgs Flunixin meglumine was injected into the femoral vein while 750 mgs Amoxicillin and 10 mgs Dexamethasone were injected into different muscle sites. The two dart wounds and the skin scratches were then sprayed with Tetracycline wound spray. Anaesthesia was reversed 15 minutes post-darting with 5 mgs Atipamezole administered intramuscularly, and 12.5 mgs Yohimbine injected intravenously. The animal stood sluggishly less than a minute post-reversal. It was observed for 30 minutes, and later left under the keen watch of the Mara- Meru Cheetah Project CEO.

Prognosis

The cheetah has a fair prognosis.

Case 10 – 21st February 2023

Elephant Natural Causes Serena Airstrip, Mara Triangle

Rangers on patrol spotted a young female elephant with a swollen left hindlimb.

Immobilisation, examination and treatment

The calf was found with its mother and other members of its elephant family. The calf was lagging behind, but its mother was keeping a keen eye on it. The mother and calf were darted with 20 mgs Etorphine and 3.5 mgs Etorphine respectively. The calf’s mother went down on left lateral recumbency while the calf went down on right lateral recumbency. Each animal’s ear was used as a blindfold No crepitation was felt upon manual manipulation of the swollen left hindlimb particularly around the stifle joint where swelling was more pronounced. It was suspected that the calf either suffered a soft tissue injury around the knee joint, a greenstick fracture, or a sprain on the limb while navigating rough terrain. The injury seemed to be at least a week old since the limb had shortened. 3,000 mgs Amoxicillin and 750 mgs Flunixin meglumine were injected intramuscularly while 40 mgs Dexamethasone was administered intravenously and intramuscularly. The calf was revived first with 12 mgs Diprenorphine injected via the ear vein. It moved towards the herd 4 minutes later. The mother was revived with 60 mgs Diprenorphine 3 minutes later and reunited with the calf.

Prognosis

The calf has a guarded prognosis since ambulation is compromised A review is scheduled after 7-10 days.

Case 11 – 22nd February 2023

Elephant Human-Wildlife Conflict Olare Conservancy

While on patrol, Mara Elephant Awareness rangers spotted an adult female elephant that was reluctant to move. Upon closer observation, it was found that the elephant had 3 spear wounds.

Immobilisation, examination and treatment

The injured elephant was found among a herd of over 15 elephants in thick bush. The elephant was darted with 17 mgs Etorphine on the left hind quarters and went down on right lateral recumbency once the drugs took effect. Individuals in the herd stood guard around the sedated matriarch, and they had to be chased away for treatment to be carried out. 2 spear wounds were observed on both lateral and medial aspect of the left mid forelimb, the other spear wound was at the level of the sternum. All wounds were septic and had slight maggot infestation. The wounds were cleaned with water, disinfected with Hydrogen Peroxide and Iodine, packed with green clay then sprayed with Tetracycline to repel flies. 20,000 mgs Tetracycline and 5,000 mgs Flunixin meglumine were administered intramuscularly while 80 mgs Dexamethasone was injected intravenously. Anaesthesia was reversed with 170 mgs Naltrexone injected into the ear vein. The recovery was smooth. 3 minutes post-reversal, the elephant stood and moved towards a nearby bush.

Prognosis

Good prognosis since the wounds were only mildly septic and the integrity of the joint was not compromised

Elephant Human – Wildlife Conflict Naibosho Conservancy

The Conservancy manager reported that an adult female elephant that had been treated for a spear wound was still exuding creamy pus from a wound at the left knee fold. The elephant also had a swelling just above the wound that was thought to contain a foreign body.

Immobilisation, examination and treatment

The elephant was found with its family within a hilly area with thick bush. It was darted from a vehicle with 18 mgs Etorphine when it went to quench its thirst at a nearby water pan. The animal went down on left lateral recumbency and was turned over to expose the wound on the left side. The right ear was used as a blindfold and the elephant doused with cold water to cool its body. The wound was cleaned with water and probed for any foreign object, but none was found. The wound was then flushed with Hydrogen Peroxide and Iodine, sprayed with Tetracycline to serve as a surface antibiotic and a fly repellent. An incision was made at the centre of swelling dorsal to the wound, and it was established to be a lymph node that had possibly hypertrophied due to the nearby wound. 20,000mgs Tetracycline and 50mgs Dexamethasone were administered intramuscularly before anaesthesia was reversed with 60mgs Diprenorphine injected into the ear vein. Recovery was smooth, and 3 minutes later the elephant stood and moved towards members of its family. The elephant has a good prognosis.