SWT/KWS MARA MOBILE VETERINARY UNIT
JUNE 2023
Introduction
June
10 Cases in June 7 Poaching Cases 4 Elephant Cases
Report by Dr. Michael Njoroge
The Mara Mobile Veterinary Unit attended to 10 cases in June 2023. The team rescued a 6-8 month old abandoned elephant calf; treated 3 elephants on separate dates for arrow and spear wounds; examined a lioness with minor traumatic wounds on the left hindlimb; performed an autopsy on a roan antelope; examined a giraffe with a minor arrow wound; de-snared a common zebra; treated another common zebra for an arrow wound on the right forelimb; and examined a hippopotamus with 2 spears lodged in the pelvic region and the face respectively
Acknowledgement
The Mara Mobile Veterinary Unit 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
June
Roan Antelope Post-mortem Ruma National Park
An adult male roan antelope was reported to have died on 03/06/2023 during the night The animal was noted to have had above average body condition before it died and was seen constantly shaking its head.
External significant post-mortem findings
The animal had above average body condition before it died. A lot of brown ticks were observed around the pinnae and in the perineum. Maggots were seen around the horns, the ears, and on the ventral surface of the neck. Alopecia was observed around all the areas infested by ticks and maggots.
Internal significant post-mortem findings
Pale mucus membranes. Swollen ears and maggots evident on the ear auditory meatus. Meningitisinflammation of the meninges Congested liver. Lungs with rounded edges.
Morphological diagnosis: Anaemia. Dehydration.
Tentative diagnosis: Toxic shock Neurogenic shock
Samples collected: Brain, liver, and kidney samples.
Confirmatory diagnosis: Facultative myiasis. Tick infestation.
Immediate Cause of death
Hypovolemic shock due to high number of blood sucking parasites.
Unfortunately, there are no pictures for this case.
Elephant Arrow Musiara
While on patrol, Mara Elephant Project rangers spotted an adult elephant bull with pus oozing wounds on the left flank and around the spinal area.
Immobilisation, examination and treatment
The bull was found in a herd of about 20 elephants that were in a marshy area with thick bush. A helicopter skilfully herded the injured bull to relatively open ground for darting The bull was darted on the hind quarters with 17 mgs Etorphine. It took 10 minutes for the drugs to take effect, the bull was then physically brought down by pushing it onto its side. After a few attempts, the elephant went down on sternal recumbency. Efforts were made to reposition the bull in lateral recumbency which is less risky for an immobilized elephant. However, this was unsuccessful given the animal’s massive size and weight. The ground was also too marshy and wet for a vehicle to assist in positioning the bull in lateral recumbency. Therefore, the vet chose to perform quick treatment and reversal as both injuries were visible. Both ears were used as blindfold then the bull was also doused with water to cool its body down. Upon close examination, 2 communicating penetrating arrow wounds were observed. The wounds were deep and had plenty of pus indicating that the elephant had borne them for some time. The wounds were cleaned with water, debrided with Hydrogen peroxide, and disinfected with Iodine. Tetracycline spray and green clay were applied as topical treatment. Antibiotic pessaries were inserted into the deep wounds to ward off reinfection. Systemically 30,000 mg Amoxicillin and 50 mgs Dexamethasone were administered intramuscularly.
Anaesthesia was reversed with 170 mgs Naltrexone; two thirds was administered via the ear vein while a third was injected intramuscularly. Recovery was smooth, but the bull took plenty of time to stand since the animal’s tusks had dug deep into the soft ground. The elephant was however able to stand on all fours after about 10 minutes without assistance.
Prognosis
The elephant bull has a good prognosis.
Elephant Arrow Naibosho Conservancy
An adult elephant bull that seemed to avoid moving from where it stood was seen by Naboisho Conservancy rangers.
Immobilisation, examination and treatment
The animal was found in an area with thick bush and rocky terrain. It was noted that the bull had been treated at an earlier date for a poisoned arrow wound on the left forelimb. When it was initially treated, the bull had a very swollen limb, and it was severely limping. The swelling had tremendously reduced since then. However, re-treatment was necessary to ward off further infection and manage inflammation. With assistance from a helicopter, the animal was driven to open ground and darted with 17 mg Etorphine It went down on lateral recumbency after about 10 minutes.
To facilitate easy access to the injury, the bull was turned over to its other side with assistance from rangers and a vehicle. The left ear was used to cover the left eye shielding it from direct sunlight and dust, water was also poured onto the animal’s body to cool it down. The wounds were cleaned with Hydrogen peroxide and disinfected with Iodide before Tetracycline spray was applied as a topical antibiotic. 60 ml Oxytetracycline LA was also infiltrated into the wound to fight infection. Systemically 35,000 mgs Tetracycline and 40 mgs Dexamethasone were administered.
Anaesthesia was reversed with 170 mgs Naltrexone. The bull stood 5 minutes post-reversal and walked towards the nearby bush
Prognosis
The elephant bull has a good prognosis.
Elephant Spear Mara North Conservancy
An adult elephant bull with a spear lodged in its pelvic region was seen by Mara North rangers.
Immobilisation, examination and treatment
The elephant was found in a thicket, it was driven to more suitable ground for darting with assistance from the Mara Elephant Project helicopter. The animal was successfully dated on the hind quarters with 17 mgs Etorphine. The elephant attempted to run back into denser vegetation, and after about 10 minutes the spear self-dislodged from the elephant’s body. Full immobilization was achieved with the bull positioned in lateral recumbency. The left ear was used to cover the left eye then the animal was doused with water to cool down its body. Upon close examination, a penetrating wound was seen in the pelvic region. The wound was cleaned with water, debrided with Hydrogen peroxide and disinfected with Iodine before Tetracycline spray was applied as a fly repellent. Systemically, 30,000 mg Amoxicillin and 50 mgs Dexamethasone were administered Anaesthesia was reversed with 170 mgs Naltrexone administered intravenously and intramuscularly. The elephant positioned itself in sternal recumbency 3 minutes post-reversal, it stood shortly thereafter and walked away.
Prognosis
The elephant has a good prognosis
An injured adult male giraffe was reported by Mara Siria Lodge staff
Examination
The animal was reported to have an arrow lodged in its body. The Veterinary Unit responded immediately, but it took 3 hours to reach the area the giraffe was seen. The animal was found and upon observation from a distance, it was discovered that the arrow had fallen off According to the Vet’s assessment, no intervention was necessary since the wound inflicted by the arrow was minor.
Prognosis
The giraffe has a good prognosis. The animal’s recovery will be closely monitored for 1 week.
Unfortunately, there are no pictures for this case.
Zebra Snared Kawai
An adult male common zebra with a tight wire snare around the right hind limb was spotted by rangers The animal was seen alone, it was moving slowly as it limped away and could hardly focus on grazing.
Immobilisation, examination and treatment
The snared zebra was easily found when the vet team arrived. It was darted from a vehicle with 6 mgs Etorphine and 70 mgs Azaperone. The animal went down in left lateral recumbency and was blindfolded. The tight wire snare had caused a pus oozing wound on the ventral aspect of the cannon bone. The wire snare was cut off then the wound was disinfected with Hydrogen peroxide and Iodine. Tetracycline was then liberally applied to serve as a broad-spectrum antibiotic and fly repellent. Systemically, 15,000 mg Amoxicillin and 25 mg Dexamethasone were administered intramuscularly. Anaesthesia reversal was achieved with 60 mg Naltrexone administered through the jugular vein. The animal sprung up energetically 2 minutes post reversal and ran away.
Prognosis
The zebra stallion has a good prognosis
Lion Natural Causes Takek
An injured adult female lioness was seen by a driver guide during a game drive The veterinary team responded immediately.
Examination
The animal was easily found using the GPS coordinates provided. The lioness was in a pride of 5 lactating females and 3 big males. The injured lioness was observed from a distance, and small traumatic wounds were seen on the lateral aspect of the left hind limb. The injuries were deemed to be minor by the Vet therefore no intervention was required.
Prognosis
The lioness has a good prognosis The wounds are expected to heal naturally within a short period. The animal will be monitored by County rangers.
Conservancy
While on their way to rescue a speared hippopotamus in Naretoi Conservancy, the Mara Mobile Veterinary Unt came across an adult female common zebra with an arrowhead lodged in the lateral aspect of the right forelimb just below the elbow joint. The mare was very lame and had difficulty moving.
Immobilisation, examination and treatment
The animal was darted from a vehicle with 5 mg Etorphine and 60 mg Azaperone. Full immobilization was attained 5 minutes later with the animal assuming lateral recumbency. The zebra was held by the ears, repositioned and blindfolded. Upon examination, it was found that the arrowhead had dropped off as the animal tried to escape when it was darted. The wound was disinfected with Hydrogen peroxide and Iodine then Tetracycline wound spray was applied as a fly repellent. 50 mgs Etorphine was administered through the jugular vein to effect sedative reversal which occurred 2 minutes later. The zebra sprung up energetically and ran away.
Prognosis
The zebra had no significant injuries. The animal is expected to recover fully, it therefore has a good prognosis.
Case 9 – 26th June 2023
Elephant Rescue Talek
An abandoned 6–8-month-old female elephant calf was reported within the Mara protected area. The calf was first seen on 24th June 2023 (Saturday) following tourist vehicles. The Senior Warden – Mara attempted to push the calf towards a nearby herd with the hope that it would be adopted by the passing herd. Unfortunately, attempts to have the calf adopted by the herd were not successful. The calf was later seen following an elephant bull.
Rescue
With no hope of reuniting the calf with its mother, and considering the calf’s deteriorating body condition, the veterinary team in liaison with the Masai Mara management sought and received authorization to rescue the calf. The elephant calf was physically restrained and taken to the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust nursery in Nairobi for further care and rehabilitation.
The calf was in fair body condition. 50 mg Azaperone was administered to calm the calf down while in transit.
