SWT/KWS MARA MOBILE VETERINARY UNIT
MARCH 2023
Introduction
4 Cases in March 1 Big Cat Case 3 Elephant Cases
March Report
by Dr. Ndambiri EphantusThe month under review marks the transition from hot, dry, and windy conditions to the cool and wet rainy season. This comes as a great reprieve for flora and fauna. Rains fell towards the end of the March giving a lifeline to the Mara ecosystem that has been devastated by drought. As forage and water become more readily available, we expect cases of human-wildlife conflict to drastically reduce.
The SWT-KWS Mara Mobile Veterinary Unit attended to 4 Cases in March comprising 1 lion case and 3 elephant cases.
Acknowledgement
The 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
SWT/KWS Mara Mobile Vet Unit Treatment Locations March
Lion Human – Wildlife Conflict
Maasai Mara National Reserve
The Veterinary Unit reviewed the recovery of an adult male lion previously treated on 7/2/2023 for spear injuries. The lion had not deteriorated health wise, but the wound on the lip had suffered suture dehiscence due to friction and tissue force at the suture line. The aim of the review was to disinfect the wound after cleaning and extend antibiotic cover so that the wound could heal with secondary intention.
Immobilisation, examination and treatment
The lion was found in some thickets lying on left lateral recumbency, it was darted with 600 mgs Ketamine and 8 mgs Medetomidine and was completely sedated in 10 minutes. The animal was blindfolded and placed on left lateral recumbency to expose the right commissure for review. The wounds on the neck had apposed completely. The wound on the lip had good cover of granulating tissue and a scar had begun forming. It was established that the right carnassial tooth had been broken into three as the spear went into the buccal cavity. The tooth pieces were loosely held by the gum. The wound under the tongue had completely healed.
The pieces of the broken tooth were carefully removed, some bleeding was experienced but it was managed by applying pressure with a bandage. The wound on the lip was cleaned with Hydrogen peroxide, rinsed with Iodine, and covered with Tetracycline wound spray. 37,500 mgs Amoxicillin and 40 mgs Dexamethasone were administered intramuscularly then anaesthesia was reversed with 18.75 mgs Yohimbine administered intravenously and 10 mgs Atipamezole administered intramuscularly. The lion regained consciousness after 6 minutes and was left alone to calm down after 15 minutes.
Prognosis
The lion has a fair prognosis for full recovery. Monitoring was advised, and another review will be scheduled after 2 weeks if need arises.
Elephant Spear Siana Conservancy
The Mara Elephant Project team and KWS Nkoilale Outpost reported a lame sub-adult female elephant. The elephant had a septic, pus discharging wound on the swollen left knee joint. Dead muscle tissue could be seen protruding from the wound that was believed to have been caused by a spear.
Immobilisation, examination and treatment
The elephant was found in dense thickets and darting on foot was the only option. After an hour of stalking, it was successfully darted on the right rump with 13 mgs Etorphine. It traversed difficult hilly terrain before the drugs took effect 7 minutes later and went down on left lateral recumbency facing downhill. Given the difficult terrain, re-positioning the animal was not possible. The swollen, puss discharging pouch was incised to enlarge the opening. Dead muscle tissues were excised after establishing they had no blood supply. The wound was cleaned with water, disinfected with Hydrogen peroxide and Iodine, and the pouch sprayed with Tetracycline wound spray. 15,000 mgs Amoxicillin and 100 mgs Dexamethasone were administered before anaesthesia was reversed with 150 mg Naltrexone administered intravenously. The elephant stood 3 minutes later and walked away after several attempts to stand.
Prognosis
The elephant has a fair prognosis.
Elephant Arrow Naibosho Conservancy
The Naboisho Conservancy Manager informed the Mara Mobile Veterinary Unit about a lame elephant bull with an arrowhead lodged in its right forelimb at the fetlock area.
Immobilisation, examination and treatment
The injured bull was found with a family of about 15 individuals under the keen watch of the conservancy rangers, the conservancy manager, the Mara Elephant Program team, and the KWS Nkoilale Outpost team. The bull was darted twice with 18 mg Etorphine each time since the 1st dart failed to discharge due to poor placement. The bull lagged behind the family 6 minutes after it was darted a second time eventually going down on left lateral recumbency at 8th minute. The wound was exposed for treatment by turning the elephant to its side with straps attached to a vehicle. No foreign body was found in the wound upon probing. The penetrating wound was about 15 cm deep, it was relatively fresh (less than 48 hours old). The wound was flushed with Hydrogen Peroxide and Iodine then 5 grams Amoxicillin ointment was infiltrated into the wound canal. 100 mgs Dexamethasone and 20,000 mgs Tetracycline were also administered before anaesthesia was reversed with 250 mgs Naltrexone. The elephant stood 2 minutes later and walked away.
Prognosis
The elephant bull has a good prognosis.
Elephant Natural Causes
Mara North Community Conservancy
The Mara Elephant Project team reported a female elephant calf with severe lameness on the right forelimb.
Immobilisation, examination and treatment
The calf was found with her family comprising the matriarch and 2 siblings. To avoid calf-cow separation, both mother and calf were darted. The mother was darted first with 18 mgs Etorphine while the calf was darted 3 minutes later. The mother went down on left lateral recumbency 6 minutes post darting while the calf went down 2 minutes later, at the same location, on left lateral recumbency. The calf’s right forelimb was thoroughly examined. A tender spot was found at coronet line, this was thought to be the focal point of a developing abscess. It was aspirated and yielded no substantial discharge. Nothing of concern was found through palpation and manipulation of the bony tissues of the entire limb. The calf’s lameness was attributed to a soft tissue injury deemed to have been inflicted by a blunt object such as a stone in rugged terrain. 30 mgs Dexamethasone was administered intravenously to relieve pain and inflammation, a similar dose was also administered intramuscularly for prolonged release. 20 ml Catasol and 60,000 mgs Amoxicillin were also administered for metabolic stimulation and as broad-spectrum antibiotic cover respectively.
Revival and Prognosis
Revival from anaesthesia was done at one-minute intervals starting with the calf. The calf was given 50 mgs Naltrexone while the mother received 18 mgs Diprenorphine and 150 mgs Naltrexone, all drugs were administered through the ear vein. The calf woke up after 2 minutes, 1 minute earlier than the mother, and had been joined by its 2 siblings by the time the mother was waking up. With the family re-united, they all walked away together into the nearby thickets. The calf has a fair prognosis and monitoring will continue for possible review after 7-10 days if recovery is slow.