SWT/KWS MARA MOBILE VETERINARY UNIT
MAY 2023
4 Cases in May 2 Poaching Cases 2 Elephant Cases
May 2024 Report by Dr. Dr. Michael Njoroge
The Unit attended to 4 cases during the month of May. These cases involved the translocation of a herd of antelope (impala, eland and topi) that had jumped the fence of a Conservancy into community land and needed to relocated back to the Conservancy, treatment of an elephants for an arrow wound and a lion for a suspected snake bite injury. The Unit also carried out a post-mortem on an elephant that was likely killed by a spear.
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
11-May-24 Antelope Oloirien Relocation
20-May-24 Elephant Olkinyei Conservancy Arrow
22-May-24 Elephant Maji Moto Conservancy Spear
Capture and relocation of 9 antelopes that had jumped over the fence and gone into community land Task Successful
Adult elephant bull named Kiambi with an arrow wound on the left forelimb causing compromised mobility Successfully Treated
Post-mortem found traumatic puncture of the heart and lungs by a high velocity sharp object Poaching Death
27-May-24 Lion Mara Triangle Natural Causes Lorkulup, an adult male lion, had been bitten by a poisonous snake. He was in a lot of pain and had difficulty feeding.
Treated
May 2024
Case 1 – 11
May & 12th May 2024
Antelope Relocation
Elatia Farm, Olorien
Several antelope had jumped over the fence from the Elatia farm into the neighboring community. After obtaining permission from the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS), the Mara Vet Unit was contacted for intervention to translocate the wild animals back into the farm. It was identified that the animals to be translocated from the community were two adult female elands, three adult female topis, one adult male impala and three adult female impalas.
Immobilisation and capture
The two elands were anesthetised with 14mgs of Etorphine and 80mgs of Azaperone whilst 4mgs and 50mgs of Azaperone were used on impalas and topis; all were reversed with Naltrexone. On the first day we managed to capture one adult female eland and three adult female topis. On the second day at sunrise, we captured one adult male impala and two adult female impalas. Later on during the day we rescued one adult female eland from a homestead and one adult female impala.
Conclusion and Reccomendation
The operation was successful. Elatia would also like hartebeest on their sanctuary. The Mara Vet recommended Elatia to consult the KWS, County Government-Maasai Mara National Reserve Management.
Case 2 – 20th May 2024
Elephant Arrow
Olkinyei Conservancy
The Mara Vet team attended to an adult male elephant in Olkinyei with an arrow wound on the left forelimb. The arrow had fallen off but had caused swelling of the entire forelimb causing compromised mobility.
Immobilisation, examination and treatment
A dart was prepared and he was successfully darted from a helicopter on the hind quarters with 16mgs Etorphine. After ten minutes, the elephant stopped moving and kept swaying from side to side. An attempt was made to physically bring down the elephant to lateral recumbency by pushing the elephant to one side. The efforts seemed futile, but after a few trials and with the help of a landcruiser, he went down on sternal recumbency.
The arrow was absent, but infection had set in. The wound was first thoroughly cleaned with Hydrogen peroxide, then water and finally Iodine was applied. Topical antibiotic was infiltrated into the wound and finally it was sprayed with Tetracycline. Systemically it was injected with 3,000mgs of Amoxicillin into two muscle sites and 40mgs Dexamethasone into the muscle.
Prognosis
The prognosis is good and monitoring continues
Case 3 – 22nd May 2024
Elephant Spear
Maji Moto Conservancy
A report was made to the Mara Mobile Veterinary Unit by KWS Narok station about the discovery of an elephant carcass within the Olaro area/Maji Moto Conservancy on the 21st May 2024.Veterinary services were requested to determine cause of the elephant’s death which was done on the 22nd May 2024.
Post-mortem Findings
The adult male elephant carcass was found on the right lateral recumbency with minimal degree of autolysis and putrefaction since the carcass was only one day old. He appeared to have been in good body condition prior to death. No signs of struggle before death at the scene. There was minimum scavenger activity on the carcass, likely by hyenas.
A puncture wound was found on the left thoracic region. The extent of the puncture wound was traced which revealed a massive pool of blood around the lungs and heart which were also punctured. The penetrating wound was caused by a high velocity sharp object in the intercostal space between the 4th and the 5th rib
Cause of Death
The findings indicate that the elephant’s death was caused by forcing a sharp spear through the thorax, puncturing the lungs and heart causing massive hemorrhage. The Narok KWS team continue to investigate
Lion
Natural Causes
Mara Triangle
Mara vet attended to an adult poisoned lion. He was hypersalivating, with a swollen face and highly swollen lower lip. The animal was in a lot of pain hence difficulty in feeding. The case was reported by Patrol Rangers and Narok officials and without any delay we swung into action.
Examination and treatment
After analysis of the animal’s condition a retreat was made and three darts (3mls) full of anti-inflammatory were administered remotely using a dart gun.
After treatment we observed the lion’s reunion with his brother. No anaesthesia was used due to the dire condition of the animal.
Prognosis
Good. Close monitoring of the lion is done to check on his progress.
