SWT/KWS MERU MOBILE VETERINARY UNIT

APRIL 2023

Introduction

7 Cases in April 3 Poaching Cases 2 Elephant Cases

April Report by Dr. Aminga Duncan

Overcast skies and low temperatures characterized the days and nights in April, this was very conducive for herbivores. The Meru Conservation Area continued to receive substantial rainfall throughout the month resulting in an increase in forage and water for wildlife. The SWT-KWS Meru Mobile Veterinary Unit handled 7 cases in April. These include: an autopsy on a female elephant carcass in the Oldonyiro Area that had visceral organ infection; treatment of an adult male lion in Meru National Park for a contaminated puncture wound; de-snaring a female common zebra in Ol Maisor; and treating an elephant bull with spear and arrow wounds in Meru National Park. In Mwea National Reserve, the veterinary team treated 2 Rothschild female giraffes (a sub-adult and an adult) for injuries caused by wire snares; the team also carried out an autopsy on a female Rothschild giraffe carcass that had died from hypoxia and pregnancy-related complications.

Acknowledgement

Effective response and treatment of wildlife clinical cases is possible thanks to the funding the SWT-KWS Meru Mobile Veterinary Unit receives from Sylvie Chantecaille through the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust. The Veterinary Unit also appreciates the support it receives from other conservation partners and local communities. Additionally, the Unit would like to thank Kenya Wildlife Service for providing managerial oversight through the Senior Assistant Director – Eastern Conservation Area and the Head – Kenya Wildlife Service Veterinary Department.

Case Details

April

Elephant Natural Causes Oldonyiro Area, Isiolo County

The Meru Mobile Veterinary Unit performed an autopsy on an adult female elephant carcass in the Oldonyiro Area to determine the cause of death.

Post-mortem findings

The female elephant was reported to be recumbent, anorexic, and presented with signs of lower abdominal pain as well as generalized weakness. Given the animal’s poor prognosis for recovery it was euthanized to alleviate further pain and suffering. The elephant was in poor body condition poor (body score of 2), the animal’s pelvic bone was protruding, and the backbone was prominent. Scavengers had opened the proximal ventral abdomen consuming three-quarters of the heart and some portions of the intestines. The skin was also examined, and no significant cutaneous injuries were discovered. Pathological examination revealed sizeable omental abscesses without evidence of intestinal perforation or a residual foreign body. Crosssectional cuts on the abscesses disclosed massive amounts of pus (approx. 2 litres). The abscesses had become entangled with a section of the intestine causing congestion of the omental blood vessels. Different sections of the intestines were found with dry intestinal contents due to impaired enterocinesia.

Cause of Death

Intra-abdominal abscesses as consequences of visceral organ infection leading to sepsis and death.

Lion Natural Causes Meru National Park

The Meru Veterinary Unit came across a pride of lions that had just fed on a kill. Upon closer examination, they noticed that the adult male in the pride had a contaminated puncture wound near the base of the tail.

Immobilisation, examination and treatment

The lion was darted from a vehicle with 10 mgs Medetomidine and 300 mgs Ketamine. The drugs took effect 5 minutes later with the lion lying on its left side. The lion was then secured, blindfolded and placed under the shade to shield it from the scorching sun. It was also doused with water to enhance cooling. The contaminated puncture wound was at the base of the tail on the animal’s left flank. It was believed that the lion sustained the injury while hunting. The wound was infested with maggots that had infiltrated the skin and burrowed deeply into the subcutaneous tissues. The maggots were manually removed with forceps then the wound was debrided with Hydrogen peroxide, flushed with Iodine, packed with green clay, and covered with an antibiotic spray. Long-acting antibiotics, anti-inflammatories and metabolic stimulators were administered intramuscularly while 10 mgs Ivermectin was injected subcutaneously to manage ectoparasites and endoparasites. Anaesthesia was successfully reversed with 15 mgs Atipamezole one-hour post-darting.

Prognosis

The lion has a good prognosis

Zebra Snared Ol Maisor, Laikipia

Julia Francombe reported an adult female common zebra in the Ol Maisor Area with a rope snare on the left forelimb.

Immobilisation, examination and treatment

The zebra was found in dense bush, and the approaching vehicle caused it to flee. However, when the opportunity presented itself, the animal was darted with 7 mgs Etorphine and 80 mgs Azaperone. The dart landed on the zebra’s right rump, and within 5 minutes the anaesthesia had taken effect. To avoid ocular injury and visual excitement, the zebra was blindfolded. The zebra was also doused with water to cool its body. The rope snare on the animal’s left forelimb was cut off with a sharp knife. Fortunately, the snare had not inflicted any serious injury. The abrasion wounds were cleaned with water, flushed with Iodine, and covered with an antibiotic spray. To control inflammation, 40 mgs Dexamethasone sodium was administered alongside metabolic stimulators. 100 mgs Naltrexone was then administered via the jugular vein to reverse the anaesthesia, and 2 minutes later, the zebra sprang up and ran off.

Prognosis

The zebra has a good prognosis.

Elephant Spear & Arrow Meru National Park

The Senior Warden, Meru National Park (Mr. Kitavi Kaloki) reported seeing a seriously injured elephant bull near the Elsa Kopje Camp.

Immobilisation, examination and treatment

The injured bull was found in deep vegetation alongside another male. The elephants were approached by vehicle then the injured bull was darted with 15 mgs Etorphine on the left thigh muscles. The drugs took effect 10 minutes later with the elephant going down in right lateral recumbency The animal was doused with water before performing a physical examination. Arrow and spear wounds were observed on the elephant’s right hindlimb's carpus and metacarpus respectively. Additionally, the left forelimb's wrist and elbow both bore arrow wounds. The wounds were cleaned with water and checked for foreign bodies. None was found. The wounds were then debrided with Hydrogen peroxide, flushed with Iodine and infused with Oxytetracycline pessaries. Green clay was packed into the wounds then they were covered with an antibiotic spray. 30,000 mgs Amoxicillin and 120 mgs Dexamethasone sodium were administered intramuscularly before anaesthesia was reversed with 250 mgs Naltrexone. The bull rose 3 minutes later and walked away.

Prognosis

The bull has a poor prognosis for recovery due to tissue damage to the carpal joint of the right forelimb.

Giraffe Snared Mwea National Reserve

The Meru Veterinary Unit received a report from Mwea National Reserve about Rothschild giraffes that were observed with severe lameness from what seemed to be snare injuries on their limbs.

Immobilisation, examination and treatment

The female sub-adult giraffe was found in a tower of 10 giraffes, it was darted from a vehicle with 15 mgs Etorphine and 40 mgs Azaperone. After 6 minutes, the drugs had taken effect and the giraffe was expertly roped to the ground. Anaesthesia was reversed then the animal was physically restrained by pinning its head and neck to the ground. The giraffe was also doused with water to cool its body A snare wound was observed on the animal’s left forelimb, but the snare had fallen off. The wound was cleaned with water, debrided with Hydrogen peroxide, and flushed with Iodine. To treat bacterial infections and keep flies away, an antibiotic spray was applied onto the wound. 80 mgs Dexamethasone sodium and 15,000 mgs Amoxicillin were also administered intramuscularly before the anaesthesia was reversed with 250 mgs Naltrexone. The giraffe stood 4 minutes post-reversal and ran away.

Prognosis

The giraffe has a good prognosis.

Giraffe Snared Mwea National Reserve

After attending to the sub-adult female Rothschild giraffe highlighted under Case 5, the Meru Veterinary Unit was alerted about another lame adult female Rothchild giraffe in a different herd of 7 giraffes.

Immobilisation, examination and treatment

The giraffe herd was found in deep bush, they were herded into an open area where the lame giraffe was darted from a vehicle with 15 mgs Etorphine and 40 mgs Azaperone. The dart landed, but it did not fully discharge the drugs. Therefore, the giraffe was darted again with the same dosage a short while later. The drugs took effect 5 minutes after the 2nd dart landed and the animal was roped to the ground. Anaesthesia was reversed then the animal was physically restrained by pinning its head and neck to the ground Snare wounds were observed on the giraffe’s right forelimb and right hindlimb during physical examination, but no wire snares were found embedded in the wounds. The wounds were cleaned with water, flushed with Hydrogen peroxide and Iodine, and covered with an antibiotic spray. 6,000 mgs Amoxicillin and 100 mgs Flunixin meglumine were administered to treat bacterial infection and inflammation respectively.

Prognosis

The giraffe has a good prognosis