SWT/KWS Meru Mobile Veterinary Report for August 2024
AUGUST 2024
4 Cases in August 3 Poaching Cases
August Report by
Dr. Aminga Duncan
1 Elephant Case
During August, the Meru Ecosystem experienced predominantly dry conditions, with only light showers occurring sporadically throughout the month. The vegetation in the region continued to deteriorate, with many areas exhibiting a loss of green coloration and patches of bare ground. Despite the general dryness, an intriguing phenomenon was noted: some rivers exhibited a mysterious increase in water levels, maintaining their flow even as the surrounding environment remained largely arid.
Encouragingly, there was a notable increase in sightings of baby giraffes and expectant mothers, offering hope for a rise in wildlife populations within the ecosystem. However, the positive developments were tempered by a rise in tsetse fly density and an ongoing challenge with wire snare poaching. All cases attended to by the Unit in Meru National Park during this period involved animals affected by poacher's snares.
During the month in question, the Vet team attended to three cases within Meru National Park: a female buffalo with a wire snare around the neck, which unfortunately succumbed to its injuries during treatment; a male hyena with a wire snare around the neck, which showed a good prognosis for recovery; and a male buffalo with wire snares around both the neck and right hind leg, also demonstrating a good prognosis for recovery. In Rumuruti Forest, the team performed an autopsy examination on the carcass of an elephant bull that was found to have died from injuries sustained during a territorial fight.
Acknowledgement
Veterinary Unit Sylvie Chantecaille for her continuous and generous financial support of the Meru Mobile Veterinary Unit, made possible through the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust. Your contributions have enabled our veterinary team to make a meaningful difference in conserving wildlife and their habitats within the Eastern Conservation Area. We also express our deep appreciation to the Kenya Wildlife Service for their essential oversight and logistical support. Thank you to everyone who supported us during our interventions.
Case Details
August 2024
Case 1 – 4th August 2024
Buffalo Snared
Meru National Park
The Unit was alerted by the SWT Meru De-Snaring Team regarding a female buffalo observed in a distressed state. The team promptly mobilized and proceeded to the location to administer essential veterinary care. Immobilisation, examination and treatment
The buffalo was found trapped in mud, exhibiting signs of distress and in a severely compromised body condition, as evidenced by prominent pelvic bones and visible ribs, which indicated prolonged malnutrition. To facilitate a thorough assessment, the animal was immobilized using a combination of 5mgs Etorphine and 50mgs Azaperone. It was then extricated from the mud with the assistance of a Land Cruiser. Once free, the buffalo was promptly secured and blindfolded to prevent ocular injury and minimize visual stimulation. Examination revealed pale and dry mucous membranes, indicative of anaemia and dehydration. A wire snare was found around the neck, deeply embedded into the tissues, causing severe injuries to the spinal column and damage to the trachea leading to the leakage of gas with each breath. Given the critical condition, time was of the essence. The snare was swiftly removed, and the wound was thoroughly cleaned with water. Maggots were manually removed, and the wound was irrigated with Hydrogen peroxide and Iodine, followed by the application of green clay and an antibiotic spray. The buffalo was administered intramuscular injections of metabolic stimulants, a long-acting antibiotic, and anti-inflammatory medications. Unfortunately, despite these interventions, the buffalo succumbed to its injuries during treatment.
Hyena Snared Meru National Park
Hyenas play a vital role in the wildlife ecosystem as apex scavengers, efficiently breaking down and consuming carcasses that might otherwise harbour diseases, thus contributing to disease control and nutrient cycling within the ecosystem. However, despite their adaptability and resilience, even these predators can fall victim to poachers' snares, leading to severe injuries. Such was the case with a male spotted hyena in Meru National Park. The Unit had sighted the hyena whilst on patrol in mid-June, but the hyena moved in dense vegetation and despite several attempts could not be darted. On August 15th, the hyena was found hiding inside a culvert within the park. The veterinary team then employed a tactical approach, successfully administering the necessary treatment.
Immobilisation, examination and treatment
A dart containing 6mgs Medetomidine and 150mgs Ketamine was prepared. The team cautiously approached the culvert on foot to minimize the risk of alarming the hyena, positioning the veterinarian at one entrance and the rest of the team at the other. However, the hyena bolted before the team could fully position themselves. To facilitate darting, a brief pursuit using a vehicle ensued, during which the hyena was successfully darted in the left neck muscles. The anaesthetic drugs took effect rapidly, and within three minutes, the hyena was fully sedated.
A wire snare was deeply embedded in the hyena's neck muscles causing severe injuries and impairing normal respiration and feeding due to the constriction of the trachea and oesophagus on the ventral side. The wire snare was carefully removed using wire cutters. The wound was thoroughly cleaned with water, flushed with Hydrogen peroxide and Iodine, and then covered with green clay. An antibiotic aerosol was applied to deter flies. Additional abrasion wounds on the shoulders were treated with Iodine and covered with an antibiotic aerosol. To manage bacterial infections and inflammation, the hyena received an intramuscular injection of 4,500mgs Amoxicillin and 40mgs Dexamethasone. He was also administered 1,500mgs Cyanocobalamin and a subcutaneous injection of 3mgs of Ivermectin for the control of endoparasites and ectoparasites.
Prognosis
The anaesthesia was reversed after 1.5 hours and the hyena was up in 2 minutes with a favourable prognosis.
Case 3 – 20
Buffalo Snared
Meru National Park
During a routine patrol within Meru National Park, the Unit observed a solitary male buffalo exhibiting signs of distress. The buffalo was in poor body condition, which was unusual given the availability of forage and water. Further inspection revealed that the buffalo had a wire snare tightly wound around its neck.
Immobilisation, examination and treatment
He was approached with a vehicle and darted on the left shoulder with 7mgs Etorphine and 80mgs Azaperone. The drugs took effect and after 7 minutes he was recumbent on his right side. He was blindfolded to prevent ocular damage and visual excitation and his body doused with water to aid with thermoregulation.
A second snare was discovered on his right hind leg proximal to the fetlock. The wire snare around the neck had caused only superficial abrasion wounds, which were treated and covered with antibiotic spray. However, the snare on the right hind leg had inflicted deeper injuries to the muscle tissue, though the underlying bone was unaffected. The wound was thoroughly cleaned with water, debrided with Hydrogen peroxide, flushed with Iodine, packed with green clay and sprayed with an antibiotic aerosol. The buffalo was intramuscularly administered with 6,000mgs Amoxicillin, 80mgs Dexamethasone sodium and 3,500mgs of Cyanocobalamin.
Prognosis
Following treatment, the buffalo rose and ran into the thickets nearby with a good prognosis for recovery. .
Elephant
Post-mortem
Rumuruti Forest
On the evening of 26th August 2024, the Meru Vet Unit received a report that a carcass of an adult male elephant had been seen in Rumuruti Forest with both of its tusks missing. The Meru Vet Unit in collaboration with the Nanyuki Mobile Vet Unit team left in the early morning of 27th August to carry out a postmortem.
Postmortem findings
The carcass was discovered lying on its right side, with both tusks missing. The body condition was assessed as good, with a rating of 4 on a 5-point scale. This evaluation was supported by the presence of welldeveloped muscle mass along the flanks. Additionally, there were no significant depressions, and fat accumulation was observed along the lumbar region of the backbone. The area surrounding the carcass exhibited significant disturbance of the local fauna and ground, indicating the possibility of a confrontation with another male. Upon examination of the cutaneous surface, multiple abrasion wounds were observed on the dorsal surface, as well as on the chest and left shoulder areas. Additionally, a deep penetrating wound approximately 20 inches in depth was noted on the left chest, accompanied by a stream of clotted blood at the site, suggesting severe haemorrhage.
Upon internal examination, it was observed that three ribs were fractured. There was a puncture in the left lung near the mid-section, which resulted in significant haemorrhaging. The diaphragm was also perforated, allowing abdominal contents to herniate into the thoracic cavity. Furthermore, the spleen was punctured leading to severe haemorrhage and was displaced into the thoracic cavity by the intestines. The heart remained intact, though only a small amount of pericardial fluid was present. The abdominal cavity was noted to have been affected; however, most of the organs did not exhibit any significant pathological changes, apart from those associated with post-mortem changes following the elephant's death.
Cause of death
The post-mortem examination revealed that the elephant bull sustained injuries to the thoracic cavity as a result of a confrontation with another elephant bull. These injuries affected vital organs, specifically the lungs and spleen, leading to excessive haemorrhage and subsequent death.
