SWT/KWS Meru Mobile Veterinary Report for December 2024
DECEMBER 2024
7 Cases in December 2 Poaching Cases
December Report by Dr.
Aminga
Duncan
During the month of December, the Meru ecosystem flourished in vibrant greenery with vast stretches of grasslands providing a lush carpet across the landscape. Both seasonal and permanent rivers meandered gently through the area, their waters glistening under the sun. This abundant greenery and flowing water bring a hopeful outlook for the wildlife, ensuring they have ample forage and drink to sustain them through the season.
Amidst this verdant landscape, the SWT/KWS Meru Mobile Vet Unit team managed seven wildlife cases The team treated an adult elephant cow for a spear wound, attended to an injured female black rhino, provided veterinary care to an injured lioness named Dada and conducted elephant autopsies in Nasulu Conservancy, and Mugie Wildlife Conservancy. Furthermore, they performed an autopsy on a juvenile black rhino in Ol Jogi Wildlife Conservancy
Acknowledgement
We extend our heartfelt gratitude to Sylvie Chantecaille through the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust for their generous and unwavering support in funding the operations of the Meru Mobile Veterinary Unit Additionally, we would like to express our sincere appreciation to the Kenya Wildlife Service for their crucial role in providing effective managerial oversight through the KWS-Head of Veterinary Services and the Senior Assistant Director of the Eastern Conservation Area.
Case Details
2-Dec-24
8-Dec-24
Causes Wound on the right forelimb likely resulting from sharp stones based on the terrain
Black Ol Jogi Conservancy HWC
revealed ingestion of a polythene bag causing colic and death HWC Death 23-Dec-24
Causes Collared adult lioness named Dada seen limping on her right forelimb
December 2024
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Case
Elephant Spear Kalepo, Samburu
The Meru Vet Unit was alerted to a female elephant experiencing mobility issues in the Kalepo area.
Immobilisation, examination and treatment
The elephant was found in dense environment inaccessible by vehicle. She was silently approached on foot and darted on the right flank with 17mgs Etorphine. The drugs quickly took effect, and she went down on right lateral recumbency. She was noted to be in fair body condition of 3 out of 5.
Examination of the affected limb revealed a severe penetrating spear wound which had resulted in the fracture of the ulna bone. The wound was cleaned with water, debrided with Hydrogen peroxide and flushed with Iodine. Antibiotic pessaries were packed into the wound for slow release and sealed with green clay. Intramuscularly, the elephant received 30,000 mgs Amoxicillin and 1,500mgs Flunixin meglumine for the management of bacterial infection and inflammation respectively. She was observed to be lactating, raising concerns about the presence of a dependent calf and the Kalepo conservancy team was advised to monitor the area closely for any potential abandoned calves.
Prognosis
She was given a guarded prognosis due to the severity of the injury and suspected complications.
Elephant
Post-mortem
Nasulu Conservancy
On 7th December 2024, the Meru Mobile Veterinary Unit received a report of an elephant carcass sighted in Nasulu Conservancy, Isiolo County.
Postmortem Findings
The carcass was found lying on its right side, with no visible injuries. However, the right side was not thoroughly inspected due to challenges in repositioning the carcass. The elephant was observed to be in good physical condition, with a body condition score of 3.5 out of 5. Upon examination, an old, open fracture was identified at the carpal joint of the right forelimb. The articulating condyles of the ulna bone were exposed, eroded, and covered in dirt, suggesting frequent ground contact during ambulation. Upon internal examination, the carcass exhibited pale muscle tissue, indicative of dehydration. The thoracic cavity showed no notable abnormalities except for a small amount of pericardial fluid within the pericardial sac. The spleen was found to be congested, with pinpoint haemorrhagic areas. The stomach contained dry ingesta coated with mucus, while segments of the intestines were empty. The rectum was filled with dry faecal balls, with some blockage, accompanied by blood stains, suggesting the possibility of rectal impaction in the elephant.
Cause of death
The elephant had experienced a fractured limb, likely causing significant mobility challenges and restricted its ability to access water resulting in gastric and rectal impaction which were the primary cause of death.
Case 3 – 8th December 2024
Elephant Bullet Wound
Attan, Isiolo
On December 8, 2024, the Meru Mobile Veterinary Unit received a report of an elephant carcass discovered in Attan, Isiolo County.
Postmortem Findings
The carcass was discovered lying on its right side Evidence of scavenging was observed, notably the removal of penile tissue by scavengers, while the remainder of the carcass remained largely intact. The cutaneous examination of the left side revealed no significant external injuries. The carcass was determined to be in good body condition, with a score of 4 out of 5.
Upon internal examination, the carcass had generalized pallor of the organs and tissues, indicative of systemic hypovolemia. The spleen appeared pale and flaccid, with a loss of its normal firmness and structural integrity. The splenic parenchyma was disrupted, with visible blood clots. Within the thoracic cavity, there was a notable accumulation of blood within the pleural space. The left lung appeared pale and had lost its spongy texture. Conversely, the right lung was markedly heavy and oedematous. A visible laceration was observed on the right lung, suspected to have been caused by a projectile. However, the exact trajectory of the projectile could not be determined due to challenges in manipulating the carcass. Additionally, frothy, blood-tinged fluid was present within the bronchioles, and the lung parenchyma had diffuse haemorrhagic areas.
Cause of death
The post-mortem examination revealed that the elephant likely sustained a gunshot wound, which impacted the right lung (a critical organ) resulting in significant internal bleeding, respiratory distress, and eventual death.
Rhino Natural Causes
Borana Wildlife Conservancy
The Meru Mobile Vet Unit received a distressing report from the Lewa Conservancy veterinary team, highlighting an urgent situation concerning an injured female Black rhino in need of veterinary attention.
Immobilisation, examination and treatment
The rhino was found in a sloppy terrain and had a calf of about 2 years. To ensure the safety of the animal, she was herded using a helicopter from Lewa to an open ground easily accessible by vehicles and darted on the rump with 4mgs Etorphine and 80mgs Azaperone. The calf was driven a short distance using the helicopter while the drugs to ensure safety of the veterinary team during the intervention.
It was noted to have sustained a laceration wound on the lateral medial aspect of the right forelimb likely resulting from sharp stones based on the terrain. The wound was meticulously cleaned with water, and flushed with Iodine and sealed with green clay, known for its healing properties, followed by the application of a topical antibiotic spray. Intramuscularly, the rhinoceros received 15,000 milligrams of Amoxicillin and 3,000mgs of Flunixin meglumine and metabolic stimulators.
Prognosis
The rhinoceros was given a good prognosis for recovery and was reunited with the calf.
Case 5 – 19th December 2024
Black Rhino Human-Wildlife Conflict
Ol Jogi Ranch
On December 19, 2024, the Meru Mobile Veterinary Unit received a report regarding the sighting of a carcass of a juvenile black rhinoceros within Ol Jogi Wildlife Conservancy.
Postmortem Findings
The carcass was in a right lateral recumbent position, with both horns intact but detached from the skull due to scavenging activity. Evidence of scavenging was observed on the head, neck, thoracic region, and the perineal area.Externally, the rhinoceros appeared to be in good physical condition, with a body condition score of 3.5 on a scale of 5. Cutaneous examination of the carcass revealed claw marks on both the hind and forelimbs, with significant predation and scavenging noted on the cranial soft tissues and thoracic musculature. Internal examination revealed that the lungs and heart had been scavenged. The remaining organs exhibited early stages of autolysis but appeared grossly normal, with no notable pathological abnormalities. In the abdominal cavity, a polythene bag was identified within the stomach, obstructing the pylorus and consequently impairing normal digestive processes. The intestines were markedly congested and contained approximately 3 kilograms of sand.
Cause of death
The necropsy findings indicated that the juvenile rhino suffered from colic due to the ingestion of a polythene bag. This foreign material disrupted the normal digestive processes, increasing the animal's susceptibility to predation ultimately resulting in death
Lion
Natural Causes
Mugie Wildlife Conservancy
The Meru Vet team received news about an injured lioness with a tracking collar in Dada’s pride. They promptly initiated a search to find her, assess her condition, and provide the necessary veterinary care.
Immobilisation, examination and treatment
She was located in Laga ya Olkeju within Mugie Conservancy, accompanied by four other female pride members. Observations indicated she was limping on her right forelimb, necessitating veterinary intervention. The team cautiously approached her using a vehicle and administered 4mgs Medetomidine and 270 mgs Ketamine via a dart to the right neck muscles. Her pride members, startled by the action, moved a short distance away and watched patiently as the veterinary team provided care. She was fully sedated within 10 minutes and was secured and blindfolded to avoid ocular damage and visual excitation.
Examination of the affected limb revealed it was slightly swollen but the bone was intact. She was noted to have sustained a shoulder dislocation but was recovering well. Intramuscularly she received 500mgs of Flunixin meglumine and 15,00mgs of Cyanocobalamin for metabolic stimulation.
Prognosis
She rose up 15 minutes after reversal and slowly walked to re-join the rest of her pride. Prognosis is good .
Post-mortem
Mugie Wildlife Conservancy
On 26th December 2024, the Meru Mobile Veterinary Unit received a report of an elephant carcass sighted in Mugie Wildlife Conservancy.
Postmortem Findings
The carcass was found lying on its left side, and the tusks had already been retrieved by the KWS Rumuruti team for secure custody. Cutaneous examination of the right side did not reveal any notable injuries.
The integrity of the carcass had been significantly compromised by scavengers, with several organs missing, making a thorough autopsy difficult.
Cause of death
Due to advanced scavenger activity, definitive conclusion could not be drawn on the cause of death.
