SWT/KWS Meru Mobile Veterinary Report for November 2022

Introduction

8 Cases in November

November Report

by Dr. Aminga Duncan

1 Big Cat Case 5 Elephant Cases

In the Meru ecosystem, November marked the beginning of the long rains after a prolonged drought. River water levels rose significantly, and forage for wildlife increased significantly across the region. The SWT-KWS Meru Mobile Veterinary Unit attended to 8 clinical cases in November; 5 of these cases involved elephants, 2 cases involved reticulated giraffes, and 1 case involved a lion.

Acknowledgement

Every animal life saved gives the Meru Mobile Veterinary Unit immeasurable satisfaction. The Unit is grateful to Sylvie Chantecaille for providing funding through the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust. Additionally, the Vet Unit appreciates the interest shown in its work by other conservation partners, local communities, and the Kenya Wildlife Service through the Senior Assistant Director - Eastern Conservation Area, and the Head - Kenya Wildlife Service Veterinary Department. All the assistance provided to the Meru Mobile Veterinary Unit is greatly appreciated. Thank you.

Case Details

Date Species Area Found

Reason for Intervention Outcome

01-Nov 22 Elephant Imenti Forest Natural Causes Found recumbent and unable to get up. Died. Drought complications.

02-Nov 22 Elephant Loisaba Conservancy Natural Causes Juvenile male elephant with ambulatory difficulties. Successfully treated.

02-Nov 22 Elephant Loisaba Conservancy Arrow Elephant cow with an arrow wound on the neck. Successfully treated.

03-Nov 22 Elephant Ol-Maisor, Laikipia HWC

Juvenile male elephant with multiple bullet wounds on the right hindlimb Successfully treated.

17-Nov 22 Elephant Meru N.P. Postmortem Adult male elephant carcass found in the Bernard Brown Swamp area. Natural causes.

27-Nov 22 Giraffe Meru N.P. Snared Adult female giraffe with a wire snare on its right hind leg Successfully treated.

27-Nov 22 Giraffe Meru N.P. Natural Causes Adult male giraffe seen with an abnormal gait Task successful.

27-Nov 22 Lion Meru N.P. Natural Causes Young adult lioness seen with ambulatory difficulties Successfully treated.

Elephant Natural Causes Nchoroiboro Area - Imenti Forest

The Senior AD- Eastern Conservation Area, Capt. Obrein informed the Meru Veterinary Unit of this recumbent female elephant in need of veterinary intervention.

Immobilisation, examination and treatment

The elephant was found in right lateral recumbency with extensive damage to the vegetation around it indicating that it was struggling to get up. The tubercles of the iliac crest were prominent on both the left and right sides, and the orbital fossae were depressed indicating malnutrition. The elephant was frail, it had a distended abdomen, it was stretching its hindlimbs and neck, and grinding it teeth which are all clinical signs of abdominal pain. The elephant’s body was doused with water to reduce hyperthermia, intravenous fluids (Dextrose, normal saline, and Ringer's lactate) were then given to counter dehydration, electrolyte imbalance, and low glucose levels. When the elephant had regained some energy, an attempt was made to assist it to rise. However, it was too weak to stand, and it died shortly thereafter while undergoing treatment. The post-mortem examination carried out thereafter found marked diffuse subcutaneous edema; approximately 3 litres of yellow turbid fluid in the peritoneal cavity; significant worm overload in the cecum; and no visible subcutaneous or visceral fat reserves. A section of the cecum had everted into the proximal colon, impeding normal peristalsis. The elephant died from cecocolic intussusception which was caused by a lack of water, a high impact of intestinal worms, and a sudden change in diet.

Elephant Natural Causes–Case 2; Arrow–Case 3 Loisaba Conservancy

Immobilisation, examination and treatment

The juvenile elephant was found with its protective mother therefore both elephants were immobilized for the safety of the veterinary team. The mother was approached by vehicle and darted with 15 mgs Etorphine. The dart landed on the hip muscles, and fully immobilized the elephant within 5 minutes. The juvenile elephant was approached on foot while it guarded its mother, it was darted on the right rump with 6 mgs Etorphine which resulted in complete immobilization in 7 minutes. The juvenile elephant had an elbow joint subluxation, this was corrected then 60 mgs Dexamethasone sodium and 4,500mg Oxytetracycline antibiotics were administered intramuscularly The young bull was up and walking 3 minutes after anaesthesia was reversed with 75 mgs Naltrexone. When attending to the mother, the vet discovered an old arrow wound on the right neck muscles. The wound was cleaned with water, debrided with Hydrogen peroxide, flushed with Iodine, infused with Amoxicillin antibiotics, and covered with an antibiotic spray. The mother rose 2 minutes after anaesthesia reversal with 200 mgs Naltrexone.

Prognosis

Both mother and calf have a good prognosis for full recovery

Mr. Daniel Yiankere from Loisaba Wildlife Conservancy reported this case.

Elephant Human-Wildlife

Conflict Ol-Maisor Area, Laikipia

Immobilisation, examination and treatment

The elephant was found in an area with dense vegetation cover limiting access by vehicle. The juvenile male was therefore approached discreetly on foot and darted on the left rump with 6 mgs Etorphine. The drugs took effect after 6 minutes with the elephant in left lateral recumbency. The right hindlimb was examined and found to have 3 bullet wounds at 3 inches deep, 5 inches deep, and 7 inches deep No foreign material was found in the wounds. The wounds were debrided with Hydrogen peroxide, flushed with Iodine, and packed with Oxytetracycline pessaries and green clay. An antibiotic spray was also applied on the treated wound to keep flies away. To manage bacterial infections, inflammation and pain, 6,000 mgs Amoxicillin and 1,500 mgs Flunixin meglumine were given intramuscularly. The elephant was up and about in 2 minutes after anaesthesia was reversed with 100 mgs Naltrexone.

Prognosis

This elephant has a guarded prognosis due to tissue damage in the right knee joint

This juvenile male elephant had multiple bullet wounds on the right hindlimb attributed to human-wildlife conflict

Elephant Post-mortem Meru National Park

The Meru Mobile Veterinary Unit was informed about an adult male elephant carcass found in the Bernard Brown Swamp area. An autopsy was carried out to determine the cause of death.

Post-mortem findings

The carcass was found lying on its right side. It was in the fourth stage of decomposition; internal organs had been scavenged, and other body parts were in advanced autolysis. The sole of the right forelimb and hindlimb had worn away extensively. Both tusks were recovered and placed in the custody of KWS.

Cause of death

The carcass was in a late stage of autolysis with most of the internal organs scavenged limiting sample collection and determination of the cause of death. However, a gross examination of the carcass revealed no significant injuries, the elephant's death was therefore attributed to natural causes.

Giraffe Snared Meru National Park

Immobilisation, examination and treatment

The giraffe was approached by vehicle and darted on the right hip muscles with 13 mgs Etorphine hydrochloride and 40 mgs Azaperone tartrate. It was completely immobilized 5 minutes post-darting; the giraffe was then manually restrained by pinning the head and neck to the ground The wire snare on the left hind leg was cut off, thankfully no injuries had been sustained in that area of the leg. The giraffe also had multiple snare-related injuries on the left hind leg and right front leg which were debrided with Hydrogen peroxide and found to be wire-free. Swellings on the posterior end of the stricture lines were discovered to be viable and well-blooded, they were flushed with iodine and covered with green clay and antibiotic spray. The giraffe was doused in water to keep it cool. 6,000 mgs Oxytetracycline and 100 mgs of Dexamethasone sodium was administered intramuscularly, thereafter anaesthesia was reversed with 275 mgs Naltrexone injected into the jugular vein. The giraffe was up 2 minutes post-reversal.

Prognosis

The giraffe has a good prognosis

Mr. Wanjau, Head - Sheldrick Wildlife Trust Meru Rhino Sanctuary Fence Monitoring and Maintenance team, informed the Meru Mobile Veterinary Unit about this female giraffe with a wire snare on its right hind leg

Giraffe Natural Causes Meru National Park

After attending to the snared giraffe under case 5, the Meru Mobile Veterinary Unit continued their routine park patrol. The team came across a giraffe bull with an abnormal gait in a tower of 10 giraffes, weakness was noted on the animal’s right front limb necessitating closer examination.

Examination

The giraffe was approached by vehicle to monitor its gait. The carpal joint of the right forelimb was observed to move abnormally which was suspected to be due to a defect in bone formation. The vet decided not to anaesthetize the giraffe because the conformity of the affected limb posed anaesthetic risks.

Prognosis

The giraffe has a favourable prognosis since it was in good physical condition, and it seemed to have adapted to surviving with the condition.

Lion Natural Causes

Meru National Park

Elsa's Kopje tour guides reported that they had seen a young adult lioness with ambulatory difficulties, they suspected that the lioness had been injured by a buffalo.

Immobilisation, examination and treatment

The lioness was darted with 8 mgs Medetomidine and 300 mgs Ketamine on the left neck muscles. Complete immobilization was achieved 15 minutes post-darting. Stable sedation was maintained during treatment. There were fresh puncture wounds on the lioness's inner right thigh muscles and left front paw. The wounds were cleaned with water, irrigated with Iodine, and infused with Oxytetracycline antibiotic powder 1,500 mgs Amoxicillin, 5 mgs Ivermectin, and Meloxicam were given parenterally. After one and a half hours, anaesthesia was reversed with 12 mgs Atipamezole administered intramuscularly. The lioness stood up and walked away slowly 2 minutes post-reversal.

Prognosis

The lioness has a good prognosis for recovery due to early intervention.