SWT/KWS Meru Mobile Veterinary Report for September 2024

SEPTEMBER 2024

3 Cases in September 2 Poaching Cases

September Report by Dr. Aminga Duncan

1 Rhino Case

The month of September was characterized by extreme temperature fluctuations during the day and at night accompanied by clear skies. Wild animals have dispersed in search of forage and water due to widespread depletion of grass cover, and the drying up of most seasonal rivers and waterholes. Consequently, incidents of human-wildlife conflict have increased, as animals move beyond protected areas into human settlements in search of sustenance.

Over the reporting period, the SWT/KWS Meru Mobile Veterinary Unit responded to 3 wildlife cases, all within Meru National Park. The team treated a male white rhinoceros suffering from a filarial wound and injuries sustained in a territorial fight with a good prognosis for recovery. Additionally, they attended to a male spotted hyena with a wire snare tightly constricting its neck that was successfully treated with a good prognosis for recovery. Unfortunately, in another case, a necropsy conducted on a female spotted hyena revealed she had succumbed to injuries caused by a wire snare that had fatally constricted her neck.

Acknowledgement

We are deeply grateful to Sylvie Chantecaille for the ongoing generous financial support given to the Meru Mobile Veterinary Unit through the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust. This support ensures that wildlife species within and beyond the Eastern Conservation Area receive prompt veterinarian treatment. We also thank Kenya Wildlife Service for providing oversight and logistical support under the leadership of the Senior Assistant Director-Eastern Conservation Area and the Head of KWS-Veterinary Services Department. Furthermore, we appreciate tour guides at Elsa's Kopje for reporting wildlife emergencies, and all the individuals who provided steadfast support during veterinary interventions.

Case Details

September 2024

Rhino Natural Causes

Meru National Park

This injured male white rhino was suspected to have sustained injuries during a territorial fight.

Immobilisation, examination and treatment

The rhino was found in a densely vegetated area, it was herded to a more open and vehicle-accessible location with assistance from a KWS helicopter. The animal was darted on the left rump with 4 mgs Etorphine and 50 mgs Azaperone. Within 5 minutes, the rhinoceros was in sternal recumbency. He was promptly secured, blindfolded, and the darting site infused with an antibiotic ointment and covered with antibiotic spray. 50 mgs Butorphanol tartrate was administered intravenously to counter the adverse effects of Etorphine. Intranasal oxygen insufflation was also initiated to support cardiorespiratory function. Additionally, the animal’s body was doused with water to facilitate thermoregulation. The rhino was in fair body condition (score of 3/5). A filarial wound, measuring approximately 10 inches in width and 14 inches in length was observed on the left rump

The wound had been exacerbated by a recent territorial fight. Additionally, the rhino had abrasion wounds on the flanks, legs, rump, and ventral neck regions. The abrasion wounds were cleaned with water, irrigated with Iodine, and covered with an antibiotic aerosol. The major wound was irrigated with water, debrided with Hydrogen peroxide, and necrotic tissues excised. The wound was then flushed with Iodine, packed with green clay, and covered with an antibiotic spray to deter flies and promote healing. Blood samples, tick samples, and tissue samples were collected for laboratory analysis. 30,000 mgs Amoxicillin, 2,000 mgs Flunixin meglumine, and 4,000 mgs Cyanocobalamin were administered intramuscularly. Additionally, 15 mgs Ivermectin was administered subcutaneously before anaesthesia was reversed with 100 mgs Naltrexone administered intravenously; an equivalent dose was given intramuscularly to prevent re-narcotization. The animal regained consciousness after 3 minutes and slowly walked back into the dense thickets.

Prognosis

The rhino has a good prognosis for recovery.

Case

Hyena Snared

Meru National Park

The Deputy Commander Mr. David Koech reported the sighting of a snared adult male spotted hyena.

Immobilisation, examination and treatment

The hyena was found resting in a shaded area. It was darted from a vehicle on the left neck muscles with 6 mgs Medetomidine and 300 mgs Ketamine. Within 3 minutes, it was fully sedated. The animal was promptly secured, blindfolded, and doused with water to aid in thermoregulation. Additionally, the hyena was moved to a shaded area and an ophthalmic ointment applied to the eyes to prevent corneal drying. Upon physical examination, a wire snare was found tightly embedded around the hyena's neck causing severe injuries. The snare had constricted the trachea and oesophagus impairing both respiration and feeding. The snare was carefully removed with wire cutters and the resultant wound cleaned with water, flushed with Hydrogen peroxide and Iodine, covered with green clay and an antibiotic aerosol applied. 3,500 mgs Amoxicillin, 40 mgs Dexamethasone sodium, 1,650 mgs Cyanocobalamin, and 3 mgs Ivermectin were administered Anaesthesia was reversed 1 hour later with 25 mgs Atipamezole administered intramuscularly.

Prognosis

The hyena has a good prognosis for recovery.

Case 3 – 27th September 2024

Hyena Snared

Meru National Park

During the late evening hours on 22/09/2024 a tour guide from Elsa’s Kopje reported sighting a spotted hyena in poor body condition with a wire snare tightly constricting the neck. The Veterinary team quickly mobilized and rushed to the said location but efforts by the team to immobilize and treat her that evening were unsuccessful as she retreated into dense vegetation and could not be located overnight. Over the course of the week, the team continued the search without success On 27/09/2024, the snared hyena’s carcass was found in an advanced stage of autolysis with a crocodile poised to scavenge.

Post-mortem findings

The carcass was estimated to be approximately 3 days old, as most internal organs had begun to undergo liquefaction. The animal was in a state of poor body condition, as evidenced by the pronounced visibility of the pelvic bones and inadequate muscle and fat coverage, suggesting that the hyena had experienced prolonged malnutrition. Additionally, the tissues were observed to be pale, indicative of anaemia. The hyena had a wire snare tightly constricting its neck. Upon removal of the snare, it was noted that the wire had inflicted severe injury to the cervical vertebrae and had completely severed both the trachea and oesophagus impairing its ability to breathe and feed. Furthermore, the wound had become severely infected. The injuries sustained from the wire snare compromised her ability to feed and breathe, ultimately resulting in her death. Additionally, a systemic infection contributed to overall bodily weakness and the failure of her vital organs.