SWT/KWS MT. KENYA MOBILE VETERINARY UNIT
APRIL 2024
4 Cases in April
April Report by Dr.
Poghon J.
In April 2024, the SWT/KWS Mt. Kenya Veterinary Unit attended to 4 cases in the Mt. Kenya and Southern Laikipia area.
The veterinary team was involved in the translocation of a sub-adult male Grevy's Zebra from Loisaba Conservancy to Meru National Park. The zebra was accustomed to interacting with people, but it had later become aggressive Seven bushbucks that included 6 adults and 1 sub-adult were also translocated from Ol Pejeta Conservancy and Mt. Kenya Wildlife Conservancy to Solai. Finally, the veterinary team treated 2 security horses in Aberdare National Park.
Acknowledgement
The Mt. Kenya Mobile Wildlife Veterinary Unit thanks the Senior Assistant Director, Mountain Conservation Area and the Head of Veterinary Services, Kenya Wildlife Service for providing leadership and technical expertise. The veterinary team also appreciates The Sheldrick Wildlife Trust (SWT) for providing the financial and logistical support that enables the Unit to fulfil its mandate.
Case Details
1 HWC Case 100% Success Rate Date Species Area Found Reason for Intervention Outcome 10-Apr 24 Zebra Loisaba Conservancy HWC Relocation of an aggressive sub-adult male Grevy's Zebra Task Successful 12-Apr 24 Bushbuck Mt. Kenya Conservancy Relocation Translocation of 5 bushbucks (3 Female & 2 Male) from Mt. Kenya Conservancy to Solai Task Successful 12-Apr 24 Bushbuck Ol Pejeta Conservancy Relocation Translocation of 2 bushbucks (1 Female & 1 Male) from Ol Pejeta Conservancy to Solai Task Successful 19-Apr 24 Security Horse Aberdare N.P. Natural Causes Adult female security horse exhibiting dullness, inactivity, and anorexia Successfully treated 19-Apr 24 Security Horse Aberdare N.P. Natural Causes Examination and deworming of an adult female security horse Successfully treated
Introduction
SWT/KWS Mt. Kenya
Mobile Vet Unit Treatment Locations
April 2024
Human-Wildlife Conflict
Loisaba Conservancy
A male sub-adult zebra in Loisaba Conservancy that was accustomed to interacting with people was reported to have become aggressive.
Immobilisation, examination and translocation
The zebra was darted at 1253 hrs with a combination of 7 mg Etorphine hydrochloride and 100 mg Azaperone. The dart was discharged from a Dan-Inject® CO2 rifle, fired on foot when the animal was in proximity. The dart was landed on the musculature of the left hip. The zebra went into left lateral recumbency after 6 minutes.
It was blindfolded to prevent stimulation by light then 3,000mg Amoxicillin, 20 ml Multivitamin, and 80 mg Ivermectin were administered before the animal was loaded into a translocation crate. Anaesthesia was reversed with 150mg Naltrexone administered intravenously at 1307hrs. The zebra was up after 2 minutes.
The zebra was then translocated to Meru National Park, numerous stops were made along the way to check on it
10th April
Case 1 –
2024 Zebra
Case
Bushbuck Relocation
Mt. Kenya & Ol-Pejeta Conservancies
The SWT/KWS Mt. Kenya Mobile Veterinary Unit relocated 7 bushbucks (6 adults and 1 sub-adult) from Mt. Kenya Wildlife Conservancy and Ol-Pejeta Conservancy to Solai.
Immobilisation, examination and translocation
Each animal was approached on foot and darted with 3mg Etorphine hydrochloride combined with 10 mg Azaperone. 1 female and 1 male were captured in Ol-Pejeta Conservancy while 3 females and 2 males were captured in Mt. Kenya Wildlife Conservancy.
Anaesthesia reversal was achieved with 75mg Naltrexone administered intramuscularly before the bushbucks were loaded into a translocation crate. The animals were translocated to Solai, numerous stops were made along the way to check on them.
2 – 12th April 2024
Security Horse
Natural Causes
Aberdare National Park
An adult female security horse in Aberdare National Park was reported to be dull and inactive, it was lying down most of the time and was anorexic.
Examination and treatment
The horse was in poor body condition. Its last vaccination date was unknown, and deworming had been performed last in 2021. The horse was diagnosed with colic due to worm infestation and bloating caused by grazing on lush grass.
6,000mg Amoxicillin, 4,000mg Phenylbutazone, and 20ml Catosal were administered intramuscularly. Deworming and ectoparasite control were done with 100 mg Ivermectin administered subcutaneously and 1 tube of Ivermectin 1.2% combined with Praziquantel 15% per os.
Prognosis
The horse has a good prognosis. The veterinarian recommended that vaccination against African Horse Sickness, Rabies and Tetanus be done along with hoof trimming, shoe fitting and teeth filing. Additionally, he noted that the horse was too old and needed to be retired.
Case 3 – 19th April 2024
Security Horse
Natural Causes
Aberdare National Park
The SWT/KWS Mt. Kenya Mobile Veterinary Unit also examined and treated another adult female security horse in Aberdare National Park.
Examination and treatment
The horse was in fair body condition, it had a rough coat, untrimmed hooves and its teeth required filing. 6,000 mg Amoxicillin and 20 ml Catosal were administered intramuscularly for systemic cover Deworming and ectoparasite control were done with 100 mg Ivermectin injected subcutaneously and 1 tube of Ivermectin 1.2% combined with Praziquantel 15% per os.
Prognosis
The horse has a good prognosis. However, she is too old and needs to be retired.
Case 4 – 19th April 2024
