SWT/KWS MT KENYA MOBILE VETERINARY UNIT JULY 2023
Introduction
7 Cases in July
2 Rhino Cases
3 HWC Cases
July Report by Dr. Jeremiah Poghon The SWT-KWS Mt. Kenya Mobile Veterinary Unit, based at the KWS Laikipia Station, attended to 7 wildlife veterinary emergencies in the greater Laikipia, Mountain, Meru and Tsavo Conservation Areas. The team immobilized and treated a sub-adult male leopard for bruises. The leopard was captured after preying on livestock in Doldol, Laikipia County. On separate occasions, 2 adult male rhinos (1 black rhino and 1 white rhino) in Ol Pejeta Conservancy were treated for multiple territorial fight wounds. A huge elephant bull in Giriama ranch, Tsavo was also treated for open wounds on the right front limb and neck. In other cases, 2 mountain bongos were treated for lameness at Mt Kenya Wildlife Conservancy and an adult male common zebra was euthanized after suffering a complete fracture of the left hind limb when it broke into the new mountain Bongo sanctuary in Marania, Meru County. Acknowledgement The Mt. Kenya Wildlife Veterinary Unt acknowledges 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 Sheldrick Wildlife Trust (SWT) for providing the financial and logistical support that enables the Unit to deliver its mandate.
Case Details Date
Species
Area Found
Reason for Intervention
Outcome
06-Jul 23
Rhino
Ol Pejeta Conservancy
Natural Causes
Adult male black rhino with traumatic wounds from a territorial fight
Successfully treated
09-Jul 23
Bongo
Mt. Kenya Conservancy
Natural Causes
Severely lame adult female mountain bongo named Lilian with overgrown hooves
Prognosis Poor
13-Jul 23
Elephant
Giriama Ranch
HWC
Lame elephant bull in Giriama Ranch
Successfully treated
14-Jul 23
Leopard
Doldol, Laikipia
HWC
Treatment and translocation of a sub-adult male leopard captured after killing goats
Task successful
17-Jul 23
Rhino
Ol Pejeta Conservancy
Natural Causes
Adult male white rhino with traumatic wounds from a territorial fight
Successfully treated
22-Jul 23
Bongo
Mt. Kenya Conservancy
Natural Causes
Lame adult female bongo named Dhahabu injured during a fight with another bongo
Successfully treated
24-Jul 23
Zebra
Marania Conservancy
HWC
Adult male common zebra with a complete fracture of the left hind leg
HWC Death
SWT/KWS Mt. Kenya Mobile Vet Unit Treatment Locations July 2023
Case 1 – 06th July 2023 Black Rhino
Natural Causes
Ol Pejeta Conservancy
On 6th July 2023, Ol-Pejeta Conservancy rangers reported that a male black rhino had suffered several traumatic injuries on the left hindlimb and face after a territorial fight with another male black rhino. Immobilisation, examination and treatment The injured rhino was isolated and darted with a combination of 4.5 mgs Etorphine and 80 mgs Azaperone. The animal went down on right lateral recumbency after the drugs took effect 7 minutes post-darting. To reduce the risk of respiratory depression, 10 mg Butorphanol tartrate was administered intravenously immediately after recumbency. Additionally, oxygen was administered intranasally throughout the immobilization period to increase blood oxygen levels. The animal was also positioned in sternal recumbency to facilitate respiration. The rhino was in generally good body condition. However, there was a minor puncture wounds at the left eye, wounds were also observed on the neck extending down to the right forelimb, and around the genitals including the prepuce and the perineum. Long-acting Amoxicillin antibiotics and Flunixin meglumine anti-inflammatories were administered intramuscularly then the wounds were debrided with Hydrogen peroxide and disinfected with Iodine. Chlortetracycline pessaries were inserted into the wounds which were then packed with green clay and covered with Alamycin aerosol spray. Opticlox eye ointment was used to treat eye infections. After treatment, anaesthesia was successfully reversed with 100 mg Naltrexone hydrochloride. The rhino was released into the conservancy. Prognosis The black rhino has a good prognosis. Dr. Poghon recommended translocations are considered in future to reduce competition for limited space.
Case 2 – 09th July 2023 Bongo
Natural Causes
Mt. Kenya Wildlife Conservancy
Conservancy rangers reported that an adult female mountain bongo named Lilian was lame. Immobilisation, examination and treatment Lilian was darted from a vehicle and immobilized with 4 mg Etorphine and 20 mgs Azaperone. Upon assuming recumbency, she was blindfolded, and doused with water to cool her body. During the treatment respiration was closely monitored. To reduce the risk of respiratory depression 10 mg Butorphanol tartrate was administered intravenously immediately Lilian was recumbent. Oxygen supplementation was also administered intranasally throughout the immobilization period. She was also placed in sternal recumbency to further facilitate respiration. Lilian’s body condition was generally good. Her lameness was caused by overgrown hooves that were trimmed and cleaned. 10 ml Oxytetracycline, 20 ml Flunixin meglumine,20 ml Buparvaquone, 20 ml Furosemide, and 10 ml multivitamin were administered. A blood sample was also collected from the jugular vein and ear vein for diagnosis of haemoparasites. Anaesthesia was reversed with 100 mg Naltrexone hydrochloride. Lilian was released into the conservancy when she regained consciousness. Prognosis Lilian has a guarded prognosis.
Case 3 – 13th July 2023 Elephant
Human – Wildlife Conflict
Giriama Ranch
The Agiriama community and the Tsavo KWS team reported seeing a lame adult elephant bull in Kulalu near a water point. The Mt. Kenya Veterinary Unit was asked to attend to the case since the Tsavo Veterinary Unit was off duty. SWT flew the Vet from Nanyuki to Tsavo with a fixed wing aircraft and provided a helicopter to facilitate safe darting of the injured bull elephant from the air. Immobilisation, examination and treatment The elephant was darted with 18 mg Etorphine hydrochloride and assumed left lateral recumbency after 7 minutes. The elephant’s general body condition was fair. There was an open wound on the right forelimb at the level of the carpal joint, and another wound on the neck. The injury on the right forelimb was suspected to have been caused by a sharp object mounted on the animal’s path. The wounds were thoroughly cleaned with water, debrided with hydrogen peroxide, and disinfected with Iodine. 500 ml Amoxicillin antibiotics, 40 ml Flunixin meglumine and 300 ml Clindamycin were administered intramuscularly. 60 ml Flunixin meglumine was also administered intravenously. Antibiotic pessaries and green clay were inserted into the wounds then a topical antibiotic cream was applied. Anaesthesia was successfully reversed with 360 ml Naltrexone. Prognosis The elephant bull has a good prognosis.
Case 4 – 14th July 2023 Leopard
Human – Wildlife Conflict
Doldol, Laikipia County
On 14th July 2023, community members reported that a leopard had killed several goats in the Doldol area. Rangers in charge of the community area successfully baited and trapped the leopard. Immobilisation, examination and treatment The sub-adult male leopard was sedated with 150 mgs Ketamine and 2 mg Medetomidine for collection of samples. The animal assumed right lateral recumbency 6 minutes post-darting and was blindfolded. During the procedure, vital parameters were monitored to ensure they were within the normal range. The general body condition of the leopard was good. Ticks were observed on the animal’s body and samples were collected from the gluteal perineum, neck, and groin region. The collected ticks were placed in specimen bottles and preserved in 70% Ethanol for parasitology analysis. Blood samples were also collected in sterile EDTA tubes and plain tubes for bio-banking, blood chemistry, and serum chemistry. After sample collection, 5 ml Amoxicillin and 5 ml Dexamethasone were administered intramuscularly. The leopard was returned to the cage an hour post-darting and revived with 1 ml Atipamezole hydrochloride administered intramuscularly. The animal regained consciousness 7 minutes later and was ready for translocation to Loisaba Conservancy.
Case 5 – 17th July 2023 Rhino
Natural Causes
Ol Pejeta Conservancy
This adult male southern white rhinoceros suffered traumatic injuries during a territorial fight. Immobilisation, examination and treatment The rhino was darted with 4 mgs Etorphine and 80 mgs Azaperone. It assumed right lateral recumbency when the drugs took full effect. To reduce the risk of respiratory depression, 10 mg Butorphanol tartrate was administered intravenously upon recumbency. Additionally, oxygen was administered intranasally throughout the immobilization period. The animal was also positioned in sternal recumbency to facilitate respiration. The rhino was generally in good body condition. However, deep puncture wounds were observed on the groin area of the hind limbs, and around the genitals including the prepuce and the perineum. The wounds were debrided with Hydrogen peroxide and disinfected with Iodine. Chlortetracycline pessaries were inserted into the wound then Bentonite clay was applied as a detoxifying agent. 80 ml Amoxicillin and 40 ml Flunixin meglumine were administered intramuscularly, an additional 40 ml Flunixin meglumine was administered intravenously. A blood sample was collected from the jugular vein for blood chemistry analysis and haematology analysis. Anaesthesia was then reversed with 100 mg Naltrexone IM and 50 mg IV. Prognosis The black rhino has a good prognosis. Dr. Poghon recommended translocation should be considered in future. etition.
Case 6 – 22nd July 2023 Bongo
Natural Causes
Mt. Kenya Wildlife Conservancy
Conservancy rangers reported Dhahabu, an adult female mountain bongo, was lame. Immobilisation, examination and treatment Dhahabu was darted from a vehicle with 5 mgs Etorphine hydrochloride and 20 mgs Azaperone. She assumed left lateral recumbency when the drugs took effect 4 minutes later. To reduce the risk of respiratory depression, 5 mg Butorphanol tartrate was administered intravenously immediately after recumbency. Oxygen supplementation was also administered intranasally. Additionally, Dhahabu was positioned in sternal recumbency, and her neck elevated to assist in respiration and prevent regurgitation and aspiration pneumonia. Dhahabu had a generally good body condition. However, an infected puncture wound was observed on the left hindlimb. The wound was cleaned with Hydrogen peroxide and water, all pus and necrotic material was removed then the wound was disinfected with Iodine, covered in green clay, and sprayed with Alamycin Aerosol. 20 ml Amoxicillin and 20 ml Flunixin meglumine were administered intramuscularly, while 5 ml Ivermectin and 10 ml multivitamin were administered subcutaneously. Additionally, 10 ml Curafluke was given orally. Anaesthesia was reversed with 120 mg Naltrexone. Prognosis Dhahabu has a good prognosis. Dr. Poghon recommended dehorning bongos recurrently involved in fights. onsidered.
Case 7 – 24th July 2023 Zebra
Human – Wildlife Conflict
Marania Conservancy
An adult male common zebra was reported to have broken into the new Mararania Mountain Bongo fence and suffered a broken left hind limb. Immobilisation and examination The severely injured zebra was found trying to move in vain. The animal was immobilized with 6 mgs Etorphine and 60 mgs Azaperone. The drugs took effect 8 minutes later. Physical examination revealed a complete fracture of the left hind limb. Unfortunately, repair of fractured long bones is difficult in equines especially wild adult Zebra. Given the zebra’s poor prognosis, it was euthanized to alleviate further pain and suffering. The Zebra’s carcass was disposed of in Mt Kenya forest. Prognosis The zebra had a poor prognosis for recovery and was put to rest to alleviate further pain and suffering.