SWT/KWS Mt Kenya Mobile Veterinary Report for June 2024
SWT/KWS MT KENYA MOBILE VETERINARY UNIT
JUNE 2024
June Report by
Dr. Jeremiah Poghon
During the month of June 2024, the Mt Kenya Wildlife Veterinary Unit attended to 12 wildlife cases that required veterinary intervention in the Southern Laikipia and Mt. Kenya region.
Some of the wildlife veterinary cases attended to include dehorning of a Southern White rhino and translocation of a Southern White rhino in Ol Jogi Conservancy, collaring of baboons at Mpala Research Centre, removal of snares from two plains zebra at El Karama, necropsy of a chimpanzee at Sweetwaters Chimpanzee Sanctuary. Additionally, treatment and translocation of a male and female Mountain bongo at Mount Kenya Wildlife Conservancy, treatment of a Black rhino at Loisaba Conservancy, a postmortem examination of an elephant bull at Ol Jogi, treatment of an elephant with a sprained forelimb at Segera Conservancy and finally treatment and translocation of a Southern White rhino at Meru 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. 12 Cases in June 3
Case Details
Date
1-Jun-24
1-Jun-24
Species Area Found
Rhino White Ol Jogi Conservancy Technical Cases Rhino bull that needed de-horning after injuring and killing several rhinos Task Successful
Rhino White Ol Jogi Conservancy Relocation Young rhino returned to the wild after spending time in a boma due to injuries
15-Jun-24 Antelope Mt. Kenya Wildlife Conservancy Relocation
17-Jun-24 Rhino Black Loisaba Conservancy Natural Causes
26-Jun-24 Elephant Ol Jogi Conservancy Postmortem
27-Jun-24 Antelope Mt. Kenya Wildlife Conservancy Natural Causes
5 adult male and 1 adult female baboon were captured and collared
Adult male common zebra with a loose wire snare around its neck
Adult male common zebra with a tight wire snare around the neck that had caused deep wound around the neck muscles
Task Successful
Task Successful
Successfully Treated
Successfully Treated
A 21-year-old male chimpanzee, died suddenly after suffering a bout of diarrhoea Died
A bongo was moved into Mawingu Sanctuary in May. He was unable to adapt to his new environment which led to a significant decline in his body condition
Poor
Re-treatment of an adult male black rhino named had been translocated to Loisaba Conservancy and attacked by lions and treated in January Prognosis Poor
A two-day old adult elephant carcass was reported. Post-mortem was inconclusive Died
The adult female mountain bongo had lameness of the left hindlimb. She was treated and relocated to another boma
Poor
29-Jun-24 Elephant Segera Conservancy Natural Causes Elephant bull exhibiting lameness on the right forelimb most likely due to a sprain Successfully Treated
30-Jun-24
Rhino White Meru National Park Bullet Wound
The juvenile female rhino had strayed out of the Meru Rhino Sanctuary. On examination, she was found to have a penetrating gunshot wound Successfully Treated
June 2024
Case 1 – 1st June 2024
Rhino White Technical Cases
Ol Jogi Conservancy
This white rhino bull had shown aggressive behaviour towards other rhinos, injuring and killing several rhinos during territorial fights.
Immobilisation, examination and treatment
The rhino was darted with 5.5mg Etorphine hydrochloride in combination with 80mg Azaperone, delivered using a Dan-Inject® CO2 rifle, fired from a vehicle. The dart was delivered on the musculature of the left rump. Induction time was 6 minutes and the rhino went into right lateral recumbency. A blindfold was then applied to prevent stimulation by light. Butorphanol 25mg was administered intravenously and oxygen insufflation started intranasally to improve cardio-respiratory function. A second dose of 25mg Butorphanol was administered intravenously as well as 2mg Diprenorphine was administered at to improve respiration.
A chainsaw was used to trim off the sharp the tip of the front horn and a transmitter was fixed into the back horn. Blood (EDTA) and an ear punch were collected from the rhino.
Prognosis
Reversal was done at half an hour after immobilisation with 150mg Naltrexone intravenously and 75mg intramuscularly. The rhino was up after 3 minutes.
Rhino White Relocation
Ol Jogi Conservancy
The rhino had been placed in a boma to facilitate healing after her mother died and she was attacked and wounded by a bull rhino.
Immobilisation and relocation
The rhino was darted at 13:11hrs with 4.5mg Etorphine hydrochloride in combination with 60mg Azaperone, delivered using a Dan-Inject® CO2 rifle, fired from a vehicle. The dart was delivered on the musculature of the right shoulder. The dart was ineffective, and the rhino was darted a second time at 13:34 hours with 4.5mg Etorphine hydrochloride in combination with 60mg of Azaperone, delivered using a Dan-Inject® CO2 rifle, fired from a helicopter. Induction time was 4 minutes and the rhino went into sternal recumbency.
A blindfold was applied to prevent stimulation by light. Butorphanol 50mg was administered intravenously and oxygen insufflation started intranasally to improve cardio-respiratory function. Reversal was done at 13:58hrs using 100mg of Naltrexone intravenously and 50mg intramuscularly. The rhino was up after 1 minute and was loaded into the tranlocation crate. The crate was hoisted and secured on the lorry at 1407hrs.
Release
The rhino was released into the larger conservancy area at 14 44 hours, where she walked away from the crate quietly..
Case 3 – 2nd June 2024
Baboon Collared Mpala Research Centre
Collaring of baboons was done at the request of the Mpala Research Centre.
Immobilisation and collaring
The baboons were captured using cuboidal mesh cages with a trap door. Dry maize was used as bait. Chemical immobilisation was achieved by use of Ketamine (200mg for males and 150mg for females) combined with Medetomidine (0.6mg for males and 0.5mg for females), administered intramuscularly through injection by hand. A total of 5 males and 1 female were captured. Two males were captured and collared on 2nd June and 3 males and 1 female on 3rd June.
After going down the baboons were retrieved from the cage traps, placed on a table, their cheek pouches emptied and monitoring of anaesthesia done. Solar powered collars with a drop off mechanism were fitted on the necks of the immobilised baboons. Samples collected include blood, a fecal swab, fur and parasites. Measurements of the neck, limbs and crown-rump length were taken.
Release
The baboons were placed in recovery cages and 2.5mg Atipamezole hydrochloride administered intramuscularly. Once the baboons were fully conscious they were released back into the wild.
Case 4 – 14th June 2024
Zebra Snared
The stallion was reported to be having a loose snare around the neck.
Immobilisation, examination and treatment
The zebra was darted at 11:22 hrs with 7mg Etorphine hydrochloride in combination with 60mg Azaperone delivered using a Dan-Inject® CO2 rifle, fired from a vehicle. Induction time was 6 minutes and the zebra went down into left lateral recumbency. A blindfold was applied to prevent stimulation by light.
On examination, the animal had a good body condition (score of 4 out of 5). The snare was cut off using a wirecutter and upon removal there was no wound present on the neck.
Prognosis
Reversal was done at 11:33hrs using 150mg Naltrexone intravenously and the animal was up and running in 2 minutes. Prognosis was good.
El Karama Ranch
Case 5 – 14th June 2024
Zebra Snared
El Karama Ranch
The stallion was reported to have a tight snare around the neck that had resulted into a deep wound around the neck muscles. The zebra also had deep scratches on the gluteal muscles of both hindlimbs possibly from an attack by a predator.
Immobilisation, examination and treatment
The zebra was darted from a vehicle with 7mg Etorphine combined with 60mg Azaperone. The dart was delivered on the musculature of the left thoracic region. Induction time was 6 minutes and the zebra went down into right lateral recumbency. A blindfold was applied to prevent stimulation by light.
On examination, the animal had a good body condition (score of 4 out of 5). The wound around the neck and the scratch wounds on the gluteus were infected. The wounds were scrubbed using dilute Hydrogen peroxide, rinsed and irrigated with Iodine, green clay was packed into the wounds then topical Oxytetracycline spray applied. Systemic cover was done using; 3,000mg Amoxicillin (I.M), 4,000mg Phenylbutazone (I.M) and 20mls Multivitamin (I.M).
Prognosis
Reversal was done using Naltrexone and the animal was up and running in 1 minute with a good prognosis.
Chimpanzee Post-mortem
Ol Pejeta Conservancy
George, a 21-year-old male chimpanzee, residing at the Old Chimps house (Eastern population), was reported with inappetence on the evening of 13th June 2024 during the evening meal despite having eaten breakfast and lunch well and having an active day with the other chimpanzees. He only drank water and a few minutes later passed very loose stool (diarrhoea) while in the nighttime facility. Despite the diarrhoea, he was noted to be alert and responsive to being called and with intermittent movements within the house.
Medical intervention
Following the report, George was immediately started on 200mg Trimethoprim and 800mg Sulfamethoxazole (Septrin suspension) given orally at approximately 18.00hr. At 21:00hr, oral Diloxanide furoate and Metronidazole was administered to further address the diarrhoea. Additionally, he willingly drank 750ml of water containing vitamin C effervescent tablets. He was observed throughout the night and noted to be okay.
His condition seemed better on the morning of 14th June 2024, as he was more alert, moving around the cage and physically “displaying” the urge to be let out. The morning dosage of 200mg Trimethoprim, 800mg Sulfamethoxazole plus Metronidazole was administered successfully without challenges at approximately 07.00 AM. He also drank 500ml of water with vitamin C effervescent 1gram tablet. He was isolated within the holding facility while all other chimpanzees were released into the enclosures. He had a bout of diarrhoea shortly after isolation.
He collected food from the caregiver but did not eat it. At approximately 8:10 AM, George's condition suddenly and rapidly deteriorated. He began to exhibit signs of severe distress, including extreme discomfort and laboured breathing. Despite the prompt and concerted efforts of the team to administer cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), their attempts were unsuccessful.
Postmortem
The carcass was given a normal condition score of 3.5/5 while the skin was normal with no swellings or cuts.
Thoracic cavity:
• There was scanty amount of straw-coloured fluid in the pleural cavity.
• A moderate quantity of froth was present at the trachea and bronchi.
• The tracheal rings were haemorrhagic.
• The lung tissue was relatively normal with few pin-point haemorrhagic lesions.
• There was slight edema on the lungs with no congestion.
• The external surface of the heart had petechial haemorrhages.
• The pericardial fluid was slightly increased.
Abdominal cavity:
• The mesentery had highly congested vessels.
• The liver was enlarged, jaundiced and had a cooked appearance.
• The gall bladder was enlarged and appeared to have areas of bruising.
• The kidneys were enlarged with vascular congestion in medulla.
• The spleen was congested with diffuse ulcerative lesions on the surface.
• The gastrointestinal tract from the stomach to colon was markedly haemorrhagic.
• The stomach was full of haemorrhagic fluids.
• The mucosal linings of the stomach, intestines and colon had extensive mucoid haemorrhagic ulcerations
• Several congested sections on the lining of the oesophagus.
Sampling – multiple samples were collected and delivered to various laboratories.
Cause of Death
Diagnosis:
Per acute haemorrhagic gastro-enteritis
Nature of occurrence
The autopsy findings describe an acute haemorrhagic gastroenteritis which is a sudden and severe inflammatory condition characterized by bleeding in the stomach and intestines.
Causes of this could be as a result of ingestion of a toxin releasing infectious (bacteria/viral) or a toxin releasing non-infectious substrate (plant, insect, amphibian). Such toxins can cause significant damage to the intestinal lining leading to increased intestinal lining permeability, allowing fluid, plasma proteins, and red blood cells to leak into the intestinal lumen, leading to dehydration and haemoconcentration with potentially life-threatening complications.
Bacterial causes of haemorrhagic gastroenteritis might include an enterotoxaemia from E. coli, Clostridium spp., Salmonella spp., or Shigella spp.
Unfortunately, there are no pictures for this case
Case 7 – 15th June 2024
Bongo
Relocation
Mt Kenya Wildlife Conservancy
Janmosi was moved from Midforest 1 Boma to Mawingu Sanctuary on 3rd May 2024 as part of the Mountain bongo rewilding program. He was unable to adapt to his new environment which led to a significant decline in his body condition. He was also observed to have developed partial blindness.
Immobilisation, examination and treatment
The mountain bongo was darted from foot with 4mg Etorphine hydrochloride in combination with 30mg Azaperone. The dart was delivered on the musculature of the left hindlimb, but it did not discharge fully. A blindfold was applied to prevent stimulation by light and oxygen insufflation started intranasally to improve cardio-respiratory function. The bongo remained standing therefore it had to be restrained physically and walked to the loading site. A blood sample was collected, and thin blood smears were made. Systemic cover was done using; 3,000mg Amoxicillin (I.M) and 40mg Dexamethasone (I.M), 20ml Multivitamin (I.M) and 50mg Ivermectin (S.C).
Relocation
The bongo was placed on a stretcher then loaded into the translocation vehicle. Monitoring of anaesthesia was done enroute to the release site and 15mg Butorphanol was administered intravenously. Prognosis is guarded when it comes to restoration of the bongo's sight.
.
Case 8 – 17th June 2024
Rhino Black Natural Causes
Loisaba Ranch
Donald was translocated from Ol Pejeta to Loisaba in January 2024. He was attacked by lions shortly after release which left him with a penetrating wound on the hock of the left hindlimb and deep bite wounds and abrasions on the back and torso. He was treated on 28th January 2024 and the wounds on the torso and the back were reported to have healed but the penetrating wound on the left hock persisted and was constantly being pecked at by oxpeckers Lameness of the left hindlimb was also persistent.
Immobilisation, examination and treatment
The rhino was darted from a helicopter with 4mg Etorphine hydrochloride combined with 60mg Azaperone. The first dart malfunctioned so a second dart was fired. Induction time was 6 minutes, 10mg Butorphanol was administered intravenously, and the rhino was roped and placed in right lateral recumbency. The previously deep penetrating wound on the left hock had healed, leaving only two open wounds each about 1 inch deep. However, the area around the left hock was still swollen and slightly infected. A superficial wound was present on the stifle of the left hindlimb. The wounds were cleaned with dilute Hydrogen peroxide and Iodine, Oxytetracycline pessaries and green clay were packed into the wounds then topical Oxytetracycline spray applied. The rhino was given 15,000mg Amoxicillin (I.M), 8,000mg Phenylbutazone (I.M) and 40ml Butasal (I.M.) as well as wo tubes of Equipaste orally.
Prognosis
Prognosis is guarded due to damage to the Achilles tendon.
Post-mortem
A two-day old adult elephant carcass was reported to have been found at Ol Jogi Conservancy.
Postmortem examination
The animal submitted for necropsy was an adult male elephant. The postmortem interval was estimated to be approximately 2 days.
The carcass was lying in left lateral recumbency.
The head, the abdomen, all internal organs, perineum and the right hindlimb had been eaten away by scavengers, mainly vultures.
The carcass was turned to the right for examination of wounds and pathology but none was observed.
Cause of death
Cause of death could not be determined due to extensive scavenger activity. . .
Ol Jogi Ranch
Case
Bongo Natural Causes
Mount Kenya Wildlife Conservancy
An adult female mountain bongo was reported to be having lameness of the left hindlimb.
Immobilisation, examination and treatment
The Mountain bongo was darted from foot with 5mg Etorphine in combination with 30mg Azaperone Induction time was 4 minutes and the bongo went into sternal recumbency. A blindfold was applied to prevent stimulation by light and oxygen insufflation started intranasally to improve cardio-respiratory function. 10mg Doxapram was administered to improve respiratory function.
On examination, there was inflammation of the fetlock of the left hindlimb, but no external wound was observed. Aspiration was done at the swollen area using a needle and syringe but no aspirate was observed. The swollen fetlock and the interdigital space of the left hindlimb were irrigated with Iodine and topical oxytetracycline spray applied. Systemic cover was done using; 2,000mg Gentamicin (I.M) and 8,000mg Phenylbutazone (I.M) and Multivitamin 20ml (I.M).
Prognosis
The bongo was placed on a stretcher then loaded into the translocation vehicle. Monitoring of anesthesia was done enroute to the release site and 15mg Butorphanol given intravenously. Prognosis is guarded.
.
Elephant Natural Causes
Segera Conservancy
An elephant bull at Segera Conservancy was reported to be having lameness on the right forelimb.
Immobilisation, examination and treatment
The elephant was darted at 16:54 hrs with 18mg Etorphine hydrochloride delivered using a Dan-Inject® CO2 rifle, fired from a vehicle. The dart was delivered on the left rump. The induction time was 7 minutes, and the elephant went into right lateral recumbency. The elephant was roped and turned to left lateral recumbency to facilitate examination of the right forelimb.
On examination, the animal had a good body condition (score of 4 out of 5). There was no swelling or open wound on the right forelimb therefore the elephant most likely had a sprain on the right forelimb. Phenylbutazone 20,000mg was administered intramuscularly.
Prognosis
Reversal was done at 17:19 hrs using 400mg of Naltrexone intravenously and the elephant was up in 2 minutes. Prognosis is good.
Case
Rhino White Bullet Wound
The juvenile female rhino had strayed out of the Meru Rhino Sanctuary.
Immobilisation, examination and treatment
Meru National Park
The rhino was darted from a helicopter with 4mg Etorphine combined with 60mg of Azaperone. Induction time was 7 minutes, and the rhino went into left lateral recumbency. Butorphanol 50mg and Doxapram 20mg were administered and oxygen insufflation started intranasally to improve cardio-respiratory function. She was found to have a penetrating gunshot wound slightly above the shoulder region, with an entry point on her right side and an exit point on the left. The wound was not life-threatening as there was no severe damage internally and the entry point had started to heal. The wound was scrubbed with Hydrogen peroxide, irrigated with Iodine, Cloxacillin ointment and green clay were packed into the wounds then Oxytetracycline spray applied. The rhino was given 15,000mg Amoxicillin, 8,000mg Phenylbutazone and 20ml Butasal.
Subsequently, the rhino was ear notched
Relocation and prognosis
The anesthetic was reversed and the rhino was up after 1 minute and loaded into the tranlocation crate. The crate was hoisted and secured on the lorry then released back into the Meru Rhino Sanctuary. Prognosis is good and she is expected to settle in well and her progress will be monitored.
