SWT/KWS Mt Kenya Mobile Veterinary Report for May 2024
SWT/KWS MT. KENYA MOBILE VETERINARY UNIT
MAY 2024
8 Cases in May
May Report by
Dr. Poghon J.
In May 2024, the SWT/KWS Mt. Kenya Mobile Veterinary Unit attended to 8 wildlife cases in the Southern Laikipia and Mt. Kenya region. The team treated an elephant bull with a bullet wound at Ol Donyiro, and an adult male black rhino in Lewa Conservancy with wounds sustained during a territorial fight. Furthermore, the team attended to a snared buffalo in Sagana and a snared zebra at Camp David. The Veterinary Unit also treated a reticulated giraffe with dystocia at Aberdare Lodge and translocated several animals during the month. 2 lions were captured, collared, and translocated from Loisaba Conservancy to Soysambu Conservancy while 22 mountain bongos in Mt. Kenya Wildlife Conservancy were relocated from bomas to wild sanctuaries within the conservancy. Additionally, the team translocated 7 waterbucks from Mt. Kenya Wildlife Conservancy to Tindress Wildlife Conservancy.
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
3-May-24
& 6
May 2024
Case 1 – 03rd May 2024 to 09th May 2024
Bongo Relocation
Mt. Kenya Wildlife Conservancy
Celebrations of the 20th anniversary of The Mt. Kenya Wildlife Conservancy’s Bongo Breeding and Rewilding Program involved translocating 22 Mountain bongos from bomas to wild sanctuaries within the conservancy.
Immobilisation, examination and treatment
The animals were approached on foot, the adults were darted with 6mg Etorphine and 30mg Azaperone while sub-adults were darted with 4mg Etorphine and 20mg Azaperone. Blood, faecal samples, rectal swabs and ticks were collected. Prophylactic treatment was administered to all Mountain bongos. Adult males received 3,000 mg Amoxicillin and 20mg Dexamethasone intramuscularly while sub-adult males were given 2,250mg Amoxicillin and 20mg Dexamethasone. 2,250mg Amoxicillin and 4,000mg Phenylbutazone was administered to the adult and sub-adult females. All animals received 20ml Multivitamin intramuscularly and 50 mg Ivermectin subcutaneously. A flumethrin pour on- Bayticol® was also applied topically on the Mountain Bongos prior to release
Relocation and revival
The animals were placed on a stretcher then loaded into the translocation vehicle. Monitoring of anaesthesia was done enroute to the release site. Reversal of anaesthesia was achieved with 150mg Naltrexone administered intravenously. All 11 male and 11 female ountain bongos were successully relocated.
Waterbuck Relocation
Mt. Kenya Wildlife Conservancy
The SWT/KWS Mt. Kenya Mobile Veterinary Unit translocated 7 waterbucks (1 male and 6 females) from Mt. Kenya Wildlife Conservancy to Tindress Wildlife Conservancy.
Immobilisation, examination and relocation
The waterbucks were darted with Etorphine hydrochloride in combination with Azaperone, delivered using a Dan-Inject® CO2 rifle, fired on foot while near the animals. Male waterbucks were darted with 7mg Etorphine in combination with 100mg Azaperone while females were darted with 6mg Etorphine and 80mg Azaperone.
When the drugs took effect, the waterbucks were placed on a stretcher and loaded into a crate. 4,000 mg Phenylbutazone was administered intramuscularly before anaesthesia was reversed with the intravenous administration of 150mg Naltrexone for the male and 125 mg Naltrexone for the females. The waterbucks were translocated to Tindress Wildlife Conservancy and numerous stops were made along the way to check on them.
Case 3 – 16th May 2024
Elephant Bullet Wound
Ol Donyiro, Laikipia
An elephant bull was reported to have lameness on the left forelimb caused by a gunshot wound.
Immobilisation, examination and treatment
The elephant was approached on foot and darted with 18mg Etorphine hydrochloride on the right rump. It assumed left lateral recumbency 7 minutes later. The animal was found to be in fair body condition (score of 3 out of 5). It had a small penetrating wound on the left forelimb distal to the elbow joint that was infected and oozing pus. No foreign objects were found in the wound. The wound was flushed with dilute Hydrogen peroxide and rinsed with Iodine. Oxytetracycline pessaries and green clay were packed into the wounds then topical Oxytetracycline spray applied. The animal was turned onto its right side for examination of the lateral side of the limb. There was a slightly infected laceration distal to the elbow joint, which was scrubbed with Hydrogen peroxide, rinsed with Iodine, packed with Oxytetracycline pessaries and green clay then sprayed topically with Oxytetracycline 20,000mg Oxytetracycline, 16,000mg Phenylbutazone, and 40 ml Catosal were administered intramuscularly before anaesthesia was reversed with 375mg Naltrexone given intravenously. The elephant stood 2 minutes later.
Prognosis
The elephant bull has a guarded prognosis.
Case 4 – 17th May 2024
Buffalo Snared
Sagana State Lodge
A snared adult female buffalo was reported to be in sternal recumbency in the forest at Sagana State Lodge. The buffalo had become trapped after the metal gate attached to the snare on the left forelimb was caught in a thicket.
Immobilisation, examination and treatment
The buffalo was approached on foot and darted with 9mg Etorphine hydrochloride and 80 mg Azaperone. The dart landed on the musculature of the left hip. An additional 2 mg Etorphine was administered intramuscularly. The animal was blindfolded to prevent stimulation by light.
It was in good body condition (score of 4 out of 5). The snare was just above the hoof of the left forelimb, a slightly infected wound was observed where the snare bound the limb. The snare was cut loose with wire cutters then the wound was scrubbed with Hydrogen peroxide, rinsed with Iodine, packed with green clay and sprayed with Oxytetracycline topically 3,000mg Amoxicillin and 4,000mg Phenylbutazone were administered intramuscularly. Reversal was achieved with 250mg Naltrexone administered intravenously.
Prognosis
The buffalo has a good prognosis
Case 5 – 19th May 2024
Rhino Natural Causes
Lewa Conservancy
A 28-year-old adult black rhino named Lucky was reported to have been injured in a territorial fight.
Immobilisation, examination and treatment
Lucky was darted from a helicopter with 4mg Etorphine and 60mg Azaperone on the musculature of the left rump. He went into sternal recumbency when the drugs took effect after 6 minutes. Lucky was blindfolded and 5mg Butorphanol administered intravenously. Oxygen insufflation was started intranasally to improve cardio-respiratory function and Butorphanol was further administered at an interval of 5mg then 10mg intravenously. 20mg Doxapram was administered intravenously to improve respiratory function.
Lucky was in fair body condition (score of 3 out of 5). He had a penetrating wound on the ventral right side of the mandible and some superficial wounds on the neck, right forelimb and torso. The wounds were slightly infected. They were scrubbed with Hydrogen peroxide, rinsed with Iodine, and packed with Oxytetracycline pessaries and green clay before being sprayed with Oxytetracycline topically 15,000mg Amoxicillin and 8,000mg Phenylbutazone were given systemically.
Prognosis
Anaesthesia was reversed and he was up and running 2 minutes post-reversal with a good prognosis.
Case 6 – 20th May 2024
Giraffe Natural Causes
Aberdare Lodge
Aberdare Lodge staff reported sighting a Reticulated giraffe that was having difficulty calving. The giraffe’s attempt at calving was unsuccessful and only 2 limbs of the calf were seen protruding from the vulva for more than 24 hours.
Immobilisation, examination and treatment
The giraffe was darted from a vehicle with 15mg Etorphine hydrochloride and 30 mg Azaperone. The dart landed on the musculature of the right shoulder and induction time was 9 minutes. The giraffe assumed right lateral recumbency, 300mg Naltrexone was administered intravenously immediately after recumbency to reverse anaesthesia then ropes were used to secure the hindlimbs.
Upon examination, the calf was found to be oedematous and in a posterior presentation. A rope was tied around the calf’s hindlimbs, and traction was applied. The calf was expelled successfully. Oxytetracycline pessaries were placed in the uterus, and 8,000mg Oxytetracycline, 80mg Dexamethasone, and 40ml
Multivitamin were administered intramuscularly.
Prognosis
The giraffe has a good prognosis.
Human-Wildlife Conflict
Loisaba Conservancy
2 adult male lions were identified for translocation since they were preying on cattle in Loisaba Conservancy, and they also posed a threat to the recently translocated black rhinos.
Immobilisation, collaring and translocation
A callback system was used to lure the lions to the darting site. Both lions were darted from a vehicle with 300mg Ketamine in combination with 8mg Medetomidine. Once the drugs had taken effect, they were blindfold to prevent stimulation by light.
Anaesthesia was topped up for the 1st with 100mg Ketamine administered 38 minutes post darting, another 200mg was administered intramuscularly 6 minutes later. Topical Oxytetracycline spray was applied on the fight wounds on the 1st lion. The 2nd lion received 150mg Ketamine and 4mg Medetomidine 57 minutes postdarting and an additional 200mg Ketamine administered intramuscularly 15 minutes later. For both lions, Cloxacillin (Opticlox®) was infused into the dart wound and topical Oxytetracycline spray applied. A collar was fitted on the neck of each lion. The lions were then loaded onto a stretcher and transferred to a metal cage in the translocation lorry. Anaesthesia was reversed with 4mg Atipamezole for each lion. Both lions were translocated to Soysambu Conservancy and successfully released.
Case
An adult female common zebra was reported to be lame on the left hindlimb due to a wound caused by a tight snare at the fetlock.
Immobilisation, examination and treatment
The zebra was darted from a vehicle with 7mg Etorphine hydrochloride combined with 60mg Azaperone. The dart was delivered on the musculature of the right hindlimb. Induction time was 7 minutes, and the zebra went down into right sternal recumbency.
The animal was in good body condition (score of 4 out of 5). The wound at the fetlock of the left hindlimb was slightly infected. The wound was scrubbed with Hydrogen peroxide, rinsed with Iodine, and packed with green clay. Oxytetracycline spray was then applied topically. Systemically, 8,000mg Oxytetracycline, 4,000mg Phenylbutazone and 20mls Multivitamin were administered. Anaesthesia was reversed with 150mg Naltrexone administered intravenously. The animal was up after 1 minute.
