SWT/KWS Mt Kenya Mobile Veterinary Report for November2022

SWT/KWS MT. KENYA MOBILE VETERINARY UNIT NOVEMBER 2022

Introduction

13 Cases in November

November Report by Dr. Dominic

3 Big Cat Cases

4 Rhino Cases

Mijele

In November 2022, the Mt. Kenya Mobile Veterinary Unit attended to all reported wildlife emergencies requiring veterinary intervention in the Laikipia ecosystem and the Mt. Kenya region. The Unit attended to 15 cases in November, these included 4 rhino cases, 3 big cat cases, 7 bongo cases, and 1 elephant case. Notably, the Veterinary Unit supported the capture and translocation of 4 southern white rhinos at Ol Pejeta Conservancy as part of the surrogacy program for assisted reproduction of northern white rhino; de-snared a serval cat in a village adjacent to Ol Pejeta conservancy; treated and translocated mountain bongos from Mt Kenya Wildlife Conservancy to the newly established Mawingu Mountain bongo sanctuary; and rescued a 2-month-old abandoned white rhino calf from Solio Ranch.

Acknowledgement

We greatly appreciate the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust (SWT) for its continued support which enables the Mt Kenya Veterinary Unit to respond promptly to wildlife emergencies and offer lifesaving treatment.

Date Species Area Found

Reason for Intervention

Outcome

08-Nov 22 Rhino Ol Jogi Ranch Natural Causes An adult male black rhino named Athi had sustained wounds during a territorial fight. Successfully treated

09-Nov 22 Rhino Solio Ranch

Natural Causes An adult male white rhino was recumbent after sustaining territorial fight wounds. Successfully treated

10-Nov 22 Lion Mugie Ranch HWC

Collaring an adult lioness notorious for livestock depredation and decollaring of an older lioness Task successful.

11-Nov 22 Bongo Mt. Kenya Conservancy Natural Causes Harper, a sub-adult female mountain bongo, had a dull coat, poor gait and diarrhoea. Successfully treated.

11-Nov 22 Bongo Mt. Kenya Conservancy Natural Causes Taifa, a sub-adult female mountain bongo, had a dull coat, poor gait and diarrhoea. Successfully treated

14-Nov 22 Bongo Mt. Kenya Conservancy Natural Causes Female mountain bongo with an abscess on the left jaw. Successfully treated

14-Nov 22 Serval Cat Ol Pejeta Conservancy Snared

Adult female serval cat caught in a wire snare in a village adjacent to Ol Pejeta Successfully treated

23-Nov 22 Elephant Loldiaga Hills Natural Causes Adult female elephant exhibiting lameness on the right front limb. Died 25-Nov 22 To 27-Nov 22 Bongo Mt. Kenya Conservancy Relocation Translocation of 11 mountain bongos Task successful

27-Nov 22 Bongo Mt. Kenya Conservancy Natural Causes Nehema, an adult female mountain bongo, was dull, had diarrhoea and was recumbent Successfully treated

27-Nov 22 Rhino Solio Ranch Rescue

Abandoned 2-months-old female white rhino calf Task successful

28-Nov 22 Bongo Mt. Kenya Conservancy Natural Causes Repeat treatment on Tikki, an adult male mountain bongo, with fight wounds. Successfully treated

28-Nov 22 Bongo Mt. Kenya Conservancy Natural Causes

An adult male mountain bongo, named Mjukuu, was reported to be limping Successfully treated

SWT/KWS Mt. Kenya Mobile Vet Unit Treatment Locations November 2022

Rhino Natural Causes Ol-Jogi Ranch

The Ol Jogi team reported that an adult male black rhino named Athi had sustained wounds during a territorial fight.

Immobilisation, examination and treatment

Athi was darted from a helicopter with 4 mgs Etorphine and 60 mgs Azaperone, the dart landed on the right rump muscles. He assumed left lateral recumbency when the drugs took effect 5 minutes later after which he was physically restrained. Treatment and anaesthesia monitoring was done simultaneously. 15 mgs Butorphanol IV and Oxygen supplementation were administered for optimal breathing. Athi had a body condition score of 2/5. He had multiple superficial wounds on the abdominal area, inguinal region, and rump. A foot collar was fitted on the left front limb to help in post-treatment monitoring. 15, 000 mgs Amoxicillin, 1,000 mgs Flunixine meglumine, and 40 mls Multivitamin were administered intramuscularly. The multiple wounds were debrided with Hydrogen peroxide, flushed with Iodine and sprayed with Oxytetracycline.

Prognosis

Athi has a good prognosis

Rhino Natural Causes Solio Ranch

The Solio Ranch team reported that an adult male white rhino was recumbent after sustaining wounds during a territorial fight.

Immobilisation, examination and treatment

The rhino had poor body condition, it appeared weak, and it was in sternal recumbency. The rhino was darted from a vehicle with 4 mgs Etorphine and 60 mgs Azaperone on the left rump muscles. The drugs took effect 5 minutes later with the animal assuming right lateral recumbency, it was physically restrained thereafter. Treatment and anaesthesia monitoring was carried out simultaneously. 15 mgs Butorphanol IV and Oxygen supplementation were administered for optimal breathing. Multiple traumatic wounds were observed on the hind legs and the inguinal region, the rhino also had a deep penetrating wound on the right hind leg. The rhino was given 15,000 mgs Amoxicillin, 3,000 mgs Flunixine meglumine, and 60 mls Multivitamin intramuscularly. The multiple wounds were debrided with Hydrogen peroxide, flushed with Iodine and sprayed with Oxytetracycline then anaesthesia was reversed.

Prognosis

The rhino has a guarded prognosis

Lion Human - Wildlife Conflict Mugie Ranch

An adult lioness, reported to be leading a pride of lions in preying on the community’s livestock, was collared to enhance monitoring and minimize livestock depredation. Additionally, a collar that was no longer functional collar was removed on another adult lioness in the same pride.

Immobilisation, examination, collaring and de-collaring

The collaring candidate was darted from a vehicle with 300 mgs Ketamine and 8 mgs Medetomidine. The dart landed on the shoulder muscles with the animal assuming sternal recumbency when it was fully sedated 7 minutes later, it was then placed in right lateral recumbency. Anaesthesia monitoring and collaring were done simultaneously The lioness had good body condition, it was collared then anaesthesia was reversed with 13 mgs Yohimbine and 5 mgs Atipamezole administered intramuscularly. Within the same pride, another adult lioness with an old collar that was no longer functional was successfully immobilized and decollared. The lioness had good body condition. Anaesthesia was reversed with 13 mgs Yohimbine and 10 mgs Atipamezole administered intramuscularly.

Prognosis

Both lionesses have a good prognosis.

Bongo Natural Causes Mt. Kenya Wildlife Conservancy

2 sub-adult female mountain bongos, one named Harper and the other named Taifa, were reported to have dull coats, poor gait and diarrhoea.

Immobilisation, examination and treatment

Harper and Taifa were both approached on foot, each of them was darted with 3 mgs Etorphine and 30 mgs Azaperone. The animals were physically restrained when they were recumbent after the drugs took effect. Treatment and anaesthesia monitoring was done simultaneously, and Oxygen supplementation was administered for optimal breathing. Both animals had a rough coat and poor body condition The mountain bongos were treated with 1,500 mgs Amoxicillin and 10 mls Catasol administered intramuscularly, 5 mls Fenbendazole given orally and 2 mls Ivermectin injected subcutaneously. Anaesthesia was reversed with 100 mgs Naltrexone administered via the jugular vein. The animals stood 2 minutes post-darting.

Prognosis

Both Harper and Taifa have a good prognosis due to timely treatment.

Bongo Natural Causes Mt. Kenya Wildlife Conservancy

Immobilisation, examination and treatment

The bongo was approached on foot and darted on the left rump muscles with 1 mgs Etorphine and 10 mgs Azaperone. It took 5 minutes for the drugs to take effect. The animal assumed right lateral recumbency after which it was physically restrained. Treatment and anaesthesia monitoring was done simultaneously, and Oxygen supplementation was administered for optimal breathing. The bong had an abscess on the left jaw. 6,000 mgs Amoxicillin was administered intramuscularly then the abscess was lanced, and the pus was drained. The pocket was debrided with Hydrogen peroxide and flushed with Iodine then anaesthesia was reversed with 50 mgs Naltrexone administered via the jugular vein. The animal stood up 2 minutes postreversal

Prognosis

The mountain bongo has a good prognosis

This female mountain bongo was reported to have an abscess on the left jaw

Serval

Cat

Snared Ol Pejeta Conservancy

An adult female serval cat was reported to have been caught in a wire snare in a village adjacent to Ol Pejeta conservancy.

Immobilisation, examination and treatment

The serval cat was approached on foot and darted on the right rump muscles with 220 mgs Ketamine and 1.7 mgs Medetomidine. The drug took effect 7 minutes post-darting with the animal assuming left lateral recumbency. Treatment and anaesthesia monitoring was done simultaneously. The Serval cat had a snare around the abdomen, but it had no visible injuries. A minor scratch was observed on the right thigh. The wire snare was cut-off then 750 mgs Amoxicillin and 1,000 mgs Phenylbutazone were administerd intramuscularly before anaesthesia was reversed with 6.5 mgs Yohimbine and 10 mgs Atipamazole administered intramuscularly.

Prognosis

The serval cat has a good prognosis

Elephant Natural Causes Loldiaga Hills

This adult female elephant was reported to be lame and dragging its right front limb

Immobilisation and examination

The elephant was approached on foot and darted on the right rump with 17 mgs Etorphine. The drug took effect after 6 minutes with the animal assuming right lateral recumbency. Treatment and anaesthesia monitoring was done simultaneously. The elephant was in poor body condition, and it had a mid-shaft humeral fracture of the right front leg.

Prognosis

The prognosis for this elephant’s recovery was poor, it was therefore put to rest to save it from further pain and suffering.

Bongo Relocation Mt. Kenya Wildlife Conservancy

The SWT-KWS Mt Kenya Mobile Veterinary Unit in conjunction with the Mt. Kenya Wildlife Conservancy team translocated 11 mountain bongos from 25th November 2022 to 27th November 2022.

Relocation

The goal of the translocation exercise was to translocate 11 mountain bongos; 5 of these animals were successfully translocated from the bomas to the newly established Mawingu mountain bongo sanctuary, 6 others were successfully translocated from one boma to anther within the Conservancy. The translocation exercise presented an opportunity to collect biological samples for laboratory research work. Blood was collected for EDTA and serum samples and anthropometric measurement were taken.

Bongo Natural Causes Mt. Kenya Wildlife Conservancy

An adult female mountain bongo named Nehema was reported to be dull, with diarrhoea and recumbent.

Immobilization, examination and treatment

Nehema was physically restrained since she was too weak and already recumbent, she was then taken to a holding boma for further examination and treatment. Nehema had poor body condition; she had a rough coat; she was weak; she had muscle tremors; she had gone into sternal recumbency; and ticks were observed on her body. 3,000 mgs Amoxicillin, 20 mls Multivitamin, and 400 mgs Dexamethasone were administered intramuscularly, 10 mls Fenbendazole 10% was given orally, and 5 mls Ivermectin was injected subcutaneously. She was also given 500 mls Ringers’ lactate, 500 mls Dextrose 5% D5, and 500 mls Dextrose 10% D10 through an intravenous drip as well as 250 mls normal saline until she regained enough strength to stand and start feeding.

Prognosis

Nehema has a good prognosis

Bongo Natural Causes Mt. Kenya Wildlife Conservancy

The Mt. Kenya Mobile Veterinary Unit carried out repeat treatment on Tikki, an adult male mountain bongo, who suffered fight wounds at an earlier date.

Immobilisation, examination and treatment

Tikki was approached on foot and darted on the right rump muscles with 5 mgs Etorphine and 40 mgs Azaperone. The drug took effect 5 minutes later, he assumed left lateral recumbency then he was physically restrained. Treatment and anaesthesia monitoring was done simultaneously, and oxygen supplementation was administered for optimal breathing. The open deep wound at the base of the neck had no pus, and it was closing which is a good sign of healing. There was development of subcutaneous emphysema on the shoulder region, triceps muscles and right front limb muscles. 3,000 mgs Amoxicillin, 200 mgs Dexamethasone and 20 mls Catosal were administered intramuscularly. 9,000 mgs Amoxicillin was also injected subcutaneously at the emphysematous site. The deep wound at the neck was debrided with Hydrogen peroxide, flushed with Iodine and sprayed with Oxytetracycline then anaesthesia was reversed with 100 mgs Naltrexone administered via the jugular vein. Tikki stood 2 minutes post-reversal

Prognosis

Tikki has a good prognosis. Unfortunately, no pictures are available for this case.

Bongo Natural Causes Mt. Kenya Wildlife Conservancy

An adult male mountain bongo, named Mjukuu, was reported to be limping

Immobilisation, examination and treatment

Mjukuu was approached on foot and darted on the left rump muscles with 6 mgs Etorphine and 40 mgs Azaperone. The drug took effect after 5 minutes with Mjukuu in right lateral recumbency. He was then physically restrained. Treatment and anaesthesia monitoring was done simultaneously, and Oxygen supplementation was administered for optimal breathing. Mjukuu had good body condition, but he had overgrown hooves. 3,000 mgs Amoxicillin, 40 mgs Dexamethasone, and 20 mls Catasol were administered intramuscularly while 5 mls Ivermectin was given subcutaneously. The overgrown hooves were trimmed then anaesthesia was reversed with 100 mgs Naltrexone administered via the jugular vein. Mjukuu rose 2 minutes later.

Prognosis

Mjukuu has a good prognosis

Unfortunately, no pictures are available for this case.

Rhino Rescue Solio Ranch

Rescue

The calf was observed to be in good body condition, but it appeared weak. The white rhino calf was manually restrained and taken to a holding boma in the ranch. It was later flown by helicopter to the SWT Nairobi Nursery for further care and rehabilitation

This abandoned 2-months-old female white rhino calf was rescued by the Mt Kenya Mobile Veterinary Unit

From 14th November 2022 to 18th November 2022, the Mt. Kenya Mobile Veterinary Unit supported the Northern White Rhino assisted reproduction progamme in Ol Pejeta Conservancy.

Summary of Activities

Ariemet, one of the surrogate females in the Northern White Rhino Assisted Reproduction Programme, was found to be pregnant with a southern white rhino foetus and there was need to temporarily remove her from the program as a surrogate She was therefore translocated from the smaller boma and back into the wild.

Mojo, the other surrogate, was also found to be unfit for the program and was released back into the larger population in the wild. Ouwan, the southern white rhino teaser bull in the program, was successfully immobilized and confirmed to be sterile.

Two new southern white rhino surrogates, Darling and Ciura, were captured from the larger population in the wild and moved into the enclosure for the assisted Northern White Rhino Assisted Reproduction Programme