SWT/KWS Mt Kenya Mobile Veterinary Report for November 2024
SWT/KWS MT KENYA MOBILE VETERINARY UNIT
NOVEMBER 2024
12 Cases in November 2024
November Report by Dr. Jeremiah Poghon
5 Rhino Cases
1 Elephant Case
The Mt Kenya Veterinary Unit attended to a variety of cases within the ecosystem, notably were several rhino autopsies caused by territorial fights and predation by lions, as well as 2 Grevy zebras treated for predation and snare injuries at Loisaba and Elkarama conservancies respectively. Other cases were collaring of a cheetah at Mugie ranch, treatment of a bongo at Mt Kenya Conservancy, treatment of an injured giraffe foal at Elkarama ranch and treatment and translocation of an injured lioness to Nairobi from Loldaiga ranch.
Acknowledgement
The Mt. Kenya Mobile Wildlife Veterinary Unit thanks the 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-Nov-24
8-Nov-24
9-Nov-24
Ol Pejeta Conservancy
Black Ol Pejeta Conservancy Postmortem Fight injuries from another blind female within the endangered species enclosure
10-Nov-24 Cheetah Mugie Ranch Collared A pair of cheetahs required monitoring to reduce HWC Task Successful
12-Nov-24 Rhino White Solio Conservancy Natural Causes A complete fracture of the left front limb at the radio-ulnar bone.
16-Nov-24 Zebra El Karama Conservancy Snared Had a snare that left a deep wound on the right front limb Successfully Treated
18-Nov-24 Zebra Loisaba Ranch Natural Causes The left forelimb had predator attack wounds around carpal joint Successfully Treated
19-Nov-24 Rhino White Solio Conservancy Postmortem There were predator wounds to the neck, hock, elbow joints and the body flanks
22-Nov-24 Rhino White Lewa Conservancy Natural Causes A deep penetrating wound caused by a fight with another rhino Successfully Treated
26-Nov-24 Giraffe El Karama Conservancy Natural Causes Puncture wounds to the neck probably caused by a leopard failed predation attack Successfully Treated
27-Nov-24 Lion Loldia Conservancy Natural Causes Had a deep wound on the left side of the neck cutting through several muscle layers Taken to Orphanage
28-Nov-24 Rhino Black Ol Pejeta Conservancy Postmortem There were bite wounds on the left hind limb
SWT/KWS Mt Kenya
Mobile Vet Unit Treatment Locations
November 2024
Case
Bongo Natural Causes
Mt Kenya Wildlife Conservancy
A female mountain bongo was reported by the monitoring team to have a swelling on the lower jaw suspected to be abscess. The Veterinary team rushed to the area to attend to the case assisted by a team from Mt Kenya conservancy.
Immobilisation, examination and treatment
The bongo was darted from foot with 3mg Etorphine hydrochloride combined with 30mg Azaperone tartrate, delivered using a Dan-Inject® CO2 rifle. The drug took effect after about 5 minutes and the animal went down on lateral recumbency. Oxygen was supplemented intra-nasally and a blindfold was placed to prevent light stimulation and 3mgs of Butorphanol administered to improve respiration.
The animal was positioned properly to ensure proper breathing, and the eyes were blind folded to prevent light excitation. There was a swelling on the left carpal joint. The swelling was drained then flushed using water mixed with Hydrogen peroxide and doused with tincture of Iodine and covered in green clay. Parenteral long-acting antibiotics and anti-inflammatories were also administered
Prognosis
Prognosis is good.
Elephant Natural Causes
Ol Pejeta Conservancy
An adult male elephant was sighted along the marsh area earlier this week with leg carrying lameness of the right hindlimb.
Immobilisation and examination
The elephant was was darted from foot with 18mg Etorphine hydrochloride but the drugs had no effect, so the elephant was darted a second time from a vehicle with 15mg Etorphine which was effective.
The limb had various shallow and deep wounds on the medial and lateral aspects of the lower right hindlimb at the tibial level. The medial wound was a penetrating open wound oozing pus, whereas the shallow ones showed signs of infection. Manipulation of the limb revealed crepitation and misalignment of the tibia and fibula, indicating a fracture. Considering the poor prognosis and with due consideration for animal welfare, a decision was made, through guidance of the regional KWS vet, to humanely euthanize the elephant
Post-mortem findings
The right hindlimb had a complete, open, comminuted and oblique fracture of the tibia and fibula. Fracture site was completely infected with large amounts of pus in the area. The muscle above the knee and around the femur was fibrotic with large areas of gelatinization
Case 3 – 9th November 2024
Black Rhino Postmortem
Ol Pejeta Conservancy
The rhino was brought to the Boma on 28th July 2024, after it was noted that she was blind. The translocation was successful, and she settled in well.
On 2nd October, she was reported to have sustained fight wound injuries from another blind female within the endangered species enclosure. She was immediately observed by the veterinary team and a report of her condition made. There were horn stab/cut/graze wounds distributed on multiple areas of the body including face, abdomen, rump and thighs. The wounds were mostly superficial but with a likelihood to develop infections. No intervention was done.
She was found dead on the morning of 9th November,2024 reported by the monitoring team in the area on left lateral recumbency.
Post-mortem findings
The cause of death was established to be as a result of multiple factors; Infected fractured rib as a possible source of sepsis, early onset of pneumonia, anaemia, heavy worm infestation and hypoproteinemia (ventral oedema of the jaw and generalized oedema as indicators). The horns were recovered and processed as per the Ol Pejeta procedures and ready for collection in line with KWS trophy retrieval protocol.
Cheetah Collaring Mugie Conservancy, Laikipia
Mugie conservancy is one of the many private Conservancies teaming with wildlife within Laikipia county. The ranch balances between cattle ranching and wildlife conservation as income earning activities. The balance requires proper monitoring of wildlife, especially predators, to prevent human-wildlife conflict. A pair of male cheetah is resident to the Conservancy and monitoring them is critical for their survival.
Immobilisation and collaring
The cheetah was immobilized using 100mgs Ketamine and 1mg Medetomidine. The dart was placed in the rump, and he went down after 5 minutes and was placed in the lateral position and blind folded. Water was poured to cool him down and 10 mgs of Doxopram was administered to improve on respiration. The collar was well placed and there was enough space around the neck for comfort.
Reversal and prognosis
After one and half hours the anaesthetic was reversed using Atipemazole at 5 times the Etorphine dose. The cheetah woke up and joined the other cheetah who was nearby and calling.
Case 5 – 12th November 2024
White Rhino Natural Causes Solio Conservancy
The report of the injured male White rhino with carrying leg lameness of the left front leg was received from the Solio platoon commander. The rhino was first reported on 4th October 2024 after a lion attack leaving injuries on the body, base of tail and part of the right hind limb. The rhino was treated and given a good prognosis. On 24th October another report was made on the same rhino after it sustained numerous scratch and puncture wounds on the perineal and chest areas. The Veterinary team responded, and the rhino was treated and given a guarded prognosis.
Immobilisation, examination and management
The case was first assessed visually, and several fresh superficial injuries were observed on the body with obvious complete fracture of the left front limb at the radio-ulnar bone. The rhino was immobilized using 5mgs Etorphine and 80mgs Azaperone and went down after 5 minutes. 25mgs Butorphanol were administered to stabilize the vital parameters. The broken limb was examined and crackling sounds with movement was felt. The area with the fracture bent when lifted indicating a complete fracture.
Complete fractures in large adult animals do not heal and with poor prognosis a decision to euthanize the Rhino was arrived at. An autopsy was undertaken and confirmed the diagnosis of complete fracture of radius and ulnar bones of left front limb with bone comminution.
An adult female Grevy’s zebra was reported to be limping and slow moving. The animal was also noted to be frequently lying down.
Immobilisation, examination and treatment
The Grevy was darted using 7mg Etorphine hydrochloride combined with 60mg Azaperone tartate, delivered using a Dan-Inject® CO2 rifle. The animal was darted from foot. The drug took effect after about 8 minutes and the animal went down on left lateral recumbency. Examination of the right forelimb found a snare had cut into the tissues of the right forelimb at the level of the carpus. There were predator attack wounds on the thigh and hind limbs area.
The snare had already fallen off but left a deep wound on the right front limb which was debrided with Hydrogen peroxide and Iodine then topical antibiotic cover sprayed. Flunixin meglumine was given to manage pain and inflammation, whilst Amoxicillin was given for systemic antibiotic cover. Multivitamins were also administered to boost the immune system.
Reversal and prognosis
The zebra has a good prognosis.
Zebra Snared
Elkarama Ranch
Zebra Natural Causes
Loisaba Conservancy
An adult female Grevy’s zebra was reported to be limping and slow moving. The animal was also noted to be frequently lying down.
Immobilisation, examination and treatment
The Grevy was darted using 7mg Etorphine hydrochloride combined with 60mg Azaperone tartate, delivered using a Dan-Inject® CO2 rifle. The animal was darted from a vehicle. The dart was delivered on the musculature of the rump. The drug took effect after about 5 minutes and the animal went down on right lateral recumbency. A blindfold was placed to prevent light stimulation. Examination of the left forelimb revealed predator attack wounds around the carpal joint.
The wound was debrided with Hydrogen peroxide and Iodine and topical antibiotic cover applied. Flunixin meglumine was given to manage pain and inflammation, whilst Amoxicillin was given for systemic antibiotic cover. Multivitamins were also administered to boost the immune system.
Reversal and prognosis
The zebra has a good prognosis. .
Case 8 – 19th November 2024
White Rhino Postmortem
Solio Conservancy
The rhino was spotted on 19th November 2024 at around midday partly scavenged on the perineal area, thighs, right chest and the facial muscles.
Post-mortem findings
The carcass was lying on the left flank facing westerly direction and still quite fresh aged bout 2 days from death. The right muzzle and the right ear were eaten away by predators. The perineal region, thigh muscles and the internal organs had been eaten away.
There were predator bite and claw marks on the lower neck, hock joints, elbow joints and the body flanks. The intestines had been eaten away leaving the ingester.
The lungs and heart were slightly autolyzed but normal.
Cause of death
Predation by lions
White Rhino Natural Causes
Lewa Conservancy
The rangers at Lewa Wildlife Conservancy observed a rhino with purulent exudates from its right rump, which also had an open wound.
Immobilisation, examination and treatment
The rhino was chemically restrained using a combination of 4.5 mg Etorphine HCL and 60mg Azaperone, which was administered via a 1.5 ml Dan-inject dart from the vehicle. The drugs took full effect after five minutes, at which point 60mg Butorphanol was given to stabilize her.
Upon examination, a deep penetrating wound was found on the right side of her rump, which extended to the rectum. This injury indicated that she had been involved in a fight with another rhino. The wound was cleaned with water and debrided with Hydrogen peroxide to remove tissue debris and stubborn exudates. Finally, the area was disinfected using tincture of Iodine, and Oxytetracycline pessaries were inserted deep into the wound, medicinal green clay was then packed onto the wound to prevent further infection and fly nuisance. Antibiotics and anti-inflammatories were administered accordingly.
Prognosis
The prognosis is good for a full recovery, but she will be monitored in case she may need a review
Giraffe Natural Causes
The report was made by Elkarama rangers of a Giraffe calf that’s calf that was struggling to drink water and oozing fluids from its mouth and nose. They reported to Mt Kenya Vet unit who rushed and found the calf lying down and protected by its mother.
Immobilisation, examination and treatment
Attempts were made to capture the calf physically, but he ran away and a decision to dart was made. The calf was darted with 2mgs Etorphine Hcl and 10 mgs Azaperone using the Dan-inject dart system. The calf went down after 3 minutes, and he was quickly reversed using Diprenorphine at 20 times the Etorphine dose.
Canine puncture wounds liked caused by a leopard failed predation attack were observed on the neck that were making the calf have difficulty in eating and breathing. The wounds were cleaned and topical antibiotics administered. Long-acting Amoxicillin and Phenylbutazone were administered parenterally. Doramectin was given subcutis.
Prognosis
The calf was released and joined the mother who was waiting nearby. Prognosis is good.
Elkarama Ranch
Case 11 – 27th November 2024
Lion
Natural Causes
Lol Daiga Conservancy
The injured lioness was reported by the community at Nginyei area adjacent to Loldaiga. The Unit travelled to the area and found the community and KWS rangers guarding the sickly-looking lioness who was unable to wake up despite people surrounding it. The lioness groaned in pain and appeared to have lost fluids.
Immobilisation, examination and treatment
The lioness was immobilized using 150mgs Ketamine mixed with 4mgs Medetomidine. She was stabilized by administration of ringer’s lactate intravenously. On being turned over a deep gaping wound was seen on the left side of the neck cutting through several muscle layers.
The wound was lavaged with normal saline and crystalline Penicillin poured to the wound. Three suture layers were made with interrupted suture pattern using 2-0 chromic catgut. A final suture layer of the skin was made and the wound site sprayed with oxytetracycline spray. Long-acting Amoxicillin was administered parenterally with Dexamethasone, Vitamin B12 complex and Doramectin subcutis.
Prognosis
Due to the gravity of the injury a decision was made to translocate the lioness to Nairobi veterinary department at KWS headquarters for specialized treatment. She was translocated the next day.
Case 12 – 28th November 2024
Black Rhino Postmortem Olpejeta Conservancy
The rhino was discovered on the morning of 28th November 2024 at 7.30 am by the Ol Pejeta Conservancy Rangers
Post-mortem findings
The carcass was lying on the left flank, it was fairly fresh (2 days old) and was in poor body condition (2 out of 5). There were scratch marks distributed all over the rhino’s body. The abdomen was slightly distended and there was faecal material in the anal opening. The right hind limb inner thigh, chest area, neck and both elbows were eaten. There were bite wounds on the left hind limb and the tail was bitten off halfway. There were bite marks and claw marks on the neck area and the lower jaw.
The liver and the lungs were markedly autolyzed. The left lung was edematous and not collapsed. There was ingesta on the liver. The stomach, intestines, colon and caecum were full of ingesta. Kidneys were anatomically normal with distinct cortex and medulla. There were haemorrhages on the heart’s endocardium.
Cause of death
The cause of death was established to be as a result of predation by lions (suspected)
