SWT/KWS RIFT VALLEY MOBILE VETERINARY UNIT DECEMBER 2023
Introduction
8 Cases in December
3 Poaching Cases
1 Giraffe Case
December Report by Dr. Titus Kaitho The Lake Naivasha region and the Central Rift Conservation Area in general experienced seasonal rains in December. The Rift Valley Mobile Veterinary Unit attended to 8 cases comprising 1 Masai giraffe, 5 common zebras, 1 spotted hyena and 1 African crested porcupine. 3 of these cases involved snared animals. Snares are indiscriminate and at times predators end up being their unintended victims. In one such case on Christmas Eve, the Veterinary team attended to an adult spotted hyena with severe injuries inflicted by a wire snare it had carried around its neck for a long period of time. Sadly, the hyena passed away. Acknowledgement The Rift Valley Mobile Veterinary team greatly appreciates The Brady Hunter Foundation for funding the Unit through the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust (SWT). The team acknowledges Angela Sheldrick, CEO -SWT for her unwavering support and interest in the work undertaken by the Mobile Veterinary Unit and thanks the Wildlife Research & Training Institute (WRTI) for hosting the Unit at WRTI - Naivasha. The team additionally thanks all the stakeholders and scouts who reported wildlife in distress. Thank you all.
Case Details Date
Species
Area Found
21-Dec 23
Zebra
Sirocco Conservancy
Natural Causes
Adult female zebra mauled and wounded by a hyena on the hind leg.
Prognosis Poor
22-Dec 23
Giraffe
Sanctuary, Naivasha
Postmortem
Post-mortem examination on an adult female Masai giraffe carcass that had been devoured by scavengers.
Died. Undetermined cause
24-Dec 23
Hyena
Soysambu Conservancy
Snared
Adult male spotted hyena severely injured by a wire snare around the neck.
Poaching death
25-Dec 23
Zebra
Aquilla Farm, Naivasha
Natural Causes
Female common zebra foal mauled and wounded by a predator on the front leg.
Died. Euthanized
27-Dec 23
Porcupine
Gilgil
Snared
Adult male African crested porcupine tethered to a fence by a barbed wire snare.
Successfully treated
28-Dec 23
Zebra
Hell’s Gate N.P.
Snared
Adult male common zebra with a long wire snare around the neck.
Successfully treated
28-Dec 23
Zebra
Elementaita Weavers
Natural Causes
Male common zebra foal with self-inflicted injuries on both front limbs.
Prognosis Poor
29-Dec 23
Zebra
Marula, Naivasha
Natural Causes
Adult male common zebra injured on the left hind limb.
Successfully treated
Reason for Intervention
Outcome
SWT/KWS Rift Valley Mobile Vet Unit Treatment Locations December 2023
01st November 2023 Eland
Snared
Maragwa Area - Marula Estates
The Rift Valley Mobile Veterinary Unit was on annual leave in November for some well-deserved rest. The team attended to 1 case over that reporting period that involved a snared adult female common eland in Marula Estates which is included in the December report. Unfortunately, the animal was found to have died from strangulation and asphyxia before the team arrived. The SWT-KWS De-snaring Unit was advised to comb the area for additional old snares. Examination The eland had been snared by several wires and was unfortunately found dead when the team arrived. Upon examination, it was determined that the animal died from strangulation and asphyxia. The carcass was safely disposed of at the Wildlife Research & Training Institute Main Campus. The SWT – KWS De-snaring Unit was advised to comb the general area for any additional old snares. Cause of death The eland died from strangulation and asphyxia.
Case 1 – 21st December 2023 Zebra
Natural Causes
Siricco Wildlife Sanctuary
Siricco Wildlife Sanctuary staff reported a female common zebra that had been wounded on the hind leg by a predator. The zebra was darted with 5 mg Etorphine and 80 mg Azaperone. Upon examination, the vet found that the zebra had been mauled by a hyena on the hind leg. The wound was cleaned with water, rinsed with Iodine, and sprayed with a fly repellent. 250 mg Flunixin meglumine, 9,000 mg Amoxicillin and 40 ml Catasol were administered intramuscularly. 5 ml Ivermectin was also administered subcutaneously before anaesthesia was reversed with 75 mg Naltrexone given intravenously and intramuscularly. The zebra has a favourable to guarded prognosis.
Case 2 – 22nd December 2023 Giraffe
Post-mortem
Sanctuary Farm
The carcass of an adult female Masai giraffe was found and reported by Sanctuary Farm staff. The carcass had been scavenged upon by hyenas. The giraffe had been examined by the Vet the day before (21/12/2023). He observed that the giraffe was immobile, its neck was lowered, and it had no appetite. Given the foregoing, the case was not good for general anaesthesia. The cause of death could not be determined because the carcass had lost all the visceral organs, muscles, and the head.
Case 3 – 24th December 2024 Hyena
Snared
Soysambu Conservancy
This adult male spotted hyena had been captured in the community area. The hyena was found in a cage trap, it had a wire snare around its neck that it had carried for a long time resulting in severe injuries. The hyena was immobilized with 4 mg Etorphine and 10 mg Azaperone. Unfortunately, the cage trap exit door failed to open in time. Sadly, when the veterinary team was able to access the caged animal, it had passed away due to positional asphyxia and general anaesthesia complications after immobilization.
Case 4 – 25th December 2023 Zebra
Natural Causes
Aquilla Farm
Aquilla Farm security staff reported sighting an injured female common zebra foal. The zebra foal was darted with 2 mg Etorphine and 10 mg Azaperone. Upon examination, the Vet observed that the zebra foal had been mauled by a hyena on the front leg. The injury was grave since the tendons of carpal joint had been severed. The wound was also bleeding, and bones were exposed. The zebra foal had a poor prognosis. Therefore, it was put to rest to alleviate further pain and suffering. pain..
Case 5 – 27th December 2023 Porcupine
Snared
Ridgemont Area, Gilgil
This case was reported by Jim Foxton through the SAD - Central Rift Conservation Area. An African crested porcupine had been tethered to a vegetable garden fence by a barbed wire snare. The porcupine was immobilized with a 0.3 mg Medetomidine and 60 mg Ketamine Hcl injection. The snare was removed then the wounds were cleaned with water, rinsed with Iodine, and sprayed with a fly repellent. 50 mg Flunixin meglumine and 750 mg Amoxicillin were administered intramuscularly. Anaesthesia was reversed 1-hour post-immobilization with 5 mg Atipamezole given intramuscularly. The porcupine has a good prognosis.
Case 6 – 28th December 2023 Zebra
Snared
Longonot Area, Hell’s Gate N.P.
Hells Gate National Park security staff reported an adult zebra stallion with a wire snare around its neck. The zebra was darted with 5 mg Etorphine and 80 mg Azaperone. Fortunately, the loose wire snare, about 2 meters long, had not caused any injury on the zebra’s neck. The long snare was removed then anaesthesia was reversed with 75 mg Naltrexone administered intramuscularly and intravenously. The zebra has a good prognosis.
Case 7 – 28th December 2023 Zebra
Natural Causes
Elementaita Weavers
This injured common zebra foal was reported by the proprietors of Elementaita Weavers. The zebra foal was darted with 1.5 mg Etorphine and 5 mg Azaperone. Anaesthesia was reversed immediately after immobilization with 75 mg Naltrexone injected intramuscularly. The foal was manually restrained during treatment. Upon examination, it was found that the animal had suffered severe injuries on both front legs. The zebra foal had been accidentally trapped and had suffered self-inflicted injuries as he tried to set himself free. The wounds were cleaned with water, rinsed with Iodine, and covered with green clay and a fly repellent. 100 mg Flunixin meglumine, 750 mg Amoxicillin and 10 ml Catasol were administered intramuscularly while 2 ml Ivermectin was injected subcutaneously. The foal has a guarded prognosis.
Case 8 – 29th December 2023 Zebra
Natural Causes
Stone Crushing Site, Marula Estates
The KWS investigations team reported an injured sub-adult male common zebra. The zebra was darted with 5 mg Etorphine and 80 mg Azaperone. It had injuries on the coronet region of the hoof on the left hind leg. The wounds were haemorrhagic and infected. The wounds were cleaned with water, rinsed with Iodine, and sprayed with a fly repellent. 100 mg Flunixin meglumine and 12,000 mg Oxytetracycline were administered intramuscularly while 5 ml Ivermectin was administered subcutaneously. Anaesthesia was reversed with 75 mg of Naltrexone given by IV and IM route. The zebra has a good prognosis.