OCTOBER 2024
9 Cases in October 2 Poaching Cases
October Report by Dr. Titus Kaitho
2 Lion Cases
The SWT/KWS Rift Valley Mobile Veterinary Unit attended to 9 cases in October 2024. These comprised of 2 lion cases, 1 spotted hyena case, 2 common zebra cases, 2 buffalo cases, 1 Masai giraffe case, and 1 impala case. Out of the 9 cases attended to, 2 cases involved snared animals (i.e. a spotted hyena and a Masai giraffe) with wire snares around the neck. Fortunately, both snared animals were successfully treated with a good prognosis indicated.
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 and supported the veterinary interventions captured in this report. Thank you all.
Case Details
SWT/KWS Rift Valley Mobile Vet Unit Treatment Locations
October 2024
Zebra Natural Causes Sanctuary Farm
The Sanctuary Farm security team reported the sighting of an adult female common zebra with a growth on the ear.
Immobilisation, examination and treatment
The zebra was darted with 5mg Etorphine combined with 80mg Azaperone.
Upon examination, a growth that was suspected to be a tumour was observed and surgically removed. The surgical site was cleaned with tincture of Iodine then the wound was sutured using poly galatin absorbable suture 1 and haemorrhage controlled by clamping and ligation of bleeders.
A fly repellent was applied topically. Additionally, 9,000mg Amoxicillin, 250mg Flunixin meglumine, and 40ml Butasal were administered intramuscularly. 5ml Ivermectin was also administered subcutaneously.
Prognosis
Anaesthesia was reversed with 75mg Naltrexone given by intramuscular and intravenous route. The zebra has a good prognosis.
Hyena Snared
Soysambu Conservancy
Soysambu Conservancy security staff reported the sighting of an adult male spotted hyena with a snare around its neck.
Immobilisation, examination and treatment
A call back station was employed to locate the snared hyena. The hyena was successfully darted and immobilized with a cocktail of 240mg Ketamine and 6mg Medetomidine.
Upon examination the hyena had been snared and wounded by a wire on the neck. The wound was suppurative and infected. The septic wound was cleaned with water, rinsed with tincture of Iodine and sprayed with a fly repellent (Alamycin® Aerosol). The hyena also received 4,500 mg Amoxicillin trihydrate, 100mg Flunixin meglumine, and 40ml Butasal intramuscularly. 2.5ml Ivermectin was also administered subcutaneously before anaesthesia was reversed with 15mg Atipamezole given intramuscularly after one hour.
Prognosis
The hyena has a good prognosis.
Zebra Natural Causes
Sanctuary Farm staff reported a case of an adult male common zebra wounded on the right front leg.
Immobilisation, examination and treatment
The stallion was darted with 5mg Etorphine and 80mg Azaperone.
Upon examination, a wounded was observed on the animal’s right front leg. The wound was caused by a traumatic injury. The leg was swollen, and the zebra was lame. The wound was cleaned with water, rinsed with tincture of Iodine, and sprayed with a fly repellent (Alamycin® Aerosol). 9,000mg Amoxicillin trihydrate, 300mg Flunixin meglumine, and 40ml Butasal were administered intramuscularly while 5ml Ivermectin was administered subcutaneously. General anaesthesia was reversed with 75mg Naltrexone, three-quarters of the dose was administered intravenously while a quarter of the dose was administered intramuscularly to avoid re-narcotization.
Prognosis
The zebra has a good prognosis.
Impala
Natural Causes
Olerai Wildlife Sanctuary staff reported the sighting of an adult male impala with a complete open fracture of the left hind leg.
Immobilisation and examination
The impala was darted with 2.5mg Etorphine and 10mg Azaperone.
The animal had suffered a complete open fracture of the left hind leg. The fracture wound was extensive, open and bleeding. Unfortunately, the imapla had a poor prognosis. Therefore, he was put to rest to alleviate further pain and suffering. The carcass was safely disposed at WRTI – Main campus.
Prognosis
The impala had a poor prognosis given the severity of the injury. He was put to rest to alleviate further pain and suffering.
Human-Wildlife Conflict
Gilgil Area
Kigio Wildlife Conservancy Manager reported that an adult male buffalo had strayed into community land in the Gilgil area.
Immobilization, capture and relocation
The buffalo bull was darted with 9mg Etorphine and 80mg Azaperone. It was translocated while under general anaesthesia across the fence to Kigio Wildlife Conservancy – a fenced wildlife conservancy. Reversal of anaesthesia was achieved with 225mg Naltrexone given by intramuscular and intravenous route.
Prognosis
The buffalo has a good prognosis.
Lake Nakuru National Park management reported the sighting of an injured adult male lion.
Immobilisation, examination and treatment
A call back station was used to locate the lion. The male lion was darted and successfully immobilized with 280mg Ketamine and 6mg Medetomidine. Upon examination, the lion had been wounded on the left hind leg and abdomen. The wound was infected and suppurative. It was suspected that the wound was inflicted by a sharp object during hunting, the lion had most probably been gored by a buffalo.
The wound was cleaned with water, rinsed with tincture of Iodine, and sprayed with a fly repellent (Alamycin® Aerosol). Furthermore, 9,000mg Amoxicillin trihydrate, 250mg Flunixin meglumine and 40ml Butasal® were administered intramuscularly. 5ml Ivermectin was also administered subcutaneously. Anaesthesia was reversed with 25mg Atipamezole administered intramuscularly after one hour.
Prognosis
The lion has a fair prognosis. The veterinary team advised supplementary feeding to enhance recovery.
Case 7 – 15th October 2024
Giraffe Snared Sopa Lodge, Naivasha
Sopa Lodge – Naivasha management reported the sighting of a snared adult male Masai giraffe.
Immobilisation, examination and treatment
The male giraffe was darted with 15mg Etorphine and 80mg Azaperone.
He had a long wire around his neck. Fortunately, the snare had only inflicted minor skin lacerations. The snare was removed and anaesthesia promptly reversed by rapid administration of 250mg Naltrexone administered by intravenous and intramuscular route to avoid re-narcotization.
Prognosis
The giraffe has a good prognosis.
