SWT/KWS RIFT VALLEY MOBILE VETERINARY UNIT
APRIL 2023
Introduction
18 Cases in April
April Report by Dr. Titus Kaitho
11 Poaching Cases
1 HWC Case
The Lake Naivasha area and the Central Rift Conservation Area in general have received seasonal rain. The Rift Valley Mobile Veterinary Unit performed clinical interventions and carried out routine security patrols in the Lake Naivasha area and Mt. Elgon National Park. The Unit attended to 18 cases in total comprising 2 waterbucks, 10 zebras, 1 security dog, 2 security horses, 1 hippopotamus, 1 vervet monkey, 1 buffalo and 1 giraffe. 11 cases involved snared animals and 1 case was related to human-wildlife conflict.
Acknowledgement
We sincerely thank Sheldrick Wildlife Trust (SWT) and FIGS for their support and sponsorship. We also acknowledge Angela Sheldrick, CEO -SWT, for her unwavering support and interest in the work undertaken by the Mobile Veterinary Unit. We also acknowledge the Wildlife Research & Training Institute (WRTI) for hosting the Rift Valley Mobile Vet Unit. We sincerely thank all stakeholders and scouts who reported wildlife in distress. Thank you all.
Case Details
April 2023
Case 1 – 03rd April 2023
Security Dog Natural Causes WRTI Canine Unit
Jake had exhibited lameness on the left hind leg for 2 weeks. The cause of lameness was unknown. Lameness was marked early morning, and later waned in the afternoon. His temperature was observed to be normal; he was bright and alert, but his gait showed some limping. The Vet’s diagnosed him with myalgia and joint strain. Jake was treated with PENISTREP 20/20(Shanghai Gongyi Pharm - China) (Procaine benzylpenicillin 20000iu. Dihydrostreptomycin sulphate 200mg) 3mL (3/7 days); and Colvasone® (Dexamethasone) 0.2%w/v sol inj. 4mg by SQ route (1/7 days). His recovery 7 days later was excellent. Jake has a good prognosis.
Case 2 – 03rd April 2023
Waterbuck Human-Wildlife Conflict
Lodge
An adult male waterbuck that had knocked down a hotel worker was translocated from Sopa Lodge to Hells Gate National Park. The animal was a threat to workers and tourists at the facility, and its translocation was authorized by KWS Head – Veterinary Services. The waterbuck was darted with 6 mg Etorphine and 60 mg Azaperone and once the drugs had taken effect, the animal was loaded onto the bed of a pick-up with the assistance of Sopa Lodge staff. The animal was translocated 5 Km away to the park while under general anaesthesia. Anaesthesia was successfully reversed with Naltrexone at the release site.
Sopa
Case 3 – 13th April 2023
Waterbuck Snared Sanctuary Farm
Sanctuary farm security staff reported seeing an adult male waterbuck with a wire snare around its neck and left hind leg.
Immobilisation, examination and treatment
The waterbuck was darted with 6 mg Etorphine and 60 mg Azaperone. Fortunately, the waterbuck had only suffered minor bruises. The snare was removed then a fly repellent was applied on the bruised area. Anaesthesia was reversed with 125 mg Naltrexone given by IV & IM route. The waterbuck has a good prognosis.
Case 4 – 13th April 2023
Zebra Snared
Kenya Nut - Olmurogi
Kenya Nut staff reported a female zebra foal that had been snared on the left hind leg. The foal was darted with 4 mg Etorphine and 80 mg Azaperone. The snare had inflicted a wound that was septic with purulent discharge. The wound was cleaned with water, rinsed with Iodine, and sprayed with a fly repellent. 6,000 mg Amoxicillin, 150 mg Flunixin meglumine, 3 ml Ivermectin and 30 ml Catasol were administered before anaesthesia was reversed with 75 mg Naltrexone. The foal has a favourable prognosis.
Case 5 – 16th April 2023
Security Horses Natural Causes Mt. Elgon National Park
Gaseous (male) and Flamingo (female) were treated opportunistically when the Vet team was in Mt. Elgon National Park on a mission to attend to an ill elephant calf and a snared waterbuck. Unfortunately, the elephant calf and the waterbuck were not found since the thick forest vegetation that made it extremely difficult to locate them. Flamingo had fully recovered after being treated for a bout of colic and self-inflicted wounds. Both horses were infested with ticks. The vet recommended that they are sprayed with Stelladone® and supplementary feeding (hay, maize germ, wheat bran and mineral lick) is increased. Gaseous and flamingo were also treated with Ivermectin (10 ml and 8 ml respectively), each of them also received 40 ml Catasol.
Case 6 – 17th April 2023
Zebra Snared
Mireraini – Jaguar Petroleum
The KWS warden, Naivasha Station reported a zebra stallion that had been snared on the left hind leg. The zebra was darted with 5 mg Etorphine and 80 mg Azaperone. The wire snare was removed then the wound it had inflicted was cleaned with water, rinsed with Iodine, and sprayed with a fly repellent (Alamycin® Aerosal). 12,000 mg Oxytetracycline and 250 mg Flunixin meglumine were administered intramuscularly while 4 ml Ivermectin was administered subcutaneously. Thereafter, anaesthesia was reversed with 75 mg Naltrexone given by IV & IM route. The zebra has a favourable prognosis.
Case 7 – 17th April 2023
Hippopotamus Post-mortem
Kenya Nut - Olmurogi
An adult male hippopotamus carcass was found at the banks of Malewa river.
Post-mortem findings
There was a trail of blood from the carcass to the site of a fierce territorial fight approx. 1 Km from the dead animal. The area has felled trees and blood tainted soil. Physical examination of the carcass revealed bruises on the skin, a deep cut on the left flank that was oozing blood, and a deep cut on the cranial aspect of the right front leg that was also oozing blood. The cause of death was found to be hypovolemic shock from massive haemorrhage due to injuries inflicted during a territorial fight with another male hippopotamus.
Case 8 – 18th April 2023
Zebra
Snared
Marula
Estates – Maragwa area
KWS Investigations staff reported an adult female zebra with a snare around the neck. The animal was darted with 5 mg Etorphine and 80 mg Azaperone. Upon physical examination, the animal was found to have only suffered minor injuries and there was no need for further treatment. The wire snare was removed then anaesthesia was reversed with 75 mg of Naltrexone given by IV & IM route. The zebra has a good prognosis
Case 9 – 19th April 2023
Giraffe Snared Loldia Conservancy – Airstrip Area
An adult male maasai giraffe with a wire snare around the neck was reported by Honorary Warden Gary Hopcraft.
Immobilisation, examination and treatment
The giraffe was darted with 15 mg Etorphine and 80 mg Azaperone. Fortunately, the giraffe had only suffered minor injuries. The snare was removed then anaesthesia was immediately reversed with 250 mg Naltrexone given intravenously and intramuscularly. The giraffe has a good prognosis.
Case 10 – 19th April 2023
Vervet Monkey Snared Oloiden Campsite
A visitor at Oloiden Campsite reported seeing a snared adult male vervet monkey. The vervet monkey was darted with 100 mg Ketamine. It had a nylon strap deeply embedded into tissues of the front leg and arm pit causing a wound with purulent discharge. The snare was removed then hair around the wounded area was shaved off. The wound was cleaned with water, rinsed with Iodine and spayed with a fly repellent. Antibiotics, anti-inflammatories and metabolic stimulants were also administered. Reversal of anaesthesia was by self-metabolization of Ketamine within an hour after darting. The vervet monkey has a good prognosis.
Case 11 – 24th April 2023
Zebra Snared KALRO – Olmagogo
An adult female zebra with a snare around the neck was reported by the manager KALRO – Olmagogo.
Immobilization, examination & treatment
The zebra was darted with 5 mg Etorphine and 100 mg Azaperone. Fortunately, the long wire snare around the zebra’s neck had not inflicted any wound. The snare was removed then anaesthesia was reversed with 75 mg Naltrexone given intravenously and intramuscularly.
Case 12 – 24th April 2023
Zebra Natural Causes
Kenya Nut - Olmurogi
Kenya Nut – Olmurogi staff reported a female zebra foal exhibiting lameness. The foal was darted with 2 mg Etorphine and 10 mg Azaperone. 2 mg Butorphanol was also administered intravenously to stabilize the level of anaesthesia. Upon physical examination, the zebra foal was found to have an ankylosed/stiff hock joint due to inflammation. 900 mg Amoxicillin, 100 mg Flunixin meglumine and 10 ml Catasol were administered intramuscularly while 1 ml Ivermectin was administered intravenously. Anaesthesia was reversed with 75 mg Naltrexone given by IV & IM route. The foal has a favourable prognosis.
Case 13 – 25th April 2023
Zebra Post-mortem Game Farm
The Warden in charge of the Wildlife Research & Training Institute reported a male zebra foal (approx. 3-4 months old) that had died on 24th April 2023 in Game Farm near the GK Prison.
Post-mortem findings
The carcass was found lying on right lateral recumbency. It was fly invested and decomposing fast. The animal had good body condition, body condition score of 4. Skin lacerations were observed on the head because it had been towed on the ground. Pus encapsulated mass was found in the chest cavity on the cranial aspect the heart. The foal had an enlarged heart – cardiomegaly and its lungs had decomposed rapidly. The lungs had adhered to some parts of the chest cavity. The foal also had an enlarged spleensplenomegaly. The cause of death was found to be respiratory failure due to severe fibrinous pneumonia. Pyemia was a key finding in the chest cavity. Pus causing bacteria were in general blood and lymph circulation causing a fatal bacteremia.
Unfortunately, there are no pictures for this case.
Case 14 – 25th April 2023
While on patrol in Marula Estate, the veterinary unit came across an adult female zebra with a long wire snare around the neck. The zebra was darted with 5 mg Etorphine and 80 mg Azaperone. Fortunately, the zebra had not been injured by the snare. The snare was removed then anaesthesia was reversed with 75 mg Naltrexone given intravenously and intramuscularly The zebra has a good prognosis.
Case 15 – 25th April 2023
Zebra Natural Causes Aquilla Farm
Aquilla farm security staff reported a lame adult female zebra.
Immobilisation, examination and treatment
The animal was darted with 5 mg Etorphine and 80 mg Azaperone. It was found to have an inflamed and swollen pastern joint due to a sprain. 12,000 mg Oxytetracycline, 250 mg Flunixin meglumine and 40 ml Catasol were administered intramuscularly. 4 ml Ivermectin was also administered subcutaneously before anaesthesia was reversed with 75 g Naltrexone given by IV & IM route. The zebra has a favourable prognosis
Case 16 – 27th April 2023
Buffalo Snared Kenya Nut - Olmurogi
The SWT-KWS De-snaring Unit reported an adult female buffalo that was tethered to the ground by a nylon rope snare on its left front leg. The buffalo was darted with 9mg Etorphine and 80mg Azaperone. It had suffered bruises and self-inflicted injuries on the body and neck as it struggled to set itself free. The wounds were cleaned with water, rinsed with Iodine, and sprayed with a fly repellent. 12,000mg Oxytetracycline, 250mg Flunixin Meglumine and 40ml Catasol were administered intramuscularly while 5ml Ivermectin was administered subcutaneously. Anaesthesia was reversed and the buffalo has a good prognosis.
Case 17 – 27th April 2023
Zebra
While on their way to attend to the snared buffalo highlighted under case 16, the Rift Valley Mobile Veterinary Unit came across a male zebra foal with a long wire snare around the neck.
Immobilisation, examination and treatment
The zebra foal was darted with 3 mg Etorphine and 40 mg Azaperone. Fortunately, the zebra had not suffered any injury. The snare was removed then anaesthesia was reversed with 75 mg Naltrexone given intravenously and intramuscularly. The zebra foal has a good prognosis.
Case 18 – 30th April 2023
Zebra
Snared
An informer notified the Vet Unit about a zebra stallion that had a long wire around the neck. The zebra was darted with 5 mg Etorphine and 80 mg Azaperone. Luckily, the zebra had not suffered any injuries. The snare was removed then anaesthesia was reversed with 75 mg Naltrexone given intravenously and intramuscularly. The zebra stallion has a good prognosis.
Snared Kenya Nut - Olmurogi Kamathatha Area – Gilgil