SWT/KWS Rift Valley Mobile Veterinary Report for August 2024
SWT/KWS RIFT VALLEY MOBILE VETERINARY UNIT
AUGUST 2024
August
15 Cases in August 5 Poaching Cases 1 Elephant Case
Report by Dr. Titus Kaitho
15 Wildlife clinical case interventions were undertaken during the month of August. Rift Valley Mobile Veterinary Unit visited the following areas; Hippo Point, Sopa Lodge, Olerai Wildlife Sanctuary, Lake Nakuru NP, Sanctuary farm, NINI farm, Kamathatha – Gilgil, Manera Estate, Kijabe farm, Ragia forest – Njabini, Oserengoni Wildlife Sanctuary, Loldia Wildlife Conservancy among other areas.
During the month of August, there was a reduction in poaching injuries with only four snaring cases and one spearing case. One giraffe with a spear wound sadly succumbed during treatment, the zebra with a spear wound was given a guarded prognosis whilst the two zebras and a warthog were successfully treated. There was only one human-wildlifict conflict where a zebra was injured by a machete/panga.
All of the other cases were as a result of natural causes. Two zebras, a buffalo and a giraffe were all treated successfully, unfortunately a zebra was too severely injured and had to be euthanised. Three post-mortems were also carried out, one on a giraffe and sadly on a mother and calf White Rhino who drowned after torrential rains. The Unit also assisted with the assessment of the feasibility of translocation of warthogs whose numbers are beyond the carrying capacity of the Sanctuary to another safe place.
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.
SWT/KWS Rift Valley Mobile Vet Unit Treatment Locations
August 2024
Case Details
Date
Species Area Found
3-Aug-24 Giraffe Naivasha Snared
Reason for Intervention Outcome
The giraffe had a long-standing wire snare on the hind leg Poaching Death
5-Aug-24 Zebra Naivasha Natural Causes The zebra was suffering severe lameness and swelling of the hind leg Successfully Treated
5-Aug-24 Zebra Naivasha Natural Causes The zebra had suffered a traumatic injury on the left front leg
7-Aug-24 Zebra Naivasha Spear
8-Aug-24 Warthog Naivasha Technical Cases
Successfully Treated
The zebra had a stab wound on the left flank caused by a sharp object i.e. a spear Prognosis Poor
Assess the feasibility of translocation of warthogs whose numbers are beyond the carrying capacity of the sanctuary Task Successful
9-Aug-24 Zebra Gilgil Snared On examination the female zebra had been snared by a nylon rope Successfully Treated
14-Aug-24 Zebra Naivasha Snared
14-Aug-24 Zebra Naivasha Natural Causes
The zebra had been wounded and snared by a winch wire on the right front leg
Successfully Treated
The zebra had suffered a tear on the abdominal region. The intestines had escaped from the abdomen Died
14-Aug-24 Elephant Aberdare National Park Postmortem Two stab wounds inflicted by a sharp object on the dorsal aspect of the neck Died
16-Aug-24 Giraffe Naivasha
Natural Causes On examination the giraffe had suffered a suppurative wound on the hind leg Successfully Treated
17-Aug-24 Rhino White Lake Nakuru Postmortem
17-Aug-24 Rhino White Lake Nakuru Postmortem
22-Aug-24 Zebra Oserengoni Wildlife Sanctuary Human Wildlife Conflict
The cause of death of this female white rhino was as a result of drowning. The area had received torrential rain, the ground was soft and slippery Died
The cause of death of this female white rhino calf was as a result of drowning. Died
The male zebra had suffered several sharp object(s) i.e. machete cuts/wounds on four legs Successfully Treated
22-Aug-24 Buffalo Loldia Conservancy Natural Causes On examination the buffalo was suffering a chronic suppurative wound on the right ear Successfully Treated
29-Aug-24 Warthog Olerai Wildlife Sanctuary Snared On examination the warthog had been snared by a winch wire on the left front leg.
Successfully Treated
Case 1 – 3rd August 2024
Giraffe Snared Naivasha
This case was reported by Hippo Point Security staff
Immobilisation, examination and treatment
This giraffe was darted using 13mg Etorphine plus 60mg Azaperone.
On examination the female giraffe had a long-standing wire snare on the hind leg. The snare had caused a large gangrenous wound. The wire had cut off the extensor tendon of the leg
Prognosis
The giraffe unfortunately died during the operation.
Case 2 – 5th August 2024
Zebra Natural Causes
This zebra was darted using 5mg Etorphine plus 80mg Azaperone.
Naivasha, Sanctuary Farm
On examination the male zebra was suffering severe lameness and swelling of the hind leg. The cause of lameness was due to trauma of the lower limb. We administered 9,000mg Betamox, 250mg Flumeg and 40ml Butasal by IM Route as well as 5ml Noromectin by SQ route
Prognosis for full recovery is good.
Case 3 – 5th August 2024
Zebra Natural Causes
This zebra was darted using 5mg Etorphine plus 80mg Azaperone.
Naivasha, Sanctuary Farm
On examination the zebra had suffered a traumatic injury on the left front leg. The leg was swollen and inflamed due to the trauma. Pain was the cause of severe lameness. We administered 9,000mg Betamox, 250mg Flumeg and 40ml Butasal by IM Route as well as 5ml Noromectin by SQ route.
Prognosis for full recovery is good.
Case
This case was reported by Sopa Lodge staff
Immobilisation, examination and treatment
This zebra was darted using 5mg Etorphine plus 80mg Azaperone.
On examination, the male zebra had a stab wound on the left flank. The cause of this penetrating wound was due to a sharp object i.e. a spear. We shaved the surrounding area to facilitate fast wound healing. We cleaned the wound using water and rinsed it with tincture of Iodine. A fly repellent (Alamycin) was applied. The zebra was also administered the following:
I. Betamox ® (Amoxicillin Trihydrate 150mg/ml) injection 9,000mg by IM route
II. Flumeg (Flunixin Meglumine 5%) 300 mg by IM route
III. Noromectin® 1% w/v (Ivermectin) 5mL by SQ route
IV. Butasal 40mL by IM route
Prognosis
Prognosis of this case is guarded.
Zebra Spear Sopa Lodge, Naivasha
Case 5 – 8th August 2024
Warthog Technical Case Olerai Sanctuary, Naivasha
This is a response after a request by the property owner to translocated warthogs out of the Sanctuary.
Assessment
The Olerai Wildlife Sanctuary is 200-300 beautiful rewilded lakeside acres of land teeming with wildlife. The animals are calm and mingle with a lot of ease with the visitors. However, there is a high population of herbivores and as the lake has started to flood much of the riparian land, it has further reduced viable grazing acres for wildlife. The sanctuary has reached it’s carrying capacity for wildlife, warthogs in particular which exceed over 120 individuals. The Unit attended the Sanctuary and assessed the number of animals and the habitat to offer recommendations to management.
Recommendations
At least 75% of the resident warthogs can be translocated to ease pressure on the fragile ecosystem. This translocation should also we made with KWS Management and any proposed recipient of the warthogs.
Another observation made was the rising lake waters will bring hippos and buffalos closer in land. Proper signage, education and awareness, with the participation with adjacent property owners, needs to be put in place to reduce any chance of a fatal attack.
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Zebra Snared Gilgil
This case was reported by a community member through KWS Lake Elementaita Wildlife Sanctuary
Immobilisation, examination and treatment
This zebra was darted using 5mg Etorphine and 80mg Azaperone.
On examination the female zebra had been snared by a nylon rope and suffered a wound on the right hind leg. The wound was cleaned with plenty of water and liberally rinsed with tincture of Iodine. A fly repellent (Alamycin Aerosol) was also applied.
The zebra was also given 9,000mg Betamox antibiotic, 300mg Flumeg and 40ml Butasol by IM route as well as 5ml Noromectin by SQ route to control against internal and external parasites.
Reversal and prognosis
We reversed the zebra from anaesthesia using 75mg of Naltrexone given by IM and IV route. Prognosis of this case is good.
This case was reported by Manera Estate Security staff through WRTI security staff
Immobilisation, examination and treatment
This zebra was darted using 5mg Etorphine combined with 80mg Azaperone.
On examination the male zebra had been wounded and snared by a winch wire on the right front leg. The zebra also had suffered an injury to the right hind leg due to the snare. We cleaned the wound using water and rinsed the wound with tincture of Iodine. A fly repellent (Alamycin® Aerosol) was applied.
The zebra was also given 9,000mg Betamox antibiotic, 300mg Flumeg and 40ml Butasol by IM route as well as 5ml Noromectin by SQ route to control against internal and external parasites.
Prognosis
We reversed the zebra from anaesthesia using 75mg of Naltrexone given by IV route and a ¼ of the dose administered by IM route to avoid re-narcotization
Prognosis of this case is good.
Zebra Snared Manera Farm, Naivasha
Zebra Natural Causes
Kijabe Farm Naivasha
This case was reported by Lake Naivasha Country club staff through KWS Naivasha Station
Immobilisation and examination
This zebra was darted using 5mg Etorphine plus 80mg Azaperone.
On examination the zebra had suffered a tear on the abdominal region. The intestines had escaped from the abdomen and were hanging exposed.
The traumatic injury on the abdomen was due to a sharp object, possibly a wooden stump. The tear was way above the umbilical scar and the wound was heavily contaminated.
Prognosis and management
Prognosis of the case was poor. The zebra was put to rest.
Case
9 – 14th August 2024
Elephant
Post-mortem
Abedares National Park
Kenya Wildlife Service – Njabini reported a dead elephant on the 14.08.2024 in Ragia forest.
Post-mortem examination
Both tusks were present and had been retrieved earlier by KWS - Njabini officers The elephant was on right lateral recumbency. The elephant had excellent body condition (body condition score of 5).
• Two wounds inflicted by a sharp object on the dorsal aspect of the neck. Depth of the penetration of the upper most wound was about 45cm and of the lower wound was about 20cm
• Sharp object chest wound whose depth was about 10cm
• Wound or opening on the abdomen with herniated viscera about the size of a soccer ball
• Left ear had two sharp object tears which had penetrated through the ear
• Two sharp object wounds on the left thigh
• Fracture of the 4th cervical vertebral bone with clots of blood on the dorsal aspect of the neck in 3rd and 4th cervical vertebrae
Cause of death
This elephant died due to a traumatic injury to the neck caused by another elephant during a territorial fight
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Giraffe Natural Causes
This case was reported by NINI farm staff
Immobilisation, examination and treatment
Nini Farm, Naivasha
This giraffe was darted using 15mg Etorphine and 80mg Azaperone.
On examination the giraffe had suffered suppurative wound on the hind leg. We cleaned the wound using water and rinsed the same using tincture of Iodine. A fly repellant (Alamycin® Aerosol) was applied.
The giraffe was also administered with 24,000mg Alamycin LA 300 (Oxytetracycline 300mg/ml) Norbrook by IM route, 1,000mg Flumeg (Flunixin Meglumine 5%) by IM route and 60mg Butsal by IM route and 10ml Noromectin® 1% w/v (Ivermectin) 10mL by SQ route
Reversal and prognosis
We reversed the giraffe from the anaesthesia using 250mg of Naltrexone given by IV route and a ¼ of the dose administered by IM route to avoid re-narcotization. Prognosis of this case is good.
Case 11 & 12 – 17th August 2024
White Rhino Post-mortem
Lake Nakuru NP
This report describes a postmortem examination of one adult female white rhino and her calf at Lake Nakuru National Park.The adult female was found on the 17th August and the calf carcass was then found after a serious search of the Makalia River.
Post-mortem examination
Both carcasses were found on the floor of the Makalia River. The area is swampy and not accessible. The riverbanks are steep and slippery. The adult female carcass was lying in a supine position. The carcass had been trapped by roots of trees and branches at the floor of the river. The lower and upper horns were present and retrieved for custody. A farm tractor could not access the river to assist in retrieval of the adult carcass and the carcass remains on the floor of the river.
There were only the hind legs remaining of the calf carcass. Both carcasses were partially decomposed with no smell. Plausible date of death was 15.08.2024
Cause of death
The cause of death of both white rhinos was drowning while attempting to cross the swollen river. The area had received torrential rain. The river had flooded the area due to heavy rains in the Mau ecosystem.
This zebra was darted using 5mg Etorphine plus 80mg Azaperone.
On examination, the male zebra had suffered several machete cuts/wounds on four legs. We shaved the surrounding area of wounds to facilitate faster healing then cleaned the wounds with water and Iodine. A fly repellent (Alamycin) was applied. We also administered 9,000mg Betamox, 300mg Flumeg and 40ml Butasal by IM Route as well as 5ml Noromectin by SQ route.
Prognosis of this case is favourable.
Case 14 – 22nd August 2024
Buffalo Natural Causes
This buffalo was darted using 9mg Etorphine plus 80mg Azaperone.
Loldia Wildlife Conservancy
On examination the buffalo was suffering a chronic suppurative wound on the right ear pinna. The wound was cleaned using water and rinsed with tincture of Iodine. A fly repellent (Alamycinl) was applied. We administered 18,000mg Alamycin and 1,000mg Flumeg by IM route as well as 10ml Noromectin by SQ route
Prognosis of this case is good.
Warthog Snared Olerai Wildlife Sanctuary
This case was reported by Olerai Wildlife Sanctuary staff
Immobilisation, examination and treatment
This warthog was darted using 4mg Etorphine plus 30mg Azaperone.
On examination the warthog had been snared by a winch wire on the left front leg. The leg was swollen and the winch wire was strangulating the tissues. The wound was cleaned using water, rinsed with tincture of Iodine and sprayed with a fly repellant (Alamycin® Aerosol).
We also administered the following:
I. Betamox ® (Amoxicillin Trihydrate 150mg/ml) 3,000mg by IM route
II. Colvasone ® (Dexamethasone) 2mg by IM route
III. Noromectin® 1% w/v (Ivermectin) 2mL by SQ route
