Case 9 & 10 –

Translocation of Impalas, Ostriches, and a Wildebeest in Marula Estates from 14th February 2023 to 16th February 2023

Cesare area in Marula estate is home to various wildlife species such as impala, zebra, ostrich, wildebeest, Thompson gazelle among others. The proprietor requested KWS to translocate 8 ostriches, 6 specific male impalas and 1 male wildebeest to Hill cake area, Corner Mbaya area and Kipiro areas respectively

Immobilisation, capture and translocation

1 adult male ostrich was chemically immobilized by darting from a vehicle with 4mg Etorphine and 80 mg Ketamine while the other 5 ostriches (comprising 3 adult females, 1 adult male and 1 female chick) were captured with nets 2 of the 3 adult female ostriches that were captured with nets run for a distance and were quite exhausted. Sadly, both ostriches died due to exhaustion despite the team’s best efforts. The surviving adult ostriches were injected with 80 mg Ketamine upon capture, they were then loaded onto a lorry. The chick was lured into the net, captured by hand, and physically restrained until release.

The 5 adult male impalas were chemically immobilized by darting from a vehicle with 2.0-2.5 mg Etorphine and 10 mg Azaperone Anaesthesia for each of the animals was reversed with 40 mg Naltrexone immediately after it went down. Each impala also received Dexamethasone and Vitamin E / selenium intramuscularly. The impalas were then loaded onto a translocation lorry.

The wildebeest was darted with 6 mg Etorphine and 60 mg Azaperone. Anaesthesia was reversed with 120 mg Naltrexone once it had been loaded onto the lorry. The animals were then driven from the loading site in Cesare to their respective release sites in Hill cake and Corner Mbaya area (approx. 8 Km) and Kipiro (approx. 15 Km). The translocation team successfully captured and translocated 4 Ostriches, 5 adult male Impalas, and 1 adult male wildebeest.

Acknowledgement

The Rift Valley Mobile Veterinary Unit wishes to thank the following partners for their collaboration in ensuring the exercise was successful: Kenya Wildlife Service Director General and Management; Kenya Wildlife Service Veterinary Services & Species Programme Departments and Marula Estates Ltd

Case 11 – 20th February 2023

Waterbuck Snared Crescent Island

Sanctuary Farm scouts reported an adult female waterbuck with a wire snare around the neck.

Immobilisation, examination and treatment

The snared waterbuck was darted with 6 mg Etorphine and 60 mg Azaperone. The waterbuck had a long wire snare around the neck. Fortunately, the animal had only suffered some minor bruises. The snare was removed then anaesthesia was reversed with 75 mg Naltrexone given by IV & IM route to avoid re-

Case 12 – 21st February 2023

Giraffe Snared Hippo Point

An adult female giraffe snared on the front and hind legs was reported by Ms Casidra. The Vet Unit attempted to immobilize the giraffe with 13 mg Etorphine and 60 mg Azaperone. Unfortunately, the team failed to stop the powerful and huge giraffe as they attempted to rope it down, the giraffe ran into the lake and regrettably drowned. The following day, the team retrieved the carcass from the lake for safe disposal.