SWT/KWS RIFT VALLEY MOBILE VETERINARY UNIT
JUNE 2024
9 Cases in June 2024
June Report by
Dr. Titus Kaitho
2 Poaching Cases
2 HWC Cases
The Central Rift Valley Conservation Area, including Lake Naivasha, have received sporadic showers through the month of June with cold nights and warmer days. The Rift Valley Mobile Veterinary Unit visited the following areas; Soysambu Conservancy, Marula Estates, Kijabe farm, Nightgale farm, Olerai Wildlife Sanctuary, KALRO - DTI among other areas. Other than the routine clinic case work and security patrols the Unit also attended to 9 cases, including 7 zebras, a waterbuck and the post-mortem of a black rhino which had been killed by gunshot but both horns were intact and retrieved.
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
June 2024
Case 1 – 31st May 2024
Zebra
Natural Causes
Kijabe Farm
This case was reported by Kijabe farm staff and KWS Naivasha Station. The fetus was still born. Scouts had attempted to extract the dead fetus but the zebra could not stand up.
Immobilisation, examination and treatment
This zebra was darted using 2mg Etorphine plus 30mg Azaperone. This was to facilitate examination.
On examination, the zebra had suffered a dystocia caused by the malpresentation of the dead foetus. The zebra had suffered nerve injury in the pelvic region during extraction of the still birth foetus by the scouts. We did an obstetrical examination by liberal lubrication of the birth canal using liquid paraffin. The uterus was cleaned and placenta debris removed. Intra uterine pessaries; Oxytetracycline 1-gram pessaries 6 in number were inserted into the uterus. The zebra was also administered with 9,000mg Betamox and 250mg Flumeg and 40ml Catasol by IM.
Revival and prognosis
We reversed the zebra from anaesthesia using 75mg of Naltrexone given by IM and IV route. Prognosis of this case was guarded. The zebra succumbed to death later in the day. The carcass was safely disposed .
Case 2 – 9th June 2024
Waterbuck Natural Causes Kijabe Farm
On examination, the waterbuck was paralyzed. The cause of prolonged recumbency was due to complications of advanced pregnancy, emaciation/weight loss and mineral deficiencies. The case had a poor prognosis. She was put to rest to alleviate further suffering.
Case 3 – 9th June 2024
Zebra
Human-wildlife conflict
Kijabe Farm
This zebra was darted using 5mg Etorphine plus 80mg Azaperone. On examination the cause of severe lameness was due to suppurative wounds on the hind leg. The zebra had been injured by entrapment into fence wires. The wounds were infected and suppurative. We cleaned the wounds using water and rinsed the same using tincture of Iodine. A fly repellant (Alamycin® Aerosal) was also applied.
We administered the following 300mg Flumeg (Flunixin Meglumine 5%) by IM route, 9,000mg Betamox (Amoxicillin Trihydrate 150mg/ml) injection by IM route and 5ml Intermectin (Ivermectin) by SQ route, and 40ml Catasol (Germany) by IM route
We reversed the zebra from general anaesthesia using 75mg of Naltrexone by IV route and a ¼ of the dose by IM route to avoid re-narcotization. disposed Prognosis of this case is good.
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This case was reported by Kijabe Security staff
Immobilisation, examination and treatment
This zebra was darted using 5mg Etorphine plus 80mg Azaperone. On examination the zebra had suppurative wounds on the rump. The cause of these wounds was due to a territorial fight. We cleaned the wounds using water and rinsed the same using tincture of iodine. A fly repellant (Alamycin® Aerosal) was applied.
We also administered the following:
• Betamox ® (Amoxicillin Trihydrate 150mg/ml) injection 9,000mg by IM route
• Flumeg (Flunixin Meglumine 5%) 250 mg by IM route
• Intermectin® 1% (Ivermectin) 5mL by SQ route
• Catasol® 40mL by IM route
Revival and prognosis
We reversed the zebra from anaesthesia using 75mg Naltrexone given by IM and IV route. Prognosis is good.
Case 5 – 11th June 2024
Black Rhino Bullet Wound Kijabe Farm
Lake Nakuru NP management reported a death of the black rhino. From a security brief at the scene, on Saturday at 19.00hrs on 08.06.2024, a single gunshot was heard between Pwani dam and Mlima Ngatia area.
Postmortem Examination
The carcass was fresh (2-3 days old) with no strong smell of putrefaction and no maggots present. It was lying on supine position with the lower and upper horns intact. The rhino was in excellent body condition, body condition score of 5. There was heavy scavenger presence (especially hyenas). Scavengers had eaten the mouth (teeth were exposed), as well as the left eye, left ear and the right and left hind legs All visceral organs including the colon, small intestines, stomach, kidneys, liver, spleen, diaphragm, lungs and heart had been completely devoured/eaten clean by scavengers.
i. There was one clear entry point of a projectile to the right side of the chest, behind the right front leg
ii. The bullet head had caused a comminuted fracture of the 7th rib. Small bone fragments were seen
iii. A perforating wound to the chest cavity was established by using a piece of stick as a probe
iv. The metal detector equipment detected metal debris in the remaining blood-tinged fluid resting in the abdominal cavity and the pelvic region
Cause of Death
The cause of death of this male black rhino was severe traumatic injury caused by gunfire.
Case 6 – 15th June 2024
Zebra Snared Marula Estates, Naivasha
This zebra was darted using 5mg Etorphine plus 80mg Azaperone.
On examination the cause of severe lameness was due to severe inflammation caused by a wire snare on the right front leg. We cleaned the wound using water and rinsed the same using tincture of Iodine. A fly repellant (Alamycin® Aerosal) was applied. We also administered 300mg Flumeg, 9,000mg Betamox and 40ml Catasol by IM route as well as 5ml Intermectin by SQ Route.
We reversed the zebra from general anesthesia using 75mg of Naltrexone by IV route and a ¼ of the dose by IM route to avoid re-narcotization.
Prognosis of this case is good
Case 7 – 17th June 2024
Zebra
Natural Causes
Olerai Wildlife Sanctuary
This zebra foal was darted using 3mg etorphine plus 40mg Azaperone. On examination the cause of severe lameness was due to a closed complete fracture of the left femur. The zebra foal was in pain and had lost 30% of the leg muscles mass. The case had a poor prognosis. The foal was put to rest.
Zebra
Human-wildlife conflict
This case was reported by Kijabe Farm staff
Immobilisation, examination and treatment
Kijabe Farm
This zebra was darted using 5mg Etorphine plus 80mg Azaperone.
On examination the cause of severe lameness was due to suppurative infected wounds on the hind leg. The zebra had been injured by entrapment in a wire fence.
We cleaned the wounds using water and rinsed the same using tincture of Iodine. A fly repellant (Alamycin® Aerosal) was applied. The zebra was then administered with 150mg/ml Betamox (Amoxicillin Trihydrate) injection 9,000mg by IM route, 250mg Flumeg (Flunixin Meglumine 5%) by IM route, 5ml Intermectin® 1% (Ivermectin) by SQ route and 40ml Catasol® by IM route.
Reversal and prognosis
We reversed the zebra from general anaesthesia using 75mg of Naltrexone by IV route and a ¼ of the dose by IM route to avoid re-narcotization. Prognosis of this case is favourable to guarded. .
The Unit stumbled on this case while on patrol.
Immobilisation, examination and treatment
This zebra was darted using 6mg Etorphine plus 60mg Azaperone.
On examination the zebra had been wounded on the neck. The wound was infected and suppurative. The cause of the wound was due to a territorial fight. We surgically removed part of the hanging and dying skin to promote faster healing. We cleaned the wound using water and rinsed the same using tincture of Iodine. A fly repellant (Alamycin® Aerosal) was applied. We also administered Flumeg (Flunixin Meglumine 5%) 300 mg by IM route, Betamox® (Amoxicillin Trihydrate 150mg/ml) injection 9,000mg by IM route, Intermectin® 1% w/v (Ivermectin) 5mL by SQ route and Catasol® (Germany) 40mL by IM route
Reversal and prognosis
We reversed the zebra from general anaesthesia using 75mg of Naltrexone by IV route and a ¼ of the dose by IM route to avoid re-narcotization. Prognosis of this case is good.
