SWT/KWS RIFT VALLEY MOBILE VETERINARY UNIT SEPTEMBER 2023
Introduction
16 Cases in September
5 Poaching Cases
1 Elephant Case
September Report by Dr. Titus Kaitho Over the reporting period, the Rift Valley Mobile Veterinary Unit attended to 16 Cases. This includes 1 black rhino post-mortem case on 31st August 2023 in Lake Nakuru National Park. The adult female black rhino named Mamkiror was found to have died of respiratory and cardiac failure. The team also attended to 1 elephant case, 2 leopard cases, 2 giraffe cases, 4 zebra cases, 2 oryx cases, 3 hippopotamus cases, and 1 ostrich case in September 2023. 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 also acknowledges Angela Sheldrick, CEO -SWT for her unwavering support and interest in the work undertaken by the Mobile Veterinary Unit. Additionally, the team thanks the Wildlife Research & Training Institute (WRTI) for hosting the Rift Valley Mobile Veterinary Unit. All the stakeholders and scouts who reported wildlife in distress and supported veterinary interventions are also appreciated. Thank you all.
Case Details Date
Species
Area Found
31-Aug 23
Rhino
Lake Nakuru N.P.
10-Sep 23
Giraffe
11-Sep 23
Reason for Intervention
Outcome
Postmortem
Autopsy on Mamkiror, a 10.7-year-old adult female black rhino
Died. Lung & heart failure.
Mt. Longonot
Spear
Examination of an adult male Masai Giraffe with a spear lodge in its right shoulder
Task successful
Zebra
Hell’s Gate N.P.
Natural Causes
Adult female zebra mauled by a hyena and severely wounded
Died. Euthanized
12-Sep 23
Giraffe
Hippo Point
Snared
Adult female Masai giraffe with a long wire snare on the left hind leg
Successfully treated
12-Sep 23
Oryx
Marula Estates
Natural Causes
Adult female fringe eared oryx wounded on the flank by the horns of another oryx
Successfully treated
14-Sep 23
Elephant
Kamnarok N.R.
Spear
Autopsy on an adult elephant bull killed by poison spear
Poaching Death
19-Sep 23
Oryx
Marula Estates
Technical Case
Horn trimming of an aggressive adult male oryx that gored and killed 3 female oryxes
Task successful
21-Sep 23
Ostrich
Mogotio Town
HWC
Translocation of 2 ostriches from Mogotio Town area to Lake Nakuru National Park
Task successful
22-Sep 23
Zebra
Olerai Farm
Natural Causes
Adult female zebra with a large wound on the chest area and front leg
Died. Euthanized
23-Sep 23
Leopard
Marula Estates
HWC
Examination of the carcass of an adult male leopard that was electrocuted
HWC Death
23-Sep 23
Hippo
Kihoto Area
HWC
Assessment for possible translocation of 5 hippos residing in the sewage ponds
Task successful
27-Sep 23
Hippo
Kihoto Area
HWC
Adult male hippo trapped in a narrow and 30ft deep water well in Kihoto Area
Task successful
27-Sep 23
Zebra
Marula Estates
Snared
Adult male common zebra with a nylon rope snare on the right front limb
Successfully treated
28-Sep 23
Zebra
Olerai Farm
Natural Causes
Female zebra foal mauled by a hyena and wounded on the hind leg
Prognosis Poor
29-Sep 23
Hippo
Kihoto Area
HWC
Habituation of problem hippos by hand feeding in preparation for capture and translocation
Task successful
29-Sep 23
Leopard
Bahati Forest
Snared
Adult female leopard tethered to a trap by a long wire snare on the right front limb
Successfully Treated and relocated
SWT/KWS Rift Valley Mobile Vet Unit Treatment Locations September 2023
Case 1 – 31st August 2023 Rhino
Post-mortem
Lake Nakuru National Park
Lake Nakuru National Park management reported the death of a 10.7-year-old black rhino named Mamkiror. The Rift Valley Mobile Veterinary Unit was requested to perform a post-mortem examination to establish the cause of death. General post-mortem findings The scene had been cordoned off with a yellow rope. There were visible footprints of the rhino as light showers had fallen the previous night. The rhino had moved around as it struggled to stand. The carcass was lying in left lateral recumbency. The lower and upper horns were intact (present). The rhinoceros had good body condition (body condition score of 4/5). The rhino had been mauled by scavengers on the mouth exposing the teeth on the upper and lower jaw. The right ear and eye had been devoured by scavengers. The anal region and the ears had also been eaten by scavengers. Specific post-mortem findings The rhino’s chest cavity had copious amounts of blood-tinged fluid. The lungs were pale on surface but congested on the cut surface. The pericardial sac external surface was nodular in appearance. One of lobes of the lungs was nodular in appearance. The chest cavity was full of fluid with fibrinous material adhering on the diaphragm and chest cavity. The following samples were submitted to the Lab (RVIL – Nakuru) for analysis - pericardial sac, lung tissue, liver, kidney, and spleen. Cause of death Mamkiror died of respiratory failure exacerbated by heart failure. The massive hydrothorax pathological finding terminally led to respiratory (lung) and (cardiac) heart failure.
Case 2 – 10th September 2023 Giraffe
Spear
Mt. Longonot National Park
The Rift Valley Mobile Veterinary Unit was informed about an adult male Masai Giraffe with a spear lodged in its shoulder. Immobilisation, examination and treatment Fortunately, the spear fell off the giraffe’s shoulder, and upon examination the severity of the injury was deemed to be minor. Given the rugged terrain, and the visual assessment of the giraffe’s injury, the team decided not to immobilize the giraffe. The giraffe has a good prognosis.
Case 3 – 11th September 2023 Zebra
Natural Causes
Hell’s Gate National Park
Hell’s Gate National Park management reported that an adult female zebra had been mauled and severely injured by a hyena. The zebra was darted with 5 mg Etorphine and 80 mg Azaperone. Upon physical examination, the team observed that the zebra had lost its rectum, reproductive organs, and a large part of the perineum. The zebra had a poor prognosis for recovery. Therefore, it was put to rest to alleviate further pain and suffering. The carcass was disposed of appropriately.
Case 4 – 12th September 2023 Giraffe
Snared
Hippo Point
Kasidra, the owner of Hippo Point, reported a snared adult female Masai giraffe. Immobilisation, examination and treatment The giraffe was immobilized with 15 mg Etorphine and 80 mg Azaperone. The long wire snare on the animal’s left hind leg was cut loose with wire cutters and removed. Fortunately, the wire snare had only caused minor bruises on the leg. No further treatment was necessary. Anaesthesia was reversed with 250 mg Naltrexone administered intravenously and intramuscularly. The giraffe has a good prognosis.
Case 5 – 12th September 2023 Oryx
Natural Causes
Marula Estates
Marula Estates management reported an adult female oryx injured on the flank by an aggressive oryx. The oryx was darted with 6 mg Etorphine and 60 mg Azaperone. 5 mg Butorphanol was administered IV upon immobilization to stabilize the levels of anaesthesia. The wound on the flank was cleaned with water, rinsed with Iodine, and sprayed with a fly repellent. 6,000 mg Amoxicillin, 250 mg Flunixin meglumine, 40 ml Catasol and 4 ml Ivermectin were administered. The oryx has a good prognosis.
Case 6 – 14th September 2023 Elephant
Poaching Postmortem - Spear
Chemsoso, Kamnarok National Reserve
On 13/09/2023, KWS – Kabarnet Station reported an ill adult elephant bull that had been seen walking with lot of difficulty and not feeding. The elephant had pus like discharge on right front leg. It was reported that before the elephant died, its right ear had become paralyzed. The Rift Valley Veterinary Unit performed a post-mortem examination on 14/09/2023 to determine the cause of death. General post-mortem findings The carcass was in sternal recumbency. The two tusks had been retrieved and stored in safe custody by KWS – Kabarnet Station. The elephant had excellent body condition (body condition score of 5 where 1 is very poor and 5 is excellent). There was a wound on the right front leg that was healing with granulating tissue. Specific post-mortem findings There was a stab wound on the back with a coal/charcoal like discharge. The stab wound on the back was 20 cm on the right aspect of the spinal cord. The stab wound on the skin surface was approx. 10 cm deep, and 5 cm in diameter and had black coloured discharge. The discharge was a coagulated black mass with “a cooked consistency”. The stab wound went through the spine muscles to terminate at the visceral organs’ cavity. The wound increased in diameter as it went down damaging the tissues. The stab wound was most likely inflicted by a sharp object – a spear laced with plant poison(s). Cause of death The elephant bull died from multiple organ failure caused by poisoning inflicted through a stab wound/injury by a poison laced spear. The main targeted organ was central nervous system. This was an intentional poaching case.
Case 7 – 19th September 2023 Oryx
Technical Case
Marula Estates
Marula estates management reported an aggressive adult male oryx had killed 3 female oryxes in the herd by goring them with its sharp horns. The oryx was darted with 6 mg Etorphine and 60 mg Azaperone. 5 mg Butorphanol was administered IV to stabilize the levels of anaesthesia upon immobilization. The sharp horns were trimmed off, haemorrhage was controlled by cauterization with hot iron bars. 9,000 mg Oxytetracycline, and 250 mg Flunixin meglumine were administered intramuscularly. 4 ml Ivermectin was administered subcutaneously then anaesthesia was reversed with 125 mg Naltrexone given intravenously and intramuscularly. The oryx has a good prognosis.
Case 8 – 21st September 2023 Ostrich
Human-Wildlife Conflict
Mogotio Town
The Warden – Baringo County reported 2 ostriches threatened by escalating human-wildlife conflict. The male ostrich had been herded to the Deput County Commissioner’s (DCC’s) compound for its security while the female ostrich was living in the garden of a community member. Each ostrich was darted with 4 mg Etorphine and 80mg Ketamine Hcl. 5 mg Butorphanol was administered to stabilize anaesthesia levels. The ostriches were loaded into a lorry and successfully relocated to Lake Nakuru National Park 51 Km away. Anaesthesia was reversed with 125 mg Naltrexone given by IV & IM route.
Case 9 – 22nd September 2023 Zebra
Natural Causes
Olerai Farm
Olerai Farm staff reported a wounded adult female zebra. Immobilisation, examination and treatment The zebra was darted with 5 mg Etorphine and 80 mg Azaperone. Upon physical examination, the large wound on the chest area and front leg was suspected to be a tumour (sarcoid). Sadly, the zebra had a poor prognosis. Therefore, it was put to rest to alleviate further pain and suffering.
Case 10 – 23rd September 2023 Leopard
Human-Wildlife Conflict
Marula Estates
This case was reported by Marula Estates through the Head-KWS Veterinary Services. On 23/09/2023 at Marula Estates, the Rift Valley Mobile Veterinary Unit examined a dead adult male leopard that had been electrocuted by a transformer. The carcass was preserved in a deep freezer awaiting taxidermy. On 24/09/2023, the whole leopard carcass on skin was surrendered to Veterinary Department HQs team for onward transmission to National Museums of Kenya (NMK) for taxidermy.
Case 11 – 23rd September 2023 Hippo
Human-Wildlife Conflict
Kihoto Area, Naivasha Sewage Plant
According to the community, 5 – 8 hippopotamuses from Lake Naivasha have moved to the Naivasha Sewage Plant ponds. When the veterinary team visited the area, there were 5 hippos at the sewage ponds, 2 of them had calves. The hippos had attacked 2 people and unfortunately one of them had been fatally injured. Pre-translocation assessment The Rift Valley Mobile Veterinary Unit carried out an assessment to establish the current situation in the area; to assess the feasibility of translocation these problem hippos to a safe place; and to interview the local community and find out their perspective. The veterinary team established that there were five (5) hippopotamuses in the sewage ponds. They were all living as one school. There were seven (7) sewage ponds in open ground with no fence. There was an open gate to the facility. There were many foot paths traversing the facility. “Local tourists” from Naivasha town frequented the area to watch the hippopotamuses. The landscape was heavily trenched. The sewage corridor towards the lake has moats and electric wires erected by farmers. Warning signage, which was blue in colour, had been placed on 23/09/2023 since the paint was still wet. Recommendations The Veterinary team recommended that the sewerage facility should be fenced off with chain link fence and a proper gate, under lock and key, should be installed. A guard should be stationed at the facility to deter vandalism. Proper signage, in red colour, should be placed at strategic points explicitly stating the fatal nature of a hippo attack. The presence of these animals in the ponds should be well spelt out in the signage. Trespassing should not be allowed. Once the area is fenced off, the translocation process can commence immediately. Habituation containers shall be placed strategically at the facility to trap the hippos once they are habituated by hand feeding. This will happen as feed resources become scarce at the facility which will force the hippos to eat from the habituation containers. Public education and awareness should be carried out. Local administration and KWS community warden(s) should team up to educate the public. Workers at the facility should be made aware of the dangers of moving close to the hippopotamuses and provoking the animals by throwing stones at them.
Case 12 – 23rd September 2023 Hippopotamus
Human-Wildlife Conflict
Kihoto Area, Naivasha Sewage Plant
The Senior Warden, Naivasha Station reported an adult male hippopotamus trapped in a narrow 30 ft deep water well. Rescue A JCB backhoe tractor was hired by SWT to dig a sloping trench leading into the well for the trapped hippopotamus to climb out. The hippo safely climbed out of the well and has a good prognosis.
Case 13 – 27th September 2023 Zebra
Snared
Kaneri Area – Marula Estates
The SWT-KWS De-snaring Unit reported an adult male zebra with a nylon rope snare tethering its left front leg to the ground. The zebra was darted with 5 mg Etorphine and 80 mg Azaperone. The snare was removed then the fresh wound it had inflicted was cleaned with water, rinsed with Iodine, and sprayed with a fly repellent. 250 mg Flunixin meglumine and 9,000 mg Oxytetracycline were administered intramuscularly then anaesthesia was reversed with 75 mg Naltrexone given IV & IM. The zebra stallion has a good prognosis.
Case 14 – 28th September 2023 Zebra
Natural Causes
Olerai Farm
Olerai Farm staff reported a female zebra foal had been mauled by a hyena on the hind leg. The foal was immobilized with 1.5 mg Etorphine and 5 mg Azaperone. The wound on the hind leg was cleaned with water, rinsed with Iodine then green clay and a fly repellent were applied. Additionally, 150 mg Flunixin meglumine, 3,000 mg Amoxicillin and 20 ml Catasol were administered intramuscularly. 4 ml Ivermectin was also administered subcutaneously. Anaesthesia was reversed with 125 mg Naltrexone given intramuscularly and intravenously. The foal has a guarded prognosis.
Case 15 – 29th September 2023 Hippopotamus
Human-Wildlife Conflict
Kihoto Area – Naivasha Sewage Plant
On 28/29.09.2023 the Rift Valley Mobile Unit begun monitoring and habituation of problem hippopotamuses at the Naivasha Sewerage Plant ponds. The hippos were hand-fed with alfalfa, molasses & cabbages. The habituation process will continue until the hippos are captured and translocated.
Case 16 – 29th September 2023 Leopard
Snared
Bahati Forest
This case was reported by the Lake Nakuru National Park Problem Animal Control (PAC) team. Immobilisation, examination and treatment The adult female leopard was immobilized with 240 mg Ketamine and 2.5 mg Medetomidine. Its right front limb was tethered to a trap by a long wire snare. The limb was slightly injured and swollen. Luckily, there were no fractures. The snare was removed then the soft tissue wounds were cleaned with water, rinsed with Iodine, and sprayed with a fly repellent. Long-acting antibiotics and anti-inflammatories were then administered. The immobilized leopard was carried from the forest to the road 2 Km away and placed in a trap. Anaesthesia was reversed 1-hour post-darting with 20 mg Atipamezole. Relocation and Prognosis The leopard was later relocated and released in Aberdare National Park. The leopard has a good prognosis.