SKY VET REPORT JUNE TO SEPTEMBER 2019
JUNE TO SEPTEMBER 2019
THE SHELDRICK WILDLIFE TRUST
www.sheldrickwildlifetrust.org
SKY VET QUARTERLY OVERVIEW During June to September 2019 the SWT/KWS Sky Vet program was called to handle 16 wildlife cases. Most of these cases were supported by the SWT helicopter as well as one outsourced aircraft to help with elephant darting operations as well as search and monitoring operations. 14 of these cases attended to involved elephants and 2 involved predators (1 snared leopard and 1 snared lion). Of the 14 elephant cases, 5 involved arrow wounds, 1 was a bullet wound case, 2 were snaring cases, 3 spear cases, 1 was a Human Wildlife Conflict case, and 2 cases were due to natural causes. 63% of the cases were successful including another 6% taken to an orphanage, 25% given a poor prognosis and 6% were not located. Without rapid veterinary response, the majority of these cases would have died from their injuries. The Sky Vet program has deployed KWS vets to the following locations during this reporting period
JUNE TO SEPTEMBER 2019
THE SHELDRICK WILDLIFE TRUST
www.sheldrickwildlifetrust.org
JUNE TO SEPTEMBER 2019
THE SHELDRICK WILDLIFE TRUST
www.sheldrickwildlifetrust.org
CASE 1: 5th June 2019
TSAVO WEST
INJURED ELEPHANT
INTRODUCTION The report was received from Mtito SWT de-snaring team that an elephant bull had sustained an arrow injury to the side of the body. The vet team drove to the area where they were joined by the SWT helicopter. The bull was searched for using the helicopter and easily located nearby in the company of a smaller bull. There was a swelling on the left abdominal area.
IMMOBILISATION, EXAMINATION AND TREATMENT Darting equipment and immobilization drugs were prepared. The elephant was approached using the helicopter and darted in the rump. He was directed towards the road by the helicopter. He went down after 7 minutes. The trunk and the ear were positioned correctly to aid breathing and water splashed on the ears to keep him cool during treatment. Shrubs were trimmed to provide enough space for examination. There was a swelling on the left abdominal wall from a suspected old injury but with no wound or pus oozing out. The old wound had healed with fibrosis giving it a characteristic swelling that’s typical of fresh injuries. All other areas of the animal were examined and found to be ok.
PROGNOSIS The anaesthesia was reversed by intravenous administration of Diprenorphine at three times the Etorphine dose. The bull woke up and walked away slowly. Prognosis is good.
JUNE TO SEPTEMBER 2019
THE SHELDRICK WILDLIFE TRUST
www.sheldrickwildlifetrust.org
CASE 2: 28th June 2019
SELENGEI, AMBOSELI
INJURED ELEPHANT
INTRODUCTION Biglife Rangers reported an injured elephant cow had been seen near Porini camp within Selengei Conservancy in the Amboseli ecosystem. The Vet was airlifted by an SWT aircraft to Kaluku where they boarded the SWT helicopter for the 45 minutes journey to Selengei. The team arrived to find the Biglife team waiting for them at Selengei airstrip. After a short briefing the now bigger team embarked on the exercise.
CHEMICAL IMMOBILIZATION & TREATMENT The helicopter searched for the injured elephant cow who was easily located in a herd of 6 elephants. The helicopter came in low for the darting and elephant cow was darted in the rump. The cow ran off leaving the other elephants, but the helicopter managed to keep her within the area until she went down after 13 minutes. The helicopter landed and the ground team joined the darting team. A deeply embedded spear was lodged in the elephant’s head. The spear was slowly pulled out and the wound doused with Iodine, sprayed with Oxytetracycline spray and finally covered with wetted green clay. The elephant was also administered with long acting antibiotics and Flunixin Meglumine. Being satisfied that the injury was not life threatening, the cow was given a clean bill of health.
PROGNOSIS The anaesthesia was reversed, and the cow stood up and walked away calmly. Prognosis is good.
THE SHELDRICK WILDLIFE TRUST
www.sheldrickwildlifetrust.org
CASE 3: 30th June 2019
OL DONYO WUAS, CHYULU HILLS
INJURED ELEPHANT
INTRODUCTION This case was reported by rangers of the Biglife Foundation that an elephant bull was seen at Oldonyo Wuas Lodge waterhole with injuries to the trunk. The rangers notified the SWT field office who contacted the Tsavo Vet Unit who was airlifted to Oldonyo Wuas lodge where they met the Trust’s helicopter already there. The rangers kept an eye on the bull all this time.
CHEMICAL IMMOBILIZATION & TREATMENT The elephant was approached using a helicopter and darted in the rump. He ran away briefly but was pushed back by the helicopter. He went down after 12 minutes. The elephant bull had 3 spear wounds on the base and midsection of the trunk with one injury going through the trunk and coming out on the opposite side. There were two other spear wounds on the perineal area below the tail. The wounds were cleaned using Iodine and sprayed with Oxytetracycline spray. A final cover of green clay was used to cover the wounds to keep of flies and aid in healing. The elephant was administered with long acting antibiotics and Dexamethasone Hcl.
PROGNOSIS After ensuring that the bull was out of danger, the anaesthesia was reversed. The big bull stood up and walked away calmly. Prognosis is good.
THE SHELDRICK WILDLIFE TRUST
www.sheldrickwildlifetrust.org
CASE 4: 14th July 2019
LAMURIA, LAIKIPIA
INJURED LEOPARD
INTRODUCTION A sky vet team was called to attend to elephant and leopard cases in Lamuria, Laikipia. The team left to attend the urgent cases from Nairobi. However, the elephant was not spotted in the bushes even after 2 days of searching. The leopard was however captured and treated.
INTERVENTION AND TREATMENT The leopard was captured by laying a capture trap in the region it was suspected to have been. It successfully got into the trap on the 13th July. The team immediately embarked on its rescue mission and transported it to Nanyuki station with the help of the Laikipia PAC team. Darting was done from a dan inject dart gun using 4 mg medetomidine and 120 mg ketamine. The leopard went down in about6 min. On physical examination the leopard had a tight snare on the left forelimb proximal to her digits. Digit 2 and 4 were severely injured hence a need to amputate them. The snare was removed then the wound well cleaned with water, hydrogen peroxide and finally lavaged with tincture of iodine. Topical antibiotic, green clay and antibiotic spray was applied. The wound was then well dressed and bandaged. The leopard was then injected with 20 ml Betamox LA and 15 ml dexamethasone at different sites intramuscularly. Revival was done and the leopard got up after 40 minutes. The operation lasted about 2 hours.
PROGNOSIS The leopard will be relocated to the KWS Veterinary headquarters for further veterinary treatment and care.
THE SHELDRICK WILDLIFE TRUST
www.sheldrickwildlifetrust.org
CASE 5: 20th July 2019
KALUKU, TSAVO EAST
INJURED ELEPHANT
INTRODUCTION Kaluku office reported the sick elephant to AMVU. The SWT rangers visited the site, confirmed the case. An aircraft was used to take the team to the area and to dart the elephant. Darting was done using a helicopter.
INTERVENTION AND TREATMENT The elephant was captured chemically using 18mg Etorphine HCl. It went down in about 4 minutes and rested on lateral recumbency for ease of treatment. The elephant was emaciated with a body score of 2 out of 5. The left rare limb was swollen and with an infected penetrating wound. The elephant was treated systemically with antibiotics (100ml of Amoxicillin (Betamox LA®), and multivitamin® 50ml through the intramuscular route. Flunixin® was given to arrest pain. The wound was narrow, open and had no foreign body in it. Oxy-tetracycline wound spray was applied on the wound to prevent fly strike. This treatment was second on the same elephant for the wound in period of 3 weeks before this treatment.
PROGNOSIS The prognosis was fair.
THE SHELDRICK WILDLIFE TRUST
www.sheldrickwildlifetrust.org
CASE 6: 24th July 2019
KANDERI, TSAVO EAST
INJURED ELEPHANT
INTRODUCTION SWT rangers reported an abandoned elephant calf to AMVU on 24th July 2019. The calf was lame and inactive. The AMVU team confirmed and treated the animal the same day. The AMVU team used an aircraft to access the calf
INTERVENTION AND TREATMENT The calf was immobilized using 5mg Etorphine HCl and pulled to a lateral recumbency position for treatment. The calf was in good body condition but with an extensive infected wound on the limb. It was treated systemically with antibiotics (50ml of Amoxicillin (Betamox LA®), and Calvasone ® 10ml, given through the intramuscular route. The wound was irrigated with iodine and sprayed with Oxytetracycline to cover for fly attack.
PROGNOSIS The prognosis was guarded.
THE SHELDRICK WILDLIFE TRUST
www.sheldrickwildlifetrust.org
CASE 7: 26th July 2019
KILUNYET, CHYULU HILLS
INJURED ELEPHANT
INTRODUCTION Big life rangers reported the sick elephant to AMVU. KWS rangers visited the site and confirmed the case to AMVU. AMVU travelled to the site using a vehicle but darting was done using a helicopter.
INTERVENTION AND TREATMENT The elephant was immobilized using 2 darts; the first dart was unsuccessful in capturing the bull and an additional dart had to be prepared and used. The bull went down in about 6 minutes after the second dart and rested on lateral recumbency. The elephant was in good body condition but had multiple swellings including one pus filled wound. The wound was narrow and had no foreign body in it but was likely caused by an arrow. All the pus was cleaned from the arrow wound, then the wound was disinfected and sprayed with Oxy-tetracycline wound spray. The elephant was then treated systemically with antibiotics (100ml of Amoxicillin (Betamox LA®), and multivitamin® 50ml through the intramuscular route.
PROGNOSIS The prognosis was good.
THE SHELDRICK WILDLIFE TRUST
www.sheldrickwildlifetrust.org
CASE 8: 27th July 2019
SALA, TSAVO EAST
INJURED LION
INTRODUCTION Galana Conservancy Rangers reported a snared lion to AMVU. While the AMVU team travelled to the area using an SWT aircraft, the search for the snared lion was conducted on foot and with a vehicle. It was difficult to locate and identify the lion due to thick bush which dominated the riverine. The lion eventually identified was darted from a vehicle but on examination, it didn’t have the snare. It is likely the snared lion was still hiding in the thick riverine, since there were 7 more lions in the same area. The snared lion search continues on the ground and the case will be revisited again after sighting. There are no pictures available for this case.
THE SHELDRICK WILDLIFE TRUST
www.sheldrickwildlifetrust.org
CASE 9: 28th July 2019
RUKINGA RANCH, TSAVO
INJURED ELEPHANT
INTRODUCTION The Wildlife Works team spotted an elephant bull with a fresh bleeding injury to the trunk and notified the Vet Unit. The Vet was airlifted by SWT aircraft to the area and joined the Wildlife Works Ground Team. The elephant was easily spotted as he foraged nearby in a herd of about 20 elephants.
INTERVENTION AND TREATMENT Darting equipment was prepared containing 18 mgs of Etorphine and the elephant was darted in the rump from the SWT helicopter. The helicopter followed the elephant from a distance and he finally went down after 8 minutes. The trunk and the ear were positioned correctly to aid in breathing and plenty of water poured on the ears to cool down. The elephant bull had a deep slash wound on the trunk most possibly inflicted by a person in a case of human-wildlife conflict. Three quarters of diameter of the trunk was severed. The wound was cleaned with tincture of Iodine and sprayed with Oxytetracycline spray then finally covered with green clay. The respiration, body temperature and heart rates were monitored throughout the treatment process. The elephant was administered with long acting antibiotics and Dexamethasone Hcl.
PROGNOSIS The anaesthesia was reversed by use of Diprenorphine Hcl at three times the Etorphine dose administered intravenously. The bull stood up and walked away slowly. Prognosis is guarded.
THE SHELDRICK WILDLIFE TRUST
www.sheldrickwildlifetrust.org
CASE 10: 3rd August 2019
MASAI MARA RESERVE
INJURED ELEPHANT
INTRODUCTION The sub adult elephant was reported on 2/8/2019 by the security officer based in Masai Mara National Reserve. It was spotted limping on the right hind limb occasioned by the penetrating arrow at knee joint laterally. The wood piece of spear had detached leaving the metallic piece halfway embedded in the fresh and the other half protruding out. The case was reported late afternoon thus an intervention through Sheldrick Wildlife Trust Sky Vet Initiative was planned for the next day. The security officer was tasked to locate the animal the following day to usher in the Sky vet initiative. Intervention kicked off later morning after the candidate was spotted. A Boscovich fixed wing was used to ferry the vet team to and from Masai Mara N.R.
INTERVENTION AND TREATMENT The young male was found in company of two big mothers with their calves and another male near Sandi River. Three vehicles involved in the exercise were strategically place at the edges of the swamp to drive the family out of swamp. One dart was prepared. Once in an open area the dart was placed on the left rump. During the elephant’s flight, the dart and the spear fell off, but the elephant soon laid down. Anesthesia was monitored throughout the intervention. The lame limb was examined through palpation for tenderness, swelling, heat, crepitation, sprain and foreign body. The wound was exuding bloody discharge and was about twenty-five centimeters deep. The joint integrity was sound but swelling, tenderness and heat were profound. No foreign body remnant was found nor crepitation. Both spear and dart were collected within the location of immobilization. Wound was cleaned and disinfected with Hydrogen Peroxide and Iodine. Wet green clay was infiltrated into the wound canal to the brim. Topically it was sprayed with Tetracycline Wound Spray liberally to repel flies. Systemically the elephant was injected with 3000mgs Amoxicillin and 24mgs Dexamethasone and 40ml Multivitamin intramuscular at different sites.
PROGNOSIS Good as the wound is expected to heal quickly because of timely response thanks to Sky Vet Initiative.
THE SHELDRICK WILDLIFE TRUST
www.sheldrickwildlifetrust.org
CASE 11: 5th August 2019
GALANA. TSAVO EAST
ORPHAN ELEPHANT ILLNESS
INTRODUCTION The management of SWT orphanage for care and nurturing of orphaned wild elephants requested for the screening and treatment of Dupoto who had deteriorated in health. She had been transferred from Ithumba back to the Nairobi Nursery during the year after observing deteriorated health status.
INTERVENTION AND TREATMENT The elephant was physically restrained and after examination, the following was observed; -Severe diarrhea Low body score (3 on a scale of 5) -Normal temperament -Anorexic -Fever -Pale mucous membranes Blood samples were collected for further analysis. These included; -Blood in EDTA -Whole blood -Blood smear On blood analysis, it was observed as follows; -Increased levels of lymphocytes, white blood cells and neutrophils -The RBC count was extremely low -Level of platelets was equally low -Morphology of WBC showed abnormality by gradually bisecting into two -Elevated levels of Alanine Amino transferase -Decreased levels of Alkaline phosphatase Haemoparasites On microscopy the following haemoparasites were observed; -Babesia -Ehrlichia Treatment -Imochem (Imidocarb dipropionate) -Catasol -Sulfadiazine Differential diagnosis; Lymphosarcoma
PROGNOSIS Guarded. A second blood analysis will be done in two weeks to check on the progress. Meanwhile, Dupoto is under close monitoring and continued treatment.
THE SHELDRICK WILDLIFE TRUST
www.sheldrickwildlifetrust.org
CASE 12: 15th August 2019
GALANA. TSAVO EAST
INJURED ELEPHANT
INTRODUCTION The elephant was observed with a snare around her head and neck by tourists in the Galana Conservancy. For three weeks, air and road patrols searched for the elephant to attempt to locate her. A sighting near Kulalu Camp was reported and the vet was airlifted to the area by SWT aircraft to prevent the risk that visuals on the elephant would be lost again.
INTERVENTION AND TREATMENT The elephant was approached and darted from the air with the SWT chopper. The dart discharged into the ramp and she went down after 6 minutes. The snare was diagonally circumventing her head, face and neck. Once the snare was cut and removed, the wound was thoroughly washed with water to assess the wound severity. The wound was mostly involving subcutaneous tissue with some muscle involvement around the lateral neck and the back of the ear. The wound was treated with dilute Hydrogen peroxide, Iodine, Oxytetracycline and green clay. The elephant also received supportive doses of long-acting antibiotic and Dexamethasone HCl.
PROGNOSIS She rose in under 2 minutes after anaesthetic reversal and walked away slowly. A good prognosis was given
THE SHELDRICK WILDLIFE TRUST
www.sheldrickwildlifetrust.org
CASE 13: 20th August 2019
ITHUMBA, TSAVO EAST
INJURED ELEPHANT
INTRODUCTION A report was made that the elephant bull was observed rubbing his left forelimb against rocks, with pus and blood seen on the rocks afterward. He also had a swelling on his left hindlimb. The vet was airlifted to the area by SWT aircraft to prevent the risk that visuals on the elephant would be lost.
INTERVENTION AND TREATMENT After redirecting the elephant by chopper to an area that was easily accessible by a ground team, the elephant was darted from the air and he went down after 5 minutes. The elephant went down into right lateral recumbency which allowed for full access to his left side and the two wounds. The elephant had two wounds; one on the left tricep and the second on the left upper hind limb above the level of the knee joint. The team investigated the wounds to assess their nature and depth. A search for arrow tips was unsuccessful which suggest they came out. With no foreign bodies discovered, the wounds were cleaned with diluted Hydrogen peroxide followed by disinfection with tincture of Iodine. The wounds were then sprayed with Oxytetracycline, then the wound packed with abundant amount of green clay. The elephant also received supportive doses of long-acting Antibiotic and Dexamethasone.
PROGNOSIS The prognosis was good.
THE SHELDRICK WILDLIFE TRUST
www.sheldrickwildlifetrust.org
CASE 14: 11th September 2019
RUKINGA RANCH, TSAVO
SNARED ELEPHANT
INTRODUCTION The Elephant cow was observed with a snare around her head and tusks days before intervention. Once located, the vet team was immediately alerted and rushed to the area by road. Darting equipment was prepared with 15mg of Etorphine HCl (M99) in a 3-cc Dan-Inject barrel. The elephant was approached from the air using DSWT chopper. The dart discharged into the ramp and she went down after 4 minutes. The trunk was positioned correctly to aid in breathing and lots of water used to cool her down from the hot prevailing weather.
INTERVENTION AND TREATMENT The snare was digging in around her right ear and both tusks. Once removed, liberal amounts of water were poured onto the ear to remove mud and dirt. The damage to the right ear involved muscle severed as well as necrosis of the tip of the ear. The wound was cleaned with hydrogen peroxide, and the dead parts of the tip of the ear were resected. Following this, the ear was cleaned with tincture of iodine and sprayed with oxytetracycline and finally wetted green clay was applied to the wound. The elephant also received supportive doses of long-acting antibiotic and dexamethasone HCl. Respiration and body temperature were continuously monitored during the treatment process. The anaesthesia was reversed through the use of 24mgs Diprenorphine HCl and Naltrexone. She rose in two minutes and slowly walked away. Even though the ear will have limited mobility, a good prognosis is given.
PROGNOSIS The prognosis was good.
THE SHELDRICK WILDLIFE TRUST
www.sheldrickwildlifetrust.org
CASE 15: 12th September 2019
ITHUMBA, TSAVO EAST
INJURED ELEPHANT
INTRODUCTION The bull was observed on the morning of 12th September with a wound on his right hindlimb as well as a large swelling of the same area. The vet was airlifted to the area by DSWT aircraft to prevent the risk that visuals on the elephant would be lost.
INTERVENTION AND TREATMENT Darting equipment was prepared with 18mg of Etorphine HCl (M99) in a 3-cc Dan-Inject barrel. The Elephant was approached from the air by DSWT chopper. The dart discharged into the ramp and the chopper redirected him to ensure he would not retreat to an area that would be inaccessible to vehicles. He went down after 4 minutes. The Elephant had two wounds; one on the right thigh and the second on the right rump. The team investigated the wounds to assess their nature and depth. The wound on the right thigh was cut open to remove the abundant pus accumulation. Diluted hydrogen peroxide was used to help remove all the pus material. Following this, a large amount of dead tissue was removed, and the arrow tip located within a section of resected dead tissue. Once only healthy tissue remained, the wound was cleaned with tincture of iodine. Following this, an oxytetracycline spray was used, then green clay applied on the outside as well as the inside of the wound as it was pretty extensive. The second arrow wound on the rump was not as extensive and did not have a lodged arrow tip. It was cleaned with tincture of iodine, sprayed with oxytetracycline and green clay applied. The bull received a large dose of supportive antibiotics and Dexamethasone HCl.
PROGNOSIS A good prognosis is given.
THE SHELDRICK WILDLIFE TRUST
www.sheldrickwildlifetrust.org
CASE 16: 20th September 2019
KAJIADO
WHITE RHINO CALF
INTRODUCTION This big bull was seen with an injury on his right thigh and front left leg by KWS Rangers based in Mosiro. They called the mobile veterinary unit for help. This elephant was found with an equally big male bull a few meters from a bigger herd. Because of terrain challenges assessment was done from a helicopter. He had an old abscess on his right hind leg at the thigh area and an injury to his right shoulder.
IMMOBILISATION, EXAMINATION AND TREATMENT The elephant was immobilised from the helicopter with 17mgs Etorphine. The drugs took full effect after ten minutes and was pushed to lie on his left side as he became fully anesthetised. Examination revealed an old spear wound to his right thigh which had accumulated pus and a swelling with a small opening on his right shoulder. The pus was drained from the thigh abscess and necrotic tissue removed with Hydrogen Peroxide then rinsed with clean water and disinfected with iodine. Green clay was then packed into the wound to prevent further sepsis. Probing of the shoulder wound yielded an arrowhead which appeared to have been there for about two weeks. The barbed arrowhead was retrieved, and the wound managed like the previous one. The elephant was also given Amoxicillin antibiotics and Flunixin meglumine anti-inflammatories.
PROGNOSIS The anesethetic was reversed and got up within three minutes and moved off in the direction the other big bull had gone. Prognosis is good.