SKY VET QUARTERLY OVERVIEW

46 Cases 25 Poaching Cases 20 Elephant Cases

During October 2022 to January 2023 the SWT/KWS Sky Vet program was called to handle 46 wildlife cases involving 20 elephants, 1 cheetah, 3 lion, 4 rhinos, 4 zebra, 1 waterbuck, 1 Roan antelope and 12 giraffes The increase in poaching and natural cases can largely be attributed to the ongoing drought. There was also 8 human – wildlife conflict cases attended to involving 5 elephants, 2 lions and 1 zebra. All 5 elephants and both lions were speared/arrowed due to conflict over resources in the Masai Mara region.

Of the 25 poaching cases, 4 elephants were snared, 4 arrowed and 4 speared. 1 waterbuck, 3 zebra and 7 giraffe were also treated for snare wounds as well as 2 giraffes treated for a spear and arrow wound. Only one elephant with a severe spear wound was euthanised due to the extent of the injury. The rest were given a good prognosis.

The Unit also attended to 9 natural cases, 2 post-mortems and rescued 1 adult elephant after it became stuck in a muddy dam and a rhino calf from Solio Ranch was taken to the orphanage after it was abandoned by its mother.

Out of the cases treated there was an 83% success rate and only 4% death due to poaching though 9% died due to natural causes.

The Sky Vet program has deployed KWS vets to the following locations during this reporting period

46 Cases Attended to by the SWT/KWS Sky Vet Unit

October 2022 - January 2023

Outcomes of Cases Attended to by the SWT/KWS Sky Vet Unit

October 2022 - January 2023

Elephant Human-Wildlife Conflict: Spear Olarro Conservancy

The elephant was spotted by Elephant Aware rangers at Olarro South conservancy with an injury and pus oozing from the left flank. The vet was airlifted from KWS veterinary headquarters by the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust.

Immobilization, examination and treatment

The elephant was immobilized from a vehicle using 18mgs Etorphine. The elephant went down on its side after 8 minutes then it was flipped over by a vehicle and straps to access the wound.

On examination the elephant had a spear wound on the left flank with a lot of pus. The spear had fallen off but had left a huge open wound which was about 10 cm deep. A healing wound adjacent to the septic one was also visible. The injury was as a result of a spear most likely due to human wildlife conflict at the watering points. The necrotic tissue in the infected wound was debrided and the pus drained. The wound was thoroughly cleaned using water and Hydrogen Peroxide. It was then lavaged using tincture of Iodine. Topical antibiotic cream, antibiotic pessaries and green clay was then applied into the wound to facilitate healing and prevent further infection. The elephant was then injected with 100 ml Betamox L.A and 100 ml Dexamethasone HCL at different sites intramuscularly.

Prognosis

It took about 5 minutes to fully recover from anaesthesia. Prognosis is favourable.

Giraffe Snared Mara Triangle

This report describes a clinical case intervention of a male giraffe in Mara triangle. The giraffe was suffering from a wire snare which had also affected the soft tissues.

Immobilisation, examination and treatment

Etorphine Hcl 15mg and Azaperone 40mg, in a 3 ml Dan - inject dart was prepared. Darting was carried out from a vehicle using a Dan inject dart rifle. The giraffe was darted and immobilized after 12 minutes. The team roped down the giraffe and she went down on lateral recumbency.

The giraffe was promptly de-snared and the wound cleaned with Hydrogen peroxide, lavaged with tincture of Iodine then topical antibiotic spray was applied. Oxytetracycline 50ml and Dexamethasone 40ml were also administered.

Prognosis

The anaesthetic was reversed using 60mg Diprenorphine Hcl administered IV via the jugular vein. Recovery from anaesthesia was smooth and she ambulated well after recovery from anaesthesia. Prognosis is good.

Elephant Spear Mara Triangle

The elephant was spotted by the Mara Triangle Rangers while on routine patrol. The veterinary team attended to the case for assessment and treatment. The elephant was darted a motor vehicle.

Immobilisation, examination and treatment

The elephant was immobilized using 17mgs Etorphine using the Dan Inject system from a vehicle. The elephant went down in a dog sitting position after 7 minutes and had to be flipped to access the wound.

The elephant had a spear wound on the right hind limb. The wound had penetrated all the way to the right forelimb. The elephant had been treated earlier for the wound but required repeat treatment. The wounds had a lot of necrotic tissue and maggots. The wounds were thoroughly cleaned using water and Hydrogen Peroxide. The necrotic tissue was debrided to hasten healing. The wound was then lavaged using tincture of Iodine. Topical antibiotic cream and green clay was then applied into the wound to facilitate healing and avoid infection. The elephant was then injected with 200ml Betamox and 100ml Dexamethasone.

Prognosis

It took about 5 minutes to be fully awake from anaesthesia. Prognosis is favourable.

Elephant Human-Wildlife Conflict Olkinyei Conservancy

The elephant was spotted by Conservancy Rangers with multiple injuries and pus oozing from the left flank.

Immobilization and examination

The elephant was darted from a vehicle with 18mgs Etorphine Hydrochloride The elephant went down on lateral position after 8 minutes. The wounds were clearly visible and accessible for treatment. Flipping of the elephant was done to access the other injured side of the elephant.

Examination revealed it had a septic spear wound about 10cm deep, 5 arrow wounds and another wound to the hind quarters inflicted by another elephant. The spear and arrow injuries were likely inflicted during conflict in community areas. The necrotic tissue in the infected wounds was debrided and the pus drained. The wounds were cleaned with water and Hydrogen Peroxide then lavaged with Iodine. Topical antibiotic cream, antibiotic pessaries and green clay was then applied into the wound to facilitate healing and prevent further infection. The elephant was then injected with 100ml Betamox and 100ml Dexamethasone.

Prognosis and management

It took about 4 minutes to fully recover from anaesthesia. Prognosis is good.

Giraffe Natural Causes Nashulai (Siana Conservancy)

This report describes a case intervention of a male giraffe in Nashulai Conservancy. The giraffe had suffered from a fall on a rocky river bed. He was observed to be immobile, down and moribund.

Immobilization, examination and treatment

The giraffe was down and moribund hence no need to immobilize

The giraffe had an open compound fracture on the right hind limb.

Prognosis

The prognosis was poor hence a decision was made to euthanize the giraffe to alleviate pain and suffering.

The carcass was appropriately disposed of after carrying out a post-mortem to confirm the injuries on the giraffe.

Elephant Human-Wildlife Conflict Lukumek (Lemek Conservancy)

The elephant was spotted by Rangers in Lukumek village, out of the Conservancy in the community area, with fresh arrow injuries on the left flank and 2 spear wounds.

Immobilization and examination

The elephant was immobilized using 16mgs Etorphine in a 3ml dart from a helicopter provided by the Mara Elephant Project. The elephant went down on lateral position after 7 minutes. The wounds were clearly visible and accessible for treatment.

The elephant had a wound on the left flank and an arrow head embedded into the tissues. A second arrow head was also embedded into the ear flap. The arrows were removed and bleeding controlled by compression. The injury to the spinal region was as a result of a spear that had fallen off leaving large open wounds. These injuries were as a result conflict in the community where farming is also practiced. The wounds were cleaned with normal saline then lavaged with Iodine. Topical antibiotic cream, antibiotic pessaries and green clay were applied into the wound to facilitate healing and prevent further infection. The elephant was then injected with 100ml Betamox and 100ml Dexamethasone.

Post-mortem examination

It took about 5 minutes to fully recover from anaesthesia. Prognosis is good.

Elephant Human-Wildlife Conflict Lukumek (Lemek Conservancy)

This was the second injured elephant that was spotted by Rangers in Lukumek community area where a family of elephants had strayed into the community area.

Immobilization, examination and treatment

The elephant was darted from a helicopter with 17mgs Etorphine Hydrochloride. The elephant went down in a lateral position after 6 minutes. The elephant had a wound on the left flank with an embedded arrowhead and another spear wound as a result of human wildlife conflict.

The wounds were thoroughly cleaned using water and Hydrogen Peroxide and lavaged with tincture of Iodine. Topical antibiotic cream, antibiotic pessaries and green clay were then applied into the wound to facilitate healing and prevent further infection. The elephant was also administered with 100ml Betamox and 100ml Phenylbutazone at different sites intramuscularly. The entire operation lasted about 20 minutes

Prognosis

It took about 7 minutes to fully recover from anaesthesia. Prognosis for recovery is good.