Case 8 – 19th October 2022

Elephant Human-Wildlife Conflict Olkinyei Conservancy

The elephant was spotted with pus oozing from the trunk and injuries on the right and left flank.

Immobilization, examination and treatment

The elephant was immobilized with 18mgs Etorphine and darted from a helicopter provided by the Mara Elephant Project. The elephant went down on lateral position after 5 minutes. Once the wounds on the exposed side were treated the elephant was flipped to access the other injured side of the elephant.

On examination the elephant had an arrow wound to the trunk and spear wounds to both flanks. The injuries were most likely due to human wildlife conflict. The necrotic tissue in the infected wounds was debrided and the pus drained. 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 then injected with 100ml Betamox and 50ml Dexamethasone at different sites intramuscularly.

Prognosis

The elephant has a good prognosis.