Case 9 – 20th October 2022

Lion Natural Causes

Masai Mara National Reserve

The lion was spotted by Maasai Mara County personnel in Maasai Mara ecosystem with lameness and scratches on the body. A large wound was also visible in the inguinal region.

Immobilization, examination and treatment

The lion was immobilized with 4mg Medetomidine and 300mg Ketamine. The lion was fully anaesthetized after 9 minutes and went on lateral recumbency.The lion had a large wound due to a territorial fight. The attacking lions had bitten off large chunks of muscle and skin in the inguinal region causing a serious injury and other minor injuries to the flank. Suturing was not possible because infection had set in. The minor wounds were cleaned with water, cauterized with Hydrogen peroxide and lavaged with Iodine. The wound to the inguinal region was sceptic and had necrotic tissue. The necrotic tissue was debrided and the wound thoroughly cleaned with water and Hydrogen Peroxide, then lavaged with Iodine. Topical antibiotic cream and green clay were also applied into all the wounds to facilitate healing and avoid infection. The lion was then injected with 100ml Betamox, 50ml Phenylbutazone, 10ml Ivermectin and 100ml Flunixine.

Prognosis

The prognosis is guarded.

Rhino Natural Causes Lake Nakuru National Park

On 21.10.2022 and 22.10.2022, the Rift Valley Mobile Veterinary Unit searched for the injured male white rhino bull (50W89) with the aid of a helicopter.

Examination

The rhino was found on 22.10.2022 and according to the Veterinarian’s assessment, the rhino had only suffered minor lacerations and bruises.

Prognosis

The rhino security team was advised to continued monitoring both males (50W73 & 50W89). The rhino has a good prognosis since it was in good health.

Roan Antelope Natural Causes Ruma National Park

The antelope was observed injured about 8 days prior to this intervention. The cause of injury was unknown but suspected to have been inflicted by another antelope.

Immobilisation, examination and treatment

The antelope was approached on foot for examination and was seen to have an injury close to the tail. The wound had formed granulation tissue hence a good sign of healing. She was observed to have a good body score, feeding well, in good health and with a normal walking gait.

Prognosis

Clinical intervention was not necessary as the wound is almost completely healed. Monitoring of the roan antelope has been advised.

A male adult Rothschild giraffe carcass was spotted at Ruma Nat. Park and panic arose in suspicion of anthrax. The vet attended to investigate the cause of death.

Findings

Decomposition had set in with maggots in various body parts so a viable post-mortem could not be carried out on the carcass. However, the following was noted:

• The giraffe was in fair body condition

• Observed to have been in an advanced age

• No hemorrhage in any of the natural openings

• Scavengers had mauled various body organs

Cause of Death

Anthrax was ruled out and blood smears from the extremities were collected to assist in tentative diagnosis. The giraffe was suspected to have succumbed to a condition complicated by old age. The carcass was then disposed of accordingly

Unfortunately there are no pictures available for this case

Elephant Human-Wildlife Conflict Mara North Conservancy

The elephant was spotted with 2 arrow heads and a spear wound to the right flank The elephant had been treated within the same week after the herd had strayed into the community area and was attacked.

Immobilisation, examination and treatment

The elephant was darted with 15mgs Etorphine from a helicopter provided by the Mara Elephant Project. The elephant went down in a sitting position then was manually pushed to a lateral position. The arrowheads, which had penetrated about 10cm, were removed and bleeding controlled by compression using gauze swabs. The wounds had turned septic. The necrotic tissue in the infected wounds was debrided and the pus was drained. The wounds were thoroughly cleaned using water and Hydrogen Peroxide then lavaged using tincture of Iodine. Topical antibiotic cream, antibiotic pessaries and green clay were then applied into the wounds to facilitate healing and prevent further infection. The elephant was then injected with 100ml Biocillin and 100ml Dexamethasone HCL at different sites intramuscularly.

Prognosis

The elephant could not get up after treatment and developed respiration complications. Efforts were made to resuscitate the elephant but sadly after about 4 minutes the elephant was confirmed dead.

Elephant Snared Lali Hills – Galana Conservancy

While on routine daily patrol, the SWT aerial patrol team saw this young bull with a snare around the neck. in the evening hours of the day preceding intervention. It was too late to attend to the elephant that day therefore a team was tasked with closely monitoring it so it could be located the following day

Immobilisation, examination and treatment

The snared elephant was found the following morning with a small family a short distance away from where it was originally seen. The young bull had a loose wire snare around the neck, otherwise the elephant was in good body condition.

The elephant was darted from a helicopter with 12 mgs Etorphine hydrochloride delivered with a 3 ml Daninject dart. The drugs took full effect with the elephant assuming right lateral recumbency.

The snare was removed, and thankfully no injuries were observed to the surrounding tissue; no further treatment was required. Anaesthesia was thereafter reversed with 36 mgs Diprenorphine hydrochloride delivered through a prominent ear vein. The elephant woke up 2 minutes post-reversal and moved towards the elephant family.

Prognosis

The young bull has a good prognosis.

Elephant Rescue Giriama Dam – Kulalu Ranch

KWS officers and members of the community alerted the mobile veterinary unit about this adult female elephant that was found trapped in a drying water dam just outside Kulalu ranch.

Rescue

The adult elephant cow was found exhausted and helplessly stuck in the mud after having struggled to free itself for a while. The teams used long ropes and two vehicles to pull the elephant out of the mud.

This herculean task took a while and after the elephant was freed, it was given some time to rest and regain enough strength to stand. The elephant was then assisted to to its feet with straps and once it was on all fours, it took off to a nearby thicket.

Prognosis

The elephant has a good prognosis

Zebra Poaching Naivasha Sanctuary

The zebra was suffering from a deep clean-cut wound on the right hind limb at the hock joint level. This is likely to have been as a human inflicted injury owing to poachers. The wound had been longstanding hence had developed scepsis and therefore life threatening.

Immobilisation, examination and treatment

Etorphine 5mg and Azerperone 60mg were prepared in a Dan - inject dart then darting was carried out from a vehicle using a Dan inject dart rifle and the zebra was immobilized after 5 minutes.

The zebra was promptly examined. The wound was observed to be deep and had pus due to the time since the injury occurred. The right hind limb was heavily wounded and swollen. The wound was cleaned with copious amounts of water to remove mud, dirt and pus, cauterized with dilute Hydrogen peroxide, then lavaged with tincture of Iodine. Topical Oxytetracycline spray and cream were also applied. The zebra was then injected with 50ml Biocillin and 30ml Dexamethasone

Prognosis

Recovery from anaesthesia was smooth and he ambulated well after recovery. Prognosis is good.

The giraffe was suffering from a heavily swollen left hind limb and a wound in the thoracic region. He was also lame owing to the injury that had caused the swelling.

Immobilisation, examination and treatment

The giraffe was darted from foot with 14mg Etorphine and 30mg Azaperone 30mg. As the area was close to Lake Naivasha and other structures, the team had to guide the giraffe using ropes to prevent him from dashing into the lake which could result in drowning or other injuries to the animal whilst the drugs took effect

The giraffe was quickly examined for the causes of the injuries. No foreign objects were observed in the swollen limb but there was a massive wound to the thoracic region. The wound was cleaned with copious amounts of water to remove mud, dirt and pus then the dead tissue was debrided. Maggots were also present which is an indication that the wound was longstanding. The wound was cauterized with dilute Hydrogen peroxide and lavaged with tincture of Iodine. The giraffe was also given 70ml Biocillin, 50ml Dexamethasone and 30ml Ivermectin.

Reversal and prognosis

The antidote was administered immediately the animal was roped down. Good positioning of the giraffe was also done to ensure a clear air way and the animal was kept cool during treatment. The vital parameters were well monitored. The giraffe ambulated well after recovery and the prognosis is good.

Elephant Snared Eselenkei

BLF rangers reported a snared elephant they had seen during patrol.

Immobilisation, examination and treatment

The Amboseli Mobile Veterinary Unit found the snared elephant with assistance from the SWT helicopter. The elephant was darted from a helicopter with 20mg Etorphine. It had a wire snare on the right forelimb.

The snare was cut off then the wound it had caused was cleaned with water, debrided with Hydrogen peroxide and disinfected with Iodine. Antibiotics and anti-inflammatories were administered to assist in the healing process then anaesthesia was reversed. The elephant re-joined its family after revival.

Prognosis

The elephant has a good prognosis.

Giraffe Snared Sirocco, Naivasha

This report describes a clinical case intervention of a young 2- to 2.5-year-old female giraffe at Sirocco Conservancy. The giraffe was suffering from a long wire snare with a snooze on the neck.

Immobilisation, examination and treatment

The giraffe was immobilised within 6 minutes after it was darted from a vehicle with 7mg Etorphine Hcl and 20mg Azaperone. The team guided the giraffe away from Lake Naivasha to prevent him from dashing into the water

The giraffe was promptly desnared using wire cutters and no phyical injury was visible. However, the giraffe was administered with 20ml Biocillin and 20ml Dexamethasone against infection or inflammation that may occur.

Reversal and Prognosis

The antidote was immediately administered after the giraffe went down and vital parameters monitored. Recovery from anaesthesia was smooth and she ambulated well after treatment Prognosis is good.