SWT/KWS AMBOSELI
VETERINARY UNIT
MOBILE
AUGUST 2022
Introduction
9 Cases in August 1 Poaching Case 3 Elephant Cases
August 2022 Report by Dr. Kariuki Edward
The Amboseli Ecosystem continues to suffer through the drought, with vegetation drying off and depleted grasses, marked by bare ground, dominating most areas. Weak, very old and young animals have died from thirst and starvation or succumbed to diseases due to weakened immunity. SCA Amboseli Mobile Veterinary Unit attended nine cases, including 3 elephants, 3 buffalo, a lion, vulture, ostrich and giraffe. Three of these cases were post mortems which were most likely natural in nature, one snare was removed from a giraffe and Anthrax, consequent to the drought, killed two buffaloes and a wildebeest. Many other animals that died and not tested are likely to have been associated with the disease.
Acknowledgement
We thank Sheldrick Wildlife Trust (SWT) for material support and Mobile Unit funding. Staff and rangers at BLF, Kuku Group Ranch and Amboseli Elephant Research are acknowledged for their support and company during the veterinary interventions. Anyone that may have not been mentioned but supported the monitoring of distressed wildlife in areas of interest is highly acknowledged and appreciated.
Case Details
Date Species Area Found
Reason for Intervention Outcome 14 Aug 22 Elephant Amboseli NP Post mortem Drought related complications leading to death Died 14 Aug 22 Buffalo Amboseli Environs Post mortem Bloated carcass with bloody discharge from the mouth and nostrils Died 16 Aug 22 Giraffe Kimana Sanctuary Snared
The giraffe had a snare wire on left hind limb slightly above the fetlock joint Successfully Treated 16 Aug 22 Elephant Amboseli NP Post mortem Carcass had bloody fluids oozing from the anal orifice, trunk and the mouth Died 17 Aug 22 Elephant Amboseli Environs Post mortem The elephant presented with severe oedema Died 17 Aug 22 Other Amboseli NP Research/ Survey AMVU received report of dead animals at Amboseli National Park Task Successful 19 Aug 22 Ostrich Metto Conservancy HWC
The ostrich had a history of attacking humans and was hit back with a blunt object Prognosis Poor 24 Aug 22 Lion Chyulu Hills Post mortem The lion WAS suspected to have died from a territorial fight Died 25 Aug 22 Other Amboseli NP Natural Causes
The vulture had a broken humerus bone, dropped wing and could not fly Taken to Orphanage
SWT/KWS Amboseli Mobile Vet Unit Treatment Locations
August 2022
Elephant Post mortem Amboseli National Park
The Park patrol team at Amboseli reported an elephant calf found dead in the Park. The same team led the vet team to site and helped during the examination.
Post mortem Findings
• The carcass was found partly scavenged, severely emaciated with significant pale mucous membranes
• The rectum and posterior part of the colon were exteriorized and scavenged
• The spleen was pale and grey.
• Liver enlarged with prominent rounded ends. Stomach and duodenum full of maggots.
• Small intestines membranes ballooned and full of fluke like worms, approximately 100 worms for every 100ml of intestinal fluid. First part of the colon full of white and red worms in the preformed fecal boluses. Last part of the colon and appendix had no worms at all.
• Clean trachea and bright colored lung apex.
Cause of Death
Drought related complications
Case 1 14th August 2022
Buffalo Post mortem Amboseli Environs
A dead buffalo found dead in the park next to Amboseli lodge. Carcass about 4 days old and decomposed. Carcass examined but not opened.
Post mortem Findings
Bloated carcass with bloody discharge from the mouth and nostrils. Carcass heavily invaded by maggots and fluids produced. Carcass advanced in decomposition.
Cause of Death
Suspected Anthrax
Case 2 14th August 2022
Giraffe Snared Kimana Sanctuary
Immobilisation, examination and treatment
The giraffe was darted from a vehicle using a cocktail of 13mg Etorphine and 50mg Azaperone.
The giraffe had a snare wire on the left hind limb slightly above the fetlock joint. The giraffe presented with signs of pain but had good body condition.
The wire was cut loose and pulled free. Antibiotics were then administered to cover for secondary bacterial irrigation.
Prognosis
The giraffe should make a full recovery.
Case 3 16th August 2022
Mr. Eric Ole Karama reported a giraffe that had a snare. AMVU located the giraffe for examination and treatment.
Elephant Post mortem Amboseli National Park
AMVU received report of a dead elephant at the Amboseli National Park from the Amboseli Patrol team. The female identified as the 53 yrs. old Bente, lived, and moved to the Eselenkei area.
Post mortem Findings
The carcass was on lateral recumbency and had bloody fluids oozing from the anal orifice, trunk and the mouth. It was bloated and had pale mucous membranes. Oedema was significant and bloody discharge flowed from the mouth and the trunk. Carcass not opened on precautionary principle. Smears taken and stained for presence of a Bacilli Anthracibut but the results were negative.
Volatile molecules that attract flies were actively produced. Open wounds on the ventral part of the carcass oozed blood. The carcass was oedematous.
Cause of Death
Drought related complications and suspected anthrax
Case 4 16th August 2022
Elephant Post mortem Kurere, Amboseli
AMVU received report of a dead elephant from Amboseli Elephant Research. Previously (a day before) found with significant oedema.
Post mortem Findings
The Elephant presented with severe edema. Limbs fully extended and had no folds. The elephant presented with advanced decomposition and partly scavenged carcass. All signs consistent with organ (kidney and liver) failure.
Cause of Death Natural
No pictures available for this case
Case 5 17th August 2022
Various Species Research/Survey
Amboseli National Park
AMVU received report of dead animals at Amboseli National Park. On investigation, a dead buffalo was found and since Anthrax was suspected, active disease surveillance was carried out. Anthrax is a zoonotic disease caused by a spore forming bacteria known as Bacillus anthracis. It is common in herbivores but can affect persons exposed to tissue and infected animal carcasses. Its highly fatal and therefore a notifiable disease. Samples collected from suspect carcasses inside the park were processed and examined for Anthrax by smear staining and microscopy.
Survey
Most animals presented with severe emaciation, pale, and dried mucous membranes. Aged and very young animals seemed susceptible and suffered the most. Zebras produced loose fecal material that had high numbers of red worms. Buffaloes, hippos and wildebeest seemed to suffer the most. Wildebeest had signs of diarrhoea and had matting of hair around the anal opening. Below are some of the affected animals
Cause of Death
Varied between the various animals found in the park. Buffaloes and one wildebeest tested positive to Anthrax, but all others, including ones positive, died of drought related complications
Case 6 17th August 2022
Ostrich
Human Wildlife Conflict Metto Conservancy
AMVU received report of an Injured ostrich from SORALO. The ostrich had a history of attacking human and had possibly been hit back with a blunt object.
Immobilisation, examination and treatment
The ostrich presented with a damaged frontal bone of the skull. The ostrich lay down in a riverbed and was barely feeding. The bird had a high risk of clots in the brain due to the skull damage.
The ostrich was treated with an Oxytet injection.
Prognosis
Poor due to the skull damage.
Case 7 19th August 2022
Lion Post mortem Chyulu Hills
Post mortem Findings
The lion was suspected to have died from a territorial fight by an adult lion.
The fight may have started over an eland killed by the sub adult male but left behind.
The other suspected cause of death was poisoning but ruled out on basis of different diptera flies presence. Additionally, no cases reported of other dead animals or vultures.
Cause of Death
Natural
No pictures available for this case
Case 8 24th August 2022
Jeremiah (a Lion guardian) brought a dead sub adult lion into the park for an autopsy
Vulture Natural Causes Amboseli National Park
Immobilisation and examination
The bird was captured manually by hand
The vulture presented with a broken humerus bone, dropped wing and could not fly.
It was flown to Nairobi for treatment and rehabilitation
Case 9 25th August 2022
AMVU team sighted an injured vulture in the park near Oldare swamp.