SWT/KWS AMBOSELI MOBILE VETERINARY UNIT FEBRUARY 2022
Introduction
6 Cases in February
2 Poaching Cases
3 Elephant Cases
February Report by Dr. Kariuki Edward The Amboseli Mobile Veterinary Unit attended six veterinary cases during February 2021. The Amboseli and Chyulu ecosystem experienced a warm spell but marked with sporadic heavy downpours towards the last week of the month. During February, there were also a high number of wildebeest and zebra births. Human-Wildlife Conflicts due to elephants were minimal and manageable. Monitoring of a sick elephant in Chyulu Hills and prescribed further monitoring continued the January observations. A lion cub examined for a skin condition in Amboseli Park had swellings on the skin due to fly maggots but the wound was insignificant to warrant any treatment. An elephant wounded on the front right limb was treated at Ithumba. A giraffe suspected to have suffered a hit and run car accident suffered a broken right fore limb was euthanized on welfare reasons. A post-mortem was conducted on an elephant in Amboseli Park and peritonitis was concluded as the cause of death. A post-mortem examination on a dead hyena found in the Kimana sanctuary revealed traumatic injuries that lead to her death. Acknowledgement We thank Sheldrick Wildlife Trust (SWT) for material support and Mobile Unit funding. Staff and Rangers at BLF are acknowledged for their support and company during the veterinary interventions. Anyone we may have not mentioned but supported the monitoring of wildlife in areas of interest is highly acknowledged and appreciated.
Case Details Date
Species
Area Found
8-Feb-22
Elephant
Chyulu Hills
Natural Causes
The elephant had poor body condition as characterized by muscle wasting and depressions around eye sockets
Prognosis Poor
14-Feb-22
Lion
Amboseli NP
Natural Causes
Rangers at Amboseli Park reported a lion with multiple swellings on the skin
Task Successful
15-Feb-22
Elephant
Tsavo East National Park
Spear
AMVU was notified of an elephant suffering from a wound on the right forelimb
Successfully Treated
22-Feb-22
Giraffe
Mbirikani Group Ranch
HWC
The giraffe had a broken metacarpal bone of the right forelimb. The joint was completely detached from the limb
Died
23-Feb-22
Elephant
Amboseli NP
Spear
The body condition of the carcass looked compromised and wasted
Poaching Death
Hyena
Kimana Sanctuary
Human Wildlife Conflict
A hyena attacked a child passed by herding cattle. A moran came to the rescue and injured the hyena
HWC Death
23-Feb-22
Reason for Intervention
Outcome
SWT/KWS Amboseli Mobile Vet Unit Treatment Locations February 2021
Case 1 – 8th February 2022 Elephant
Natural Causes
Chyulu Hills
A sick elephant, reported by BLF rangers at Chyulu hills, presented with dullness, inactivity and minimal movement compared to other elephants in the area. The elephant has been observed and monitored for the past three weeks and shown little improvement. AMVU Team located and examined the elephant.
Examination The elephant had poor body condition as characterized by muscle wasting depressions around the eye sockets. However, the bull was alert to external stimuli and moved away when approached by a vehicle The bull was at risk of non-recovering recumbency after chemical immobilization and hence no treatment was carried out during the visit. Prognosis Prognosis is guarded; the bull presented with a standing gastric complication that most likely will not resolve without surgery. However, the weak and old bull could not endure such an intervention. Rangers were advised to continue monitoring.
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Case 2 – 14th February 2022 Lion
Natural Causes
Amboseli National Park
Rangers at Amboseli Park reported a lion with multiple swellings on the skin. AMVU team located the lion and for examination and treatment.
Examination The lion cubs were visited while resting in a thicket inside the park. Seven cubs, two adult females and one male were spotted during the visit. Only one cub had swellings on the skin, while some of them had burst leaving behind small wounds. The lion cub presented with a good body condition. The dermal swellings were due to fly maggot infestations. Such incidences are normal in cats and are influenced by fly activity and at times low immunity. No treatment was done but monitoring of the cubs will continue during the month. Prognosis Prognosis is good. The cub is in good condition and the wounds will resolve on their own after the maggots drop to pupate. .
Case 3 – 15th February 2022 Elephant
Spear
Ithumba, Tsavo East National Park
AMVU was notified of an elephant suffering a wound on the right forelimb. The elephant was lame and rubbed the wound constantly. AMVU team with the help of the SWT caravan and helicopter located the elephant for examination and treatment. Immobilisation, examination and treatment The elephant presented with lameness but had good body condition. He was active and ran away when approached with a helicopter. The elephant was darted from the helicopter using a projectile dart containing 20mg Etorphine placed intramuscularly in the rump. The bull fell on sternal recumbency and a tractor put him on the preferred lateral recumbency. The wound, which was most likely caused by a spear, was open and infected. The wound was rinsed thoroughly with clean water then injectable Amoxicillin was irrigated into the wound. Additionally, intramuscular injections with Amoxicillin helped to cover for any opportunistic systemic infection. Prognosis Good. Wound management was successful, and the elephant recovered safely from chemical anaesthesia.
Case 4 – 22nd February 2022 Giraffe
Human-Wildlife Conflict
Mbirikani Group Ranch
Big life Rangers reported a lame giraffe. AMVU located the giraffe for examination and treatment. Immobilisation and examination The giraffe was darted on foot using a combination of 12mg Etorphine and 50mg Azaperone. The giraffe had a broken metacarpal bone of the right fore- limb. The joint was completely detached from the limb leaving a protruding ulna and radius. This was most likely caused by colliding with a vehicle. She stood on three limbs and spared her weight on the broken limb. She struggled to move and stand. The giraffe presented with clear signs of extreme pain. However, she was in good body condition. Prognosis She could not survive or be treated in the wild. The giraffe was euthanized with intravenous 30ml Pentobarbitone for welfare reasons.
Case 5 – 23rd February 2022 Elephant
Spear
Amboseli National Park
Amboseli Patrol Rangers notified AMVU of an elephant found dead inside the park. The elephant named Amit of the AA family had spent 3 days in the same locality before death. Immobilisation and examination The body condition of the carcass looked compromised and wasted. Signs of struggle before death were eminent. A few ticks were found on the skin and collected. The tusks were removed and under KWS custody. The carcass was opened by cutting laterally through the flank. On internal examination, a wound measuring about 2 inches in diameter penetrated the right side into the abdominal cavity. The wound had a greenish creamy discharge and penetrated the abdominal cavity. There was blackening around the abdominal cavity. Approximately 1 litre of purulent abdominal fluid oozed out of the abdomen. Deposits of a cheesy discharge material were found in the peritoneum. The stomach and intestines were reddened with haemorrhages. The liver, lungs, kidneys, and spleen were swollen and marked with rounded edges and yellow gritty deposits. Cause of Death Peritonitis resulting from a suspected spear injury.
Case 6 – 23rd February 2022 Hyena
Human-Wildlife Conflict
Kimana Sanctuary
Big Life Patrol Rangers notified AMVU of a hyena found dead in a village near Kimana Sanctuary. AMVU located the carcass to conduct post-mortem analysis. The Rangers reported that the hyena was resting at a nearby hill when a child passed by herding cattle. The hyena attacked the child, and a Moran came to the rescue and injured the hyena. The Moran hit the hyena with a blunt wood on the head leaving her half-dead. Rangers found the hyena at 9.00 am in distress struggling to breathe and bleeding profusely; that is when the villagers stoned her to death. Post-mortem examination The carcass presented with good body condition and had dry blood clots on the head region where the hyena was hit. The carcass was not opened since cause of dead was already determined.