SWT/KWS AMBOSELI MOBILE VETERINARY UNIT NOVEMBER 2021
Introduction
12 Cases in November
9 HWC Cases
3 Predators Cases
November Report by Dr. Kariuki Edward Amboseli Veterinary Unit attended 12 veterinary cases during November 2021. Amboseli and Chyulu Ecosystem continued experiencing a dry period and much of the vegetation was dry with most areas prone to sporadic bush fires. Most wild animals moved extensively in pursuit of food and water, consequently, some ending up into Human Wildlife Conflicts. About 26 vultures were sadly poisoned due to conflict. Conflicts were prominent in all cases attended, giraffe breaking fence and eventually traumatizing herself, snared zebra, a buffalo falling into a swimming pool after a water, an orphaned elephant calf, and a zebra that fell into a pit. Fortunately by close of the month, the rains started. Acknowledgement We thank Sheldrick Wildlife Trust (SWT) for material support and Mobile Unit funding. Staff and rangers at SORALO, Eselenkei, KWS-Nguruman station,Naisurua Conservancy, SWT de-snaring team and BLF are acknowledged for their support and company during the veterinary interventions. Anyone whom we may have not 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
10-Nov-21
Elephant
Amboseli NP
Rescue
Had good body condition despite a sagging abdomen (suspected helminthiasis)
Taken to Orphanage
11-Nov-21
Buffalo
Amboseli Environs
HWC
Fell into a swimming pool while trying to access drinking water
Task Successful
12-Nov-21
Predator
Olgulului, Amboseli
HWC
The jackals died after feeding on remains of sheep that died of wild carnivore predation
HWC Death
12-Nov-21
Other
Olgulului, Ambosel
HWC
Crop membranes looked congested and full of meat, most likely poisoned
HWC Death
12-Nov-21
Other
Olgulului, Ambosel
HWC
5 birds survived the poisoning and were taken to Naivasha for intensive care
Successfully Treated
13-Nov-21
Other
Mount Kenya NR
Research/ Survey
Surveillance after a proposal to reintroduce captive bongo into Mt Kenya forest
Task Successful
19-Nov-21
Giraffe
Amboseli Environs
HWC
Found lying down and unable to get up after breaking a fence to enter a private plot
HWC Death
22-Nov-21
Zebra
Amboseli Environs
Snared
Cable wire around the neck
Successfully Treated
26-Nov-21
Lion
Nguruman, Kajiado
HWC
Two lions died from poisoning while two were alive showing mild signs of poisoning
HWC Death
26-Nov-21
Lion
Nguruman, Kajiado
HWC
Two lions died from poisoning while two were alive showing mild signs of poisoning
Not Located
28-Nov-21
Zebra
Amboseli Environs
HWC
The female zebra had a broken spine and other injuries after a fall into a latrine pit
HWC Death
30-Nov-21
Zebra
Amboseli Environs
HWC
A zebra that was trapped in a fenced plot and could not move out
Task Successful
SWT/KWS Unit Amboseli Vet Unit Treatment Locations November 2021
Case 1 – 10th November 2021 Elephant
Rescue
Amboseli National Park
Amboseli Patrol Rangers notified AMVU of an elephant calf walking unaccompanied by the parent herd. The Vet team captured and transported the calf to Sheldrick’s Wildlife Trust-Nairobi for care and rehabilitation. Immobilisation, examination and treatment The elephant was followed with a vehicle and restrained physically. A blindfold was put on her face to reduce her threat awareness and her feet were tied. Ropes and straps helped put the elephant down safely. A 100mg Azaperone injected after physical restraint helped tranquilize the calf for safe transportation. Physical examination revealed the elephant calf was in a good body condition despite a sagging (potbelly) abdomen most likely due to helminthiasis. A stretcher helped load the calf into a vehicle that took the calf to the airstrip. A chattered caravan plane flew the elephant to Nairobi for further care. Prognosis Good.
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Case 2 – 11th November 2021 Buffalo
Human-wildlife conflict
Amboseli Environs
A female adult buffalo was found in a swimming pool at Kambi ya Kazi camp in the Chyulus adjacent to Kuku Group Ranch. The buffalo fell in while trying to access drinking water. Unfortunately, the buffalo could not get out of the pool after the incident. Immobilisation, examination and treatment The swimming pool was drained in preparation of the buffalo immobilization. The buffalo was chemically immobilized using 4mg Etorphine and 70mg Azaperone. Darting was from foot and attained successfully. Ropes and straps helped pull the buffalo from the swimming pool. The buffalo was in good body condition but had abrasion wounds from her struggling in the pool. Prognosis 36 mg Diprenophine IV helped in revival after sedation. Prognosis is good.
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Case 3 – 12th November 2021 Predator
Human-wildlife conflict
Olgulului Group Ranch
Six (6) jackals were reported dead at Olgulului Group Ranch on 12 November 2021. The jackals died after feeding on remains of a sheep that died of wild carnivore predation. Post-mortem examination External examination: the carcasses were decomposed and had little or no pathology noticeable. The carcasses perineum areas were matted and there was bloody discharge from the nostrils. Internal examination: a longitudinal cut of the ventral part of the abdomen helped exteriorize the internal organs for examination. One jackal suffered intussusception of the small intestines. All carcasses had enlarged livers but with no stomach contents. Small and large intestines were congested in all jackals. Cause of death Suspected poisoning. All carcasses were burnt after post-mortem examination to decontaminate the area. Liver and stomach contents were collected for full toxicological analysis. .
Case 4 & 5 – 12th November 2021 Vultures
Human-wildlife conflict
Olgulului Group Ranch
Twenty six (26) vultures and four eagles were found dead at Olgulului Group Ranch on 12 November 2021. The vultures died after feeding the remains of sheep that died of wild carnivore predation.
Post-mortem examination No other animals died or observed to have fed on the carcass by the time of the investigation. The birds were found scattered in different areas a few meters from the carcass. The carcasses were fresh and not decomposed but some were moderately decomposed. Crop membranes looked congested and were full of meat content. Some birds had meat pieces in their beaks when they died. Probably, they died feeding or tried to vomit before or during time of death. Black gritty substances filled the intestines. The crop and intestinal contents were sampled for toxicological analysis. Examination and treatment of survivors Two White backed vultures, a Ruppels griffon vulture, Lappet faced vulture and a Steppes eagle were found
alive and injected with Atropine. All 5 birds were taken to Naivasha for intensive care and rehabilitation. Cause of Death/Prognosis Suspected poisoning. All carcasses were burnt after post-mortem examination to decontaminate the area.
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Case 6 – 13th November 2021 Other
Research/Survey
Marania, Mount Kenya
This surveillance followed a proposal to reintroduce captive bongo into the Marania and Muchiene forest in Mt Kenya. The study will help explain the disease risks in the planned release sites.
Field Findings Fifty (50) sheep and five cows were examined for endo and ecto parasites. Ticks, blood and fecal samples collected for examination and analysis. Vegetation ticks were collected from approximately 10 different areas distributed in the proposed areas. Conclusion S All samples were submitted to the laboratory for examination. A technical report will be prepared to guide the reintroduction process.
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Case 7 – 19th November 2021 Giraffe
Human-wildlife conflict
Lenkism, Amboseli Environs
A giraffe was found lying down and unable to raise up at Lenkisim. The incidence followed an attempted fence break to enter a fenced private plot. Examination The giraffe was in good body condition but exhibited general weakness and inability to stand. Examination revealed it had suffered an incomplete fracture of the neck. It is suspected that she was injured while crossing a live fence. The giraffe fell on the neck after electrocution. Management The giraffe was euthanized on welfare grounds. 30mls Pentobarbitone administered intravenously helped euthanize the giraffe. .
Case 8 – 22nd November 2021 Zebra
Snared
Mashuru, Amboseli Environs
Patrol Rangers at Mashuru reported the zebra with a wire around its neck. The Vet Team responded the same day and traced the zebra for darting with assistance of the KWS community scouts.
Immobilisation, examination and treatment The zebra was darted from a vehicle with 5mg Etorphine and 70mg Azaperone. The dart landed well on the shoulder and fully immobilized the zebra in about 5 minutes. Physical examination revealed the zebra had a cable wire around the neck. The wire was likely a snare that had broken loose and left the zebra free. The wire could have been old but had not inflicted injuries. The wire was untied by hand and removed without a struggle. Prognosis The stallion revived well with Diprenophine. Good.
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Case 9 & 10– 26th November 2021 Lion
Human-wildlife conflict
Nguruman, Kajiado
The Vet Team visited the suspected poisoning site and examined the remains of the dead lions. The team and the SORALO Community Rangers tracked the two surviving lions and monitored their health. Patrol Rangers and Community Scouts were interviewed and a video was taken by the Rangers to get case history. Post-mortem Examination The lion pride had contact with the carcass. The 2 cubs are assumed to have eaten the poisoned part of the livestock carcass. Both cubs were affected and one cub died while the 2nd one was speared before it had deteriorated due to the poison. The lioness and the other cub seem not to have consumed the poisoned part, hence mild signs of poisoning. A livestock carcass was found on site where the 2 cubs were found dead together with two 20mls syringes, on examination they were colored with a substance that exhibited a particular odour. It is assumed that the carcass was poisoned by injecting it with a lethal chemical substance. Cause of death, prognosis and recommendation The surviving lions (female and a cub) could not be found even after a nightlong search. From a review of a video taken by the Community Scouts, the lion and the cub showed low risk. An antelope carcass found on site where the 2 lions spent the day prior to the vet’s arrival, may suggest the lion had managed to make a kill. However, the local teams were tasked to monitor the lions.
Case 11 – 28th November 2021 Zebra
Human-wildlife conflict
Osoit Village, Amboseli Environs
A zebra was reported recumbent and unable to stand at Osoit area. Examination and post-mortem Physical examination; the female zebra had a broken spine and other injuries after a fall in a latrine pit. The zebra was euthanized on welfare grounds.
Case 12 – 30th November 2021 Zebra
Human-wildlife conflict
Injakta, Amboseli Environs
A resident at Injakta, Amboseli reported a zebra that was trapped in a fenced plot and could not move. It was reported on 30 November and AMVU responded on the same day. Rescue Efforts The zebra was released by the time the vet team arrived. A second zebra was running around the farm trapped and unable to find an exit from the fenced area. The zebra was helped out by opening up the fence. No pictures available for this case.