SWT/KWS AMBOSELI MOBILE VETERINARY UNIT February 2019
Introduction
10 Cases in February
4 Elephant Cases
4 Poaching Cases
February Report by Dr. Edward Kariuki Amboseli Mobile Veterinary Unit (AMVU) attended to 10 clinical cases this month. Animals attended included four elephants, two zebras, two hyenas, two guinea fowls and a giraffe and a wildebeest. The confiscated guinea fowls were examined and released to a licensed game farm. The birds could not be released into the wild because they were domesticated and hybridized. Two hyenas that died of suspected poisoning were examined for cause of death through a necropsy and samples submitted to the laboratory for confirmation. The elephants were all treated for injuries while a zebra foal and wildebeest kid were rescued for being orphaned and later released to favourable herds for adoption. Acknowledgement We thank the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust (SWT) for material support and Mobile Unit funding, KWS for logistical support and security. Biglife foundation, and SWT rangers for reporting and monitoring of distressed wild animals. The SWT Pilots and Craig from Biglife are thanked for their assistance in the aerial surveillance of the elephants after darting.
Case Details Date
Species
Area Found
Reason for Intervention
Outcome
04-Feb-19
Zebra
Amboseli National Park
Rescue
Signs of dehydration and the foal was inactive which might explain neglect by the maternal herd
Taken to Orphanage
08-Feb-19
Zebra
Amboseli National Park
Natural Causes
Suffered a lumbar spinal fracture and could not stand. Possibly caused by a fall at high speed
Died
09-Feb-19
Guinea Fowl
Amboseli National Park
Rescue
Two guinea fowls were confiscated from their unlicensed owner.
Task Successful
13-Feb-19
Wildebeest
Amboseli National Park
Rescue
The wildebeest calf was rescued from Nkong Narok area. The calf was strong but found alone.
Task Successful
19-Feb-19
Elephant
Tsavo West National Park
Arrow
The elephant bull suffered from a huge swelling that was covered and hung from his belly.
Prognosis Fair
19-Feb-19
Elephant
Tsavo West National Park
Arrow
Suffered an open swelling on his belly. The swelling was not infected but bled continuously.
Successfully Treated
22-Feb-19
Giraffe
Kimana Group Ranch
Natural Causes
The giraffe had swollen feet. However, the legs were not infected and suffered no wound.
Died
23-Feb-19
Elephant
Chyulu Hills National Park
Arrow
The bull had a wound on the right hind leg. The injury was fresh, uninfected but bleeding profusely
Successfully Treated
24-Feb-19
Elephant
Tsavo West National Park
Arrow
The bull had a wound on his foreleg. It was a closed injury that was very swollen.
Successfully Treated
28-Feb-19
Hyena
Kuku Group Ranch
HumanWildlife Conflict
Two sick hyenas were reported but deceased when the Vet Unit arrived so a postmortem was conducted
HWC Death
KWS/SWT Amboseli Mobile Vet Unit Treatment Locations February 2019
Case 1 – 4th February 2019 Zebra
Rescue
Amboseli National Park
A zebra foal was rescued by KWS rangers on Patrol at Sentrim Hotel area. The calf was weak and dehydrated and needed medical care. Immobilisation, examination and treatment The foal was restrained manually to a standing position for ease of treatment. The foal was docile and too weak to resist any manoeuvre during treatment. The foal showed adequate signs of dehydration and was less alert to external stimuli. It was inactive, and that could help explain neglect by the maternal herd. Fluids and electrolytes were compensated by rehydration using glucose and lactate fluids. A physical exam using capillary refill time and membrane colour was used to estimate the hydration status. The foal was also treated systemically with antibiotics (5ml of Amoxicillin (Betamox LAÂŽ) through intramuscular route. The calf was fed on cow milk three times a day following her rescue. The foal recovered after feeding and became active to the extent that it walked to the park on the following day. The calf followed a herd in the park and was sighted after a day; however, it could not be located after two days. Prognosis The prognosis was good.
Case 2 – 8th February 2019 Zebra
Natural Causes
Amboseli National Park
A report of a recumbent male zebra was received from Sentrim Hotel area. The Zebra was reported struggling and unable to stand. Immobilisation, examination and treatment The Team attempted to manually restrain the zebra but were unsuccessful. 4mg Etorphine and 70mg Azaperone were used to immobilize the male zebra chemically. The zebra was placed on lateral recumbency for ease of examination. The Zebra had suffered a lumbar spine fracture and could not stand on his own. The fracture could have been caused by trauma after a fall while at high speed. Prognosis As the prognosis was very unfavourable, the decision was made to euthanize the zebra. The zebra was euthanized using 20ml Sodium Pentobarbitone (EuthanazeÂŽ). The drug was given intravenously through the jugular vein.
Case 3 – 9th February 2019 Other
Rescue
Amboseli National Park
Two guinea fowls were confiscated, at the Customs office in Loitoktok, as the owner was in illegal possession of the birds. Immobilisation, examination and treatment The birds were restrained manually and kept in-house at the Amboseli park HQ. The fowls were healthy and active. They had patchy markings that are associated with domestically bred fowls. The birds were domesticated and had characteristics indicating that they were probably not caught from the wild.
Prognosis As the birds were domesticated, they were held and given to the Loitoktok Warden to try and re-home them with a licensed farmer. No photos were provided for this case.
Case 4 – 13th February 2019 Antelope
Rescue
Amboseli National Park
A wildebeest calf was rescued from Nkong Narok area. The calf was strong but found on her own. Community elders assisted in rescuing and contacting the AMVU Team. Immobilization, examination and treatment The calf was restrained manually and transported by vehicle. The calf was well hydrated and looked healthy. It was introduced into a wildebeest herd at Oldare swamp and was well received. Prognosis The prognosis was fair as the adoption was relatively uncertain.
Case 5 – 19th February 2019 Elephant
Arrow
Tsavo West National Park
SWT Rangers reported the elephant to the AMVU Team. SWT aircraft was instrumental in monitoring the elephant after darting. Immobilization, examination and treatment The elephant was located and darted from a vehicle. It became fully immobilized in about 10 minutes and fell on lateral position. The male elephant suffered a huge swelling that was closed and hung from his belly. The wound looked old but was filled with pus.
The swelling was ruptured to remove the pus and clean the wound. The bull was treated systemically with 100ml of Amoxicillin (Betamox LAÂŽ) administered intramuscularly. Additionally, Hydrogen Peroxide was used to debride the dead tissue. Iodine was also applied to treat any bacterial infection of the wound. The wound at the belly was infused with Amoxicillin, and Oxytetracycline spray was used to cover it and protect it against flies and any secondary bacterial infections. Prognosis The elephant was revived and prognosis for full recovery remained fair.
Case 6 – 19th February 2019 Elephant
Arrow
Tsavo West National Park
SWT Rangers reported the elephant to the AMVU Team. The SWT aircraft was used to monitor the elephant together with the AMVU Team. Immobilization, examination and treatment The elephant was located and darted from a vehicle. It went down in about 9 minutes and fell and remained on lateral recumbency during the treatment. The male elephant suffered an open swelling at the belly. The swelling was not infected but bled continually. The elephant was treated systemically with 100ml of Amoxicillin (Betamox LAÂŽ) administered intramuscularly and prevent any bacterial infection. Prognosis The elephant was revived and prognosis for full recovery is good.
Case 7 – 22nd February 2019 Giraffe
Natural Causes
Kimana Group Ranch, Amboseli
Big-Life Foundation rangers reported the giraffe to the AMVU Team. The giraffe was reported immobile and inactive. Immobilization, examination and treatment The giraffe was located and darted on foot. It went down in about 7 minutes and was placed on lateral recumbency for ease of treatment. The male giraffe had swollen feet. However, the legs were not infected and suffered no wound apart from the distal feet swelling. The giraffe died before any treatment. Resuscitation was tried but to no avail.
Case 8 – 23rd February 2019 Elephant
Arrow
Chyulu Hills National Park
Big-Life Foundation offices reported the elephant to the AMVU Team. The SWT helicopter assisted in pushing the elephant to a suitable working area out of the thick bush. Immobilization, examination and treatment The elephant was located and darted from a helicopter. The bull was fully immobilized about 10 minutes after darting. The male elephant suffered a deep wound on the hind right leg, suspected to be an arrow wound. The injury was fresh and not infected, but the profuse bleeding observed caused concern for the health of the bull. The bull was treated systemically with a 100ml of Amoxicillin (Betamox LAÂŽ) administered intramuscularly. Additionally, the wound was treated with Oxytetracycline spray to protect the it from flies and secondary bacterial infection. Prognosis The elephant was revived and prognosis for full recovery is good.
Case 9 – 24th February 2019 Elephant
Arrow
Tsavo West National Park
SWT reported the elephant to the AMVU Team. Immobilization, examination and treatment The elephant was located and darted from a helicopter. The bull became fully immobilized in about 10 minutes. The male elephant had a wound on his foreleg. The leg suffered a closed injury that was swollen. The elephant suffered no other physical harm from the swelling. The bull was treated systemically with 100ml of Amoxicillin (Betamox LAÂŽ) administered through intramuscular route. The wound was punctured to drain the pus, was cleaned and then covered in green clay to assist with the healing process. Prognosis The elephant was revived and prognosis for full recovery is good.
Case 10 – 28th February 2019 Hyena
Human-Wildlife Conflict
Kuku Group Ranch, Amboseli
Mr Muterian, a warden at Kuku Group Ranch, reported the hyena case to the AMVU following the finding of two hyenas around Iltilal trading Centre. Mr Muterian reported alive animals that required clinical attention, but on arrival of the AMVU team, the animals were found dead. Examination and findings Hyena Vomitus was traced on the ground around the site of the hyena death. Vomitus included remains of skin, fur and pieces of hooves. Watery faecal matter was spotted in one spot around the area where the hyena was found. The faecal dropping was whitish to light yellow. There was marked evidence of a pre-death struggle; scratch and body movement marks were observed on the ground next to the carcass. External examination – Hyena 1 The female hyena carcass demonstrated good body condition before death. External parasites were few with only two ticks collected from the ear. No flies or fly eggs were observed on the body surface or body crevasses. The hyena had blood spots on the head. The mouth had signs of dried up foam around the lips. Faecal material was observed next to the body indicating production before death. The droppings were soft and not well-formed. The carcass was relatively fresh with minimal decomposition. The facial area was reasonably normal and had no oedema while the stomach was not bloated. Internal examination A ventral midline incision was made to open the carcass. Internal organs were exteriorized and observed as follows, a. Blood vessels with a dark red colour observed in skeletal muscles. b. Trachea had numerous haemorrhages both internally and externally. Bloody and frothy fluid were observed along the trachea, spreading to the bronchi c. Abdominal cavity observations, i. The peritoneum was relatively clean. ii. Spleen enlarged, dark coloured and mottled surface. The liver had a mottled or a cooked appearance. Gall bladder was generally enlarged. Pinpoint haemorrhages were present on the liver tissue surface. iii. The Stomach contained a large number of food contents. The contents were macerated but with numerous medium sized pieces of bones, as well as a lot of hair and hooves. iv. Intestinal lumen filled with air and yellow coloured liquid paste content. d.
Thoracic cavity: Pericardial sac content was normal. Lungs showed marked congestion and displayed extensive dark haemorrhagic areas with a blotchy external appearance.
External examination The second female hyena carcass demonstrated good body condition before death. The carcass was relatively fresh with minimal decomposition. The hyena carcass had massive dried up blood marks on the head. External parasites, only one tick was collected from Hyena 2. No flies or fly eggs were observed on the body surfaces or body crevasses. Internal examination A ventral midline incision was made to open the carcass, internal organs exteriorised, and pathological lesions documented as follows, a. Large parts of internal bleeding were observed in the subcutis and external muscle layers of the neck, and abdomen. b. Trachea: numerous haemorrhages both internally and externally observed — a frothy bloody fluid found along the trachea. c.
Abdominal cavity macroscopic observations, i. Peritoneum covered with bloody fluid. ii. Spleen damaged, dark coloured and had mottled surface. iii. The Liver was engorged and had a cooked appearance. The gall bladder was enlarged. Haemorrhages present all over the liver tissue. iv. The stomach contained macerated contents with numerous pieces of bone, as well as a lot of short hair and hooves. v. Intestinal lumen filled with air and yellow coloured liquid paste content.
d.
Thoracic cavity: Lungs showed marked congestion. They displayed extensive darkish haemorrhagic areas with a blotchy external appearance.
Cause of death Hyena 1: Respiratory failure due to obstructions probably caused by forced vomiting. Lack of signs of disease from known infectious conditions could help explain the probability of poisoning. Hyena 2: Severe internal bleeding. Substantial bleeding was as a result of injury to the spleen and head. The lungs additionally indicated respiratory complications that could have lead to animal immobility before the head and spleen were damaged. Recommendations 1. Tissue organs (liver and lungs) together with stomach and intestinal contents were collected and stored in the fridge at 40 C to be tested and quantified for the presence of lethal organophosphates and carbamates and among other chemical toxicants available in Kenya. 2. Burning and burying were used to dispose of the carcass. The method was ideal for minimal environmental contamination. Wood was collected, a fireplace built and ignited with 2-litre petrol and tended until all body parts were burnt. The carcass was incinerated in a ditch to allow burying of the ash and unburnt remains 3. A team from Kuku Group Ranch was assigned to ensure fire burnt out entirely without the risk of accidental spread.
Report by Dr. Edward Kariuki