SWT/KWS AMBOSELI MOBILE VETERINARY UNIT JANUARY 2022
Introduction
7 Cases in January
1 Poaching Case
2 Elephant Cases
January Report by Dr. Kariuki Edward The Amboseli Veterinary Unit (SCA-AMVU) attended 7 veterinary cases during January 2022. The Amboseli/Chyulu ecosystem received good rains during the reporting period but unfortunately the areas adjacent remained dry. This led to livestock incursions in the area including across the Kenyan Tanzania border. The heavy livestock movement is expected to influence the endemic disease status. In most cases there occurs a rise in some endemic diseases, but fortunately none have been reported so far. The Veterinary Department at Kajiado County conducted vaccinations on livestock which is useful in preventing disease spill into the park however, wildlife is notoriously known to move outside the park boundaries. Clinical cases included routine vaccinations for 2 security dogs, post-mortem of a dead buffalo and attempted post-mortem of an elephant in Amboseli National Park. A marabou stork shot with an arrow could not be darted and monitoring is ongoing, similarly a sick elephant was prescribed monitoring. A zebra suffering dystocia was treated and sadly a lion was euthanised after sustaining serious injuries. 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 whom we 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-Jan-22
Security Dog
Tsavo West NP
Technical Cases
Prophylactic treatment/vaccination
Successfully Treated
20-Jan-22
Buffalo
Amboseli NP
Postmortem
Post-mortem was inconclusive due to scavenger activity, however, the limbs appeared swollen
Died
20-Jan-22
Other
Amboseli NP
Arrow
The arrow was shot into the back and exited through the breast muscles
Prognosis Poor
22-Jan-22
Elephant
Amboseli NP
Postmortem
The carcass was spotted floating in a swamp. Post-mortem was inconclusive
Died
24-Jan-22
Zebra
Amboseli NP
Natural Causes
The calf was dead and the hind limbs were trapped inside the cervix
Successfully Treated
24-Jan-22
Elephant
Chyulu Hills
Natural Causes
The elephant strained on defaecation. Tentative diagnosis was colic
Prognosis Poor
24-Jan-22
Lion
Tsavo East NP
Natural Causes
The lion was badly injured after a night long battle with another lion
Died
SWT/KWS Amboseli Mobile Vet Unit Treatment Locations January 2021
Case 1 – 14th January 2022 Security Dog
Technical Case
Ngulia, Tsavo West National Park
AMVU was called to attend to dogs at Ngulia Sanctuary. Babli and Jay are the security tracking dogs at the sanctuary. The treatment was scheduled for the control of potential trypanosomiasis which is endemic in the area. Examination and treatment Physical examination; The dogs presented with good body condition and health. They were very active, alert and playing around. The housing and its environs was clean and so were the dogs. Quinapyramine sulphate (Triquin®) was used for the prophylactic treatment. Dosage was calculated according to the respective weight of the dog and given subcutaneously Prognosis Good. The dogs were healthy and not under any risk.
Case 2 – 20th January 2022 Buffalo
Post-mortem
Amboseli National Park
Amboseli Patrol rangers notified AMVU of a buffalo found dead inside the park. The carcass was already opened up by vultures and decomposed by the time the vet team visited the location. Post-mortem Examination External examination: the buffalo’s internal organs and contents had been removed and eaten. The limbs appeared swollen and there was a scar on the front limb. The carcass had been scavenged by vultures and was in an advanced state of decomposition, most likely due to the high temperatures in the area. The state of the carcass could not allow for full post-mortem. Cause of Death Not conclusive due to decomposition and predation by vultures.
Case 3 – 20th January 2022 Marabou Stork
Arrow
Amboseli National Park
The AMVU was notified of a marabou stork spotted in the park with an embedded arrow in the body. The bird was likely shot outside the park and flew into the park for feeding. Immobilisation The arrow had entered the back and exited through the breast muscles. The bird walked and flew around with the arrow. On observation, the wounded site was swollen. The bird was in pain as indicated by its gait but was very active. The stork flew so frequently that it could not be darted. The bird was darted twice using 18mg of Ketamine and 3mg of Meditomidine. Unfortunately, due to the slanting and slippery nature of the wings the darting was not successful. The bird flew away before intervention and has not been spotted again Prognosis The prognosis is poor unless the animal is seen again for treatment as it is unlikely to be able to survive with the arrow in place and the wound will likely become infected.
Case 4 – 22nd January 2022 Elephant
Post-mortem
Amboseli National Park
Amboseli Patrol Rangers notified AMVU of an elephant calf that was sighted dead inside a swamp in the park. Post-mortem Examination The carcass was spotted floating in a swamp using binoculars. The carcass could not be accessed due to the raised water levels. The calf was open and had been scavenged on the flank by both fish and birds. Cause of Death Not conclusive, the carcass floated inside a swamp and could not be accessed for a full post-mortem examination and analysis.
Case 5 – 24th January 2022 Zebra
Natural Causes
Amboseli National Park
Amboseli Rangers reported a female zebra that was seen with a fetus protruding from the vulva but had its hind legs trapped inside the cervix. AMVU located the animal for immobilization and treatment.
Immobilisation, examination and treatment The zebra was darted from a vehicle using a cocktail of 5mg Etorphine and 70mg Azaperone. The zebra presented with good body condition but looked stressed. The female was observed frequently lying down. However, the calf was dead and the hind limbs were trapped inside the cervix and unable to be expelled. The calf was removed manually by pulling it out physically. The placenta was ejected together with the calf. The uterus was irrigated with diluted Iodine then Iodine was infused using an Intrauterine catheter. 30mls of Amoxicillin was given to cover for bacterial infection. The zebra was revived using 24mg Diprenophine. Prognosis Good. The zebra did not present with any complications.
Case 6 – 24th January 2022 Elephant
Natural Causes
Chyulu Hills National Park
Community Rangers at Chyulu hills reported a sick elephant to the AMVU team. The elephant rested a lot with minimal movement. The bull was dull and less active compared to other elephants in the area. AMVU located and followed the elephant for examination and treatment. Examination The elephant had relatively good body condition and rested under a tree without moving. The elephant was barely responsive even after stimulation. The elephant strained on defaecation and had scanty faecal material with mucus. The elephant moved away from the tree to the water point where it was approached more closely with a vehicle. Tentative diagnosis was colic but there was not much that could be done do due to the risk of recumbency after chemical immobilization. Community Rangers were advised to keep monitoring the elephant for signs of improvement or not. Prognosis The prognosis is poor as the animal is at risk of further complications that could worsen the condition.
Case 7 – 24th January 2022 Lion
Natural Causes
Tsavo East National Park
Rangers from Sheldrick’s reported a lion that was badly injured after a night long battle with another lion. AMVU located the lion for further examination and treatment. The lion was lying on its sternum inside a thicket. The cat had blood and bite marks all over the body. The lion struggled to move and the hind limbs were completely immobile with the lion dragging itself by the front limbs. The lion tried to stand but had a severe dislocation on the lumbar vertebrae. Immobilisation and examination The lion was darted from a vehicle with 280mg Ketamine and 6mg Meditomidine. The lion did not go down with the 1st dart and was darted a second time with 250mg Ketamine and 6mg Meditomidine. The lion had good body condition but he had blood and bite marks all over the back and the flank region and dislocation of the lumbar vertebrae resulting in paralysis of the hind limbs. Management No treatment could resolve the paralysis of hind limbs and possibly could lead to other complications. The lion was euthanised on welfare grounds.