SWT/KWS MARA MOBILE VETERINARY UNIT February 2019
Introduction
8 Cases in February
6 Elephant Cases
4 Poaching Cases
February Report by Dr. Campaign Limo The conservation area received minimum precipitation during the month with water and browsing material becoming scarce. Most animals were seen concentrating near swamps and watering points. Few cases requiring intervention were reported. Acknowledgement The Mara Mobile Veterinary Unit wishes to extend appreciation to all stake holders for reporting and monitoring cases that required intervention. Thanks to the Minara foundation through SWT for their continued facilitation of the unit. Thanks too, to KWS management for their advice and guidance that has seen many species saved.
Case Details Date
Species
Area Found
01-Feb-19 Elephant
Oloisukut Conservancy, Masai Mara
10-Feb-19
Reason for Intervention
Outcome
Rescue
This calf was alone and abandoned. The calf was slowly losing condition with signs of malnutrition
Taken to Orphanage
Mara Triangle, Masai Mara
Snared
He was seen alone with the tight snare round his neck.
Successfully Treated
12-Feb-19 Elephant
Mara Triangle, Masai Mara
Snared
A snare round his trunk that was tight round the upper a third of his trunk
Successfully Treated
13-Feb-19
Masai Mara National Reserve
Natural Causes
Examination revealed complete fracture of the lower jaw with sepsis, possibly from a kick from large prey.
Died
19-Feb-19 Elephant
Pardamat, Masai Mara
Natural Causes
A swollen elbow joint possibly caused by a sprain.
Successfully Treated
21-Feb-19 Elephant
Olarro Conservancy, Masai Mara
Natural Causes
An old scar from a blow to her right hip joint possibly causing dislocation of the leg
Successfully Treated
24-Feb-19
Masai Mara National Reserve
Snared
This zebra was seen dragging a plain wire attached to her neck
Successfully Treated
Masai Mara National Reserve
Arrow
Carcass was opened, and a poisoned barbed arrowhead was retrieved with severe necrosis at the lodged area
Poaching Death
Hyena
Lion
Zebra
25-Feb-19 Elephant
KWS/SWT Mara Mobile Vet Unit Treatment Locations February 2019
Case 1 – 1st February 2019 Elephant
Rescue
Oloisukut Conservancy
This abandoned calf was seen by Oloisukut Conservancy Rangers whilst on patrol. They informed the TransMara KWS team who helped them in trying to trace the mother. After a week of monitoring, there was clear evidence this calf was alone and abandoned. The calf was slowly losing condition with signs of malnutrition being exhibited by pot belly and bony tissue prominences. A decision to rescue this calf was arrived at after consultation with all relevant stakeholders.
Rescue The vet and rescue team traced and darted this calf from foot with 60mgs Azaperone tartarate, which was enough to calm the calf so she could be physically restrained. Examination revealed she had no physical injuries. She was loaded onto a padded truck and taken to the nearest airstrip. A plane was waiting at the airstrip and she was loaded swiftly and taken to the SWT elephant orphanage in Nairobi to be nurtured back to health and eventually reintegrated back into the wild.
Case 2 – 10th February Hyena
Snared
Mara Triangle, Masai Mara
This young spotted hyena was seen dragging a long snare fixed round his neck by Mara Triangle Rangers on their daily patrols. They called the Mobile Veterinary Unit to help de-snare the animal. Immobilisation, examination and treatment The Vet Team found the hyena alone with a tight snare around his neck. He appeared uncomfortable as he dragged the snare around when moving. The vet darted the hyena with a combination of 1.5mgs Etorphine hydrochloride and 1mgs Medetomidine and the drugs took full effect after 3 minutes. A blindfold was put in place before commencement of examination and treatment. The long cable wire around his neck had created a shallow wound. The wire was cut loose, and the septic wound was debrided with Hydrogen peroxide. The wound was then rinsed with clean water and tincture of Iodine applied before it was sprayed with Oxytetracycline antibiotic spray. Other treatments include Amoxicillin antibiotic and an anti- inflammatory. Prognosis The hyena woke up shortly after treatment and moved to the shade. Prognosis is good
Case 3 – 12th February 2019 Elephant
Snared
Mara Triangle, Masai Mara
This elephant calf, in the company of his mother and other family members, was seen in the morning on the 12th February with a tight snare round his trunk, by Mara Triangle Rangers on patrol. Immobilisation, examination and treatment The snare was tight around the upper third of his trunk, however his body condition appeared satisfactory. The calf was immobilised, and the drugs took full effect after four minutes with the calf assuming left lateral recumbency. The mother and the other family members were pushed aside in order to attend to the calf. The snare had created an open wound with partial exposure of his nasal nares. The lower part of the trunk was still functional and had good nerve and blood supply. The cable wire was released and the resultant wound, which appeared relatively fresh, was cleaned with water. Iodine and an antibiotic spray. The snare could have been there for about one week. Other treatments included Amoxicillin antibiotic and an anti-inflammatory. Prognosis Good. The injury will heal with time. The opening on the nares will retract substantially with the functions of the trunk barely affected.
Case 4 – 13th February 2019 Lion
Natural Causes
Masai Mara National Reserve
This young cub was seen with a hanging lower jaw by County Security Rangers who called the Mobile Veterinary Unit for intervention. Immobilisation, examination and treatment The cub was found in the company of other pride members, emaciated, unable to suckle and appearing to be in pain. The lower jaw was hanging. She was restrained manually with the help of a towel and sedated with 0.6mgs Medetomidine. Examination revealed complete fracture of the lower jaw with sepsis. This could have been caused by a blow, possibly from a kick from larger prey. This cub had lost condition and was evidently unable to feed. Prognosis It was going to be impossible for her to live in this situation and a decision to end her suffering was arrived at.
Case 5 – 19th February 2019 Elephant
Natural Causes
Pardamat Conservancy
This big bull was seen by KWS, Mara Elephant Project and Pardamat Rangers whilst on patrol. He was alone and moved with a limping gait. He had been treated for a similar problem in December with little improvement. Immobilisation, examination and treatment He was found alone in a thicket and resisted any attempt to be pushed towards an open place. He moved slowly with an obvious limp of his left forelimb. After resisting several attempts to be pushed into the open, he eventually made a slight move to the edge of the bush where the vet was able to dart him from foot. Examination revealed a swollen elbow joint suspected to have been caused by sprain. His right foot also had an injury likely caused by stepping on a sharp object. The swollen limb was massaged for a few minutes whilst the wound on the right foot was debrided with Hydrogen peroxide, rinsed with clean water, disinfected with tincture of Iodine and infused with Cloxacillin antibiotic ointment. Other treatments given include parenteral administration of Amoxicillin antibiotic and Flunixin meglumine anti-inflammatory. Prognosis Good.
Case 6 – 21st February 2019 Elephant
Natural Causes
Olarro Conservancy
This young elephant was seen limping by KWS, Mara Elephant Project and Olarro Rangers whilst on patrol. They called the Mobile Veterinary Unit for intervention. Immobilisation, examination and treatment After manoeuvring up the hill, the vet was able to dart this elephant from the vehicle and the elephant was fully narcotized after seven minutes. Examination revealed an old scar from a blow to her right hip joint possibly causing dislocation of the leg at this point. This was a long-standing injury that had since healed. The leg appeared slightly wasted likely from atrophy of disuse. She was given Amoxicillin antibiotics to counter any potential infections from the stress of capture and Flunixin meglumine anti-inflammatory. Prognosis Good. She should be able to live positively with the deformity.
Case 7 – 24th February 2019 Zebra
Snare
Masai Mara National Reserve
This zebra was seen dragging a plain wire around her neck by the Mobile Veterinary Team on their way from other assignments within the Reserve. She was in the company of other zebras grazing but noticeably restless.
Immobilisation, examination and treatment The vet darted the zebra from a vehicle with a combination of 5mgs Etorphine hydrochloride and 50mgs Azaperone tartarate in a 1.5ml dan-inject dart. The drugs took full effect after four minutes. Examination revealed a relatively tight plain wire snare round her neck, possibly in place for less than a week. No injuries had been caused by the snare which was removed without difficulty. No treatment was considered necessary and the zebra was immediately reversed with 18mgs diprenorphine hydrochloride delivered through the jugular vein. Prognosis Prognosis is good. She rose up within one minute of reversal to join the other zebras waiting nearby.
Case 8 – 25th February 2019 Elephant
Post-mortem, Arrow
Masai Mara National Reserve
This big elephant over 45 years old was seen struggling to stand by County Government Rangers on patrol. They called the Mobile Veterinary Unit to intervene, but he died whilst the team was heading to the scene to assist. General Examination He was found on his right lateral recumbency with signs of a struggle at the scene before death. His body condition was good. When the carcass was turned over, a small swelling was seen on his right thigh. On opening the swelling a poisoned barbed arrowhead was retrieved with severe necrosis at the lodged area. On opening the carcass all other organs appeared normal. The tusks were retrieved for safe custody and eventual transfer to KWS by the County Security Personnel. Prognosis This elephant died from a poisoned arrow lodged in the right thigh.
Report by Dr. Campaign Limo