SWT/KWS MARA MOBILE VETERINARY UNIT FEBRUARY 2022
Introduction
9 Cases in February
7 Poaching Cases
6 Elephant Cases
February Report by Dr. Campaign Limo There was moderate precipitation in February providing enough water and forage for wildlife use. Most treatments carried out among the various species were caused by humans. One baby elephant requiring rescue after suffering gunshot wounds to his right hind leg and his chances of survival in the wild were considered minimal. An elephant post-mortem revealed the bull died from spear wounds, whilst two other elephants and one giraffe were treated for spear wounds. Another elephant was treated for an arrow wound. A warthog was rescued from a nylon snare around the snout and a cheetah was treated for bite wounds but sadly succumbed to the wounds. Acknowledgement The Mara Mobile Veterinary Unit would like to thank all stakeholders who offered them assistance during the month, through reporting and monitoring cases requiring intervention. Thanks to SWT and partners for facilitating the unit. Thanks too to KWS management for their continuous guidance and technical advice to the unit.
Case Details Date
Species
Area Found
4-Feb-22
Elephant
Olkinyei Conservancy
Postmortem
This elephant was found dead within the Conservancy
Died
5-Feb-22
Elephant
Olkinyei Conservancy
Spear
This big bull was found dead with a severely infected wound caused by a spear
Poaching Death
5-Feb-22
Elephant
Mara North Conservancy
Arrow
Had a deep wound near the left eye caused by a non-poisoned arrow
Successfully Treated
9-Feb-22
Elephant
Oloisukut Conservancy
Spear
The affected limb showed a deep spear wound laterally on the mid-thigh
Successfully Treated
11-Feb-22
Giraffe
Mara Triangle
Spear
This injury was caused by a sharp object, likely spear with severe maggot infestation
Successfully Treated
12-Feb-22
Cheetah
Masai Mara NR
Natural Causes
Multiple bite wounds one deep enough to access the pleural cavity
Died
13-Feb-22
Elephant
Masai Mara NR
Bullet Wound
Two penetrating on the medial aspect of the joint consistent with gunshot wounds
Taken to Orphanage
14-Feb-22
Other
Masai Mara NR
Snared
This male was seen with a sisal rope round his snout
Successfully Treated
27-Feb-22
Elephant
Nyekweri Forest
Spear
A deep septic wound on his left foreleg, appeared to have been caused by spearing
Prognosis Poor
Reason for Intervention
Outcome
SWT/KWS Mara Mobile Vet Unit Treatment Locations February 2022
Case 1 – 4th February 2022 Elephant
Post-mortem
Olkinyei Conservancy
This elephant was found dead within the Conservancy by the Conservancy Rangers. Post-mortem Examination The carcass of this female was found intact and on right lateral recumbency with no evidence of struggle before death. No injuries were detected even after the carcass was flipped over. A metal detector was used to scan the body for possible foreign metallic objects; none were found. She appeared to have been in a good body condition and nursing at the time of death. The family members could not be traced but reports from the rangers indicated she had a two-year old calf. A 3-day search to trace the calf was unsuccessful. The carcass was opened, and it was noted that the abdomen was heavily bloated with gas occupying most of the stomach and intestines. The amount of ingesta found in the gastrointestinal system was little compared to the size of the elephant. There was evidence of decreased or intermittent feeding. The amount of peritoneal fluid appeared more than normal. The proximal rectum had accumulated dry faecal material over 5kg creating a huge bolus and no faeces distally beyond this point. All other organs appeared grossly normal. Cause of death This elephant cow died from complications of impaction at proximal rectum.
Case 2 – 5th February 2022 Elephant
Spear
Olkinyei Conservancy
Conservancy Rangers found the carcass of this bull close to a road within the Conservancy. Through their management, they called the mobile veterinary unit for assessment. Post-mortem Examination This big bull was found lying on his right side with both tusks intact. He appeared to have been in a fair body condition before death. His front left limb was heavily swollen and closer examination revealed a deep penetrating wound on the lateral side of left elbow. This was a severely infected wound with a lot of accumulated pus. This appeared to have been caused by a spear. No other injuries were seen on other sides of the body with all other organs appearing normal save for evident petechiae. These petechiations across all organs was associated with sepsis. Cause of death This bull died from septic shock as a result of an infected spear wound. Both tusks were removed and handed over to KWS security personnel for accounting and safe custody.
Case 3 – 5th February 2022 Elephant
Arrow
Mara North Conservancy
This female nursing an approximately one year old calf was seen with an injury below her left eye by Mara North Conservancy Rangers and Mara Elephant Project monitoring teams while on their joint patrols. Immobilisation, examination and treatment This female was found browsing with her family of eleven members. She had a relatively fresh wound on the ventral side of her left eye. The elephant was darted from a vehicle with 16mgs Etorphine. It took eight minutes for the drugs to take full effect. The rest of the family members were gently pushed away with vehicles to allow for this female to be treated. Her young calf followed the rest of the herd, but they waited a few meters away. She assumed sternal recumbency and treatment was carried out quickly so her breathing would not be compromised. Examination revealed a deep wound about 3-days old caused by a non-poisoned arrow. The wound was debrided with Hydrogen peroxide, rinsed with water, disinfected with Iodine then sprayed with Oxytetracycline. She was also given Amoxicillin antibiotics and Flunixin meglumine anti-inflammatories. Prognosis Four minutes after the anaesthetic was reversed, she joined her family members. Prognosis is good.
Case 4 – 9th February 2022 Elephant
Spear
Oloisukut Conservancy
This young bull was seen walking with difficulty by Oloisukut and Mara Elephant Project teams while on their joint patrols. He was limping on his right hind leg. He was traced to a shrubby area close to Mara River browsing with other elephants. He preserved his right hind leg while on motion. Immobilisation, examination and treatment Immobilization was achieved with 17mgs Etorphine hydrochloride. He was darted from a vehicle and it took seven minutes for the drugs to take full effect with this elephant assuming right lateral recumbency. To access the injured leg, he had to be turned over by vehicles and ropes. Examination of the affected limb showed a deep spear wound laterally on the mid-thigh. This wound was less than two days old with no sepsis. The wound was debrided with Hydrogen peroxide, rinsed with clean water and disinfected with tincture of Iodine. Cloxacillin ointment was then infused. Other treatments given include Flunixin meglumine anti-inflammatory and Amoxicillin antibiotics all given intramuscularly. Prognosis The anaesthetic was reversed and he got up two minutes later to join the rest of the herd. Prognosis is good.
Case 5 – 11th February 2022 Giraffe
Spear
Mara Triangle
This big bull was seen by Mara Conservancy Rangers and Ann.K.Taylor anti-snaring team. This bull was found standing alone in an open area with a big wound on his right hindlimb. He walked with a limp. Immobilisation, examination and treatment Restraint was achieved chemically with a combination of 12mgs Etorphine hydrochloride and 60mgs Azaperone. He advanced towards a small river but the teams prevented him from reaching there. Drugs took effect after eight minutes and he was roped down at the edge of the shallow river. After making sure he was stable, assessment of the injury was carried out. This was a sharp object caused injury, likely a spear, with severe maggot infestation. All maggots were removed manually, and the wound debrided with Hydrogen peroxide, rinsed with clean water, disinfected with Iodine and infused with Cloxacillin antibiotic ointment. Other treatments given include parenteral administration of Amoxicillin antibiotics, Flunixin meglumine anti-inflammatories and Ivermectin parasiticides. Prognosis He struggled to get up given the area was slippery and drifted towards the river. The team secured him with ropes and pulled him out to a drier area where he stood up and moved away. Prognosis is good.
Case 6 – 12th February 2022 Cheetah
Natural Causes
Olkiombo, Masai Mara National Reserve
This male is a member of the famous five male cheetahs who had formed a formidable coalition known to bring down reasonably big game such as adult wildebeests. Over the past few years, they have been a big attraction to the Conservation area. Sadly, last year one male was chased out and killed by other carnivores. One of the remaining four members was found on this date by visitors struggling to stand. He had injuries on either side of his thoracic spine. The Unit found him under a shade with two members of the coalition a few meters away. A third member was reported to be mating with a female some distance away. Immobilisation, examination and treatment The cheetah was darted from a vehicle with 1.5mgs Medetomidine and 120mgs Ketamine. He moved a few meters before the drugs took effect after which he was brought back to the shade for examination. He had five puncture wounds, three on the left side of his spine and two on the right; all were bite wounds, likely from another cheetah when competing for mating rights. The right sided wounds were deep enough to access the pleural cavity. He was breathing with a lot of difficulty with signs of pneumothorax. All the wounds were cleaned with water and disinfected with Iodine. The deep puncture wound was sutured with absorbable suture. The cheetah was also given Clindamycin antibiotics and Dexamethasone sodium anti-inflammatories. Prognosis Prognosis was poor due to the pneumothorax and degree of spinal injury. Sadly, he died 24 hours later.
Case 7 – 13th February 2022 Elephant
Bullet Wound
Roan Hill, Masai Mara National Reserve
This young calf was seen lagging behind his family by visitors. He appeared to be limping on his right hindlimb. He was found in a relatively open area, standing still, with his mother a few meters away. His right knee was heavily swollen with scanty whitish discharge. Because it was getting dark, the team decided to leave him with his family overnight and return the next day where they found him in the same location. Immobilisation, examination and treatment The mother was first immobilised as she was very protective, then the calf was calmed with 40mgs Azaperone and physically restrained. Examination revealed two penetrating on the medial aspect of the joint wounds with exit points on the lateral side. This was consistent with gunshot wounds. Luckily, the joint capsule was not ruptured but there was severe soft tissue injury leading to swelling and limited joint movement. The wounds were infected with pus accumulating. The accumulated pus was drained, and the wound debrided with Hydrogen peroxide, lavaged with water., disinfected with Iodine and sprayed with Oxytetracycline. The calf was also given Clindamycin antibiotics and Dexamethasone sodium anti-inflammatory. Rescue The team felt that this calf required frequent follow up treatments and he could not survive in the wild with such extensive injuries. He was taken by air to the SWT Nairobi Orphanage in Nairobi for better management.
Case 8 – 14th February 2022 Warthog
Snare
Kichwa Tembo, Masai Mara NR
This male was seen with a sisal rope round his snout by Ann K Taylor anti-snaring teams. He was found struggling to graze with a female companion in an open field within the Kichwa Tembo lodge compound.
Immobilisation, examination and treatment The warthog was easily darted from foot with 4mgs Etorphine hydrochloride and 10mgs Azaperone. It took four minutes for the drugs to have full effect. The loose snare was removed and further assessment showed, this warthog had a sharp object inflicted wound on the right side of his abdomen. All these could have been caused by human actions. The wound was cleaned with Hydrogen peroxide and rinsed with clean water. Tincture of iodine was applied as a disinfectant with Oxytetracycline wound spray being applied topically. The warthog was also given Amoxicillin antibiotics and Flunixin meglumine anti-inflammatories given parenterally. Prognosis He woke up two minutes post reversal to join his female companion. Prognosis is good
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Case 9 – 27th February 2022 Elephant
Spear
Nyekweri Forest
This big bull was seen with a severe limp by Mara Elephant Project Rangers while on their daily patrols. His left foreleg was swollen affecting his ability to ambulate freely. He was found alone in the middle of the forest browsing. His body condition appeared good. Immobilisation, examination and treatment Due to the challenging terrain, the elephant was darted from foot with a dart filled with 17mgs Etorphine hydrochloride. It took ten minutes for the drugs to take full effect and he assuming right lateral recumbency. After making sure he was stable, he was examined, revealing a deep septic wound on mid lateral side of his left foreleg. This appeared to have been caused by spearing. The wound was debrided with Hydrogen peroxide and rinsed with a copious amount of water. Gauze swabs were used to wipe the wound dry and tincture of Iodine introduced for disinfection. Oxytetracycline powder and Oxytetracycline wound spray was then applied. Other treatments given included Amoxicillin antibiotics and Flunixin meglumine antiinflammatory given parenterally Prognosis He rose up three minutes after anaesthetic reversal with a little assistance using ropes and moved away. Prognosis was guarded and ground teams were advised to monitor his progress for possible repeat treatment.