SWT/KWS MARA MOBILE VETERINARY UNIT MARCH 2022
Introduction
6 Cases in March
5 Poaching Cases
3 Elephant Cases
March Report by Dr. Campaign Limo The conservation area received limited precipitation during the month. However, water and fodder for wildlife is still plenty with many elephants coming back to the National Reserve and surrounding conservancies after dispersing to Community Areas. There is also an increase in visitation to the conservation area as compared to the same period last year. During the month, the Unit attended to 6 cases, 5 of which were related to poaching; 3 snaring, 1 spear and 1 arrow incident. Luckily, all the animals ( 2 elephants, 2 giraffe and 1 zebra) were successfully treated. An elephant was also successfully treated for an injury to the foot which was natural as there were no external wounds. Acknowledgement Mara Mobile veterinary unit would like to thank all stakeholders who partnered with them to offer help to animals in need of help during the month. Many thanks to KWS and SWT for their continued guidance and and support for the unit.
Case Details Date
Species
Area Found
Reason for Intervention
12-Mar-22
Elephant
Mara Triangle
Snared
She had difficulty while moving due to a tight snare round her right front leg
Successfully Treated
16-Mar-22
Giraffe
Mara North Conservancy
Spear
The spear could be seen firmly attached on her apical right flank
Successfully Treated
18-Mar-22
Elephant
Olarro Conservancy
Arrow
Found rubbing his right flank against a tree with the arrow seen sticking from his flank
Successfully Treated
21-Mar-22
Giraffe
Mara North Conservancy
Snared
She had difficulty walking due to a tight wire snare visible on her left fetlock joint
Successfully Treated
26-Mar-22
Zebra
Olarro Conservancy
Snared
27-Mar-22
Elephant
Olare Orok Conservancy
Natural Causes
Examination revealed a wound round her neck which was beginning to heal. This was caused by a snare which had fallen off Had a swollen left sole without any visible injury. Careful examination did not reveal any lodged foreign object
Outcome
Successfully Treated Successfully Treated
SWT/KWS Mara Mobile Vet Unit Treatment Locations March 2022
Case 1 – 12th March 2022 Elephant
Snared
Mara Triangle
This young female was seen moving with difficulty by Mara Triangle Rangers. She was in an open area close to the Tanzanian border. The Vet Unit found her alone with the nearest elephants about 800m away. She had a tight snare round her right front leg that had burrowed deep into the tissues around the carpal joint. Immobilisation, examination and treatment The elephant was restrained chemically by use of a combination of 4mgs Etorphine hydrochloride and 40mgs Azaperone tartarate delivered remotely using a 3ml dan-inject dart. Darting was done from a vehicle with the drugs taking seven minutes to create full effect. Examination revealed a tight cable wire snare round her right carpus. This wire was cut loose and the septic wound caused by the snare was debrided with Hydrogen peroxide and rinsed with water. Tincture of Iodine was used for disinfection and green clay packed into the wound to absorb toxins and prevent further sepsis. The elephant also received parenteral administration of Amoxicillin antibiotics and Flunixin meglumine antiinflammatories. Ivermectin was administered subcutaneously to help against internal and external parasites. Prognosis The elephant was successfully revived and prognosis for full recovery is good.
Case 2 – 16th March 2022 Giraffe
Spear
Mara North Conservancy
This giraffe was seen with a spear lodged in her right flank by Mara North Conservancy Rangers. The Unit found her alone in a rocky area with few shrubs.
Immobilisation, examination and treatment Given the presenting terrain challenges, this giraffe was gently pushed to an open area away from rocks and shrubs before being darted from a vehicle. Restraint was achieved with a combination of 10mgs Etorphine hydrochloride and 60mgs Azaperone using a 3ml dan-inject dart. It took eight minutes for the drugs to achieve full effect then the giraffe was roped down for more effective restraint. The spear which was entirely metallic was pulled out gently. Luckily no internal organs were damaged. The resultant wound was debrided with Hydrogen peroxide, rinsed with clean water, disinfected with tincture of Iodine then sprayed with Oxytetracycline wound spray. Other treatments given include parenteral administration of Amoxicillin antibiotics and Flunixin meglumine anti-inflammatories. Prognosis She rose up one and half minutes post reversal and moved away. Prognosis was good.
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Case 3 – 18th March 2022 Elephant
Arrow
Olarro Conservancy
This big bull was seen with an arrowhead lodged on his right flank by Olarro Conservancy Rangers and their Manager. The Vet Unit found this bull browsing with a mixed herd of over hundred individuals. He was constantly rubbing his right flank against a tree with the arrow seen sticking from his right flank. Immobilisation, examination and treatment The elephant was immobilised with 18mgs Etorphine hydrochloride. He was darted from a vehicle with the drugs taking eight minutes to achieve full effect. This bull assumed right lateral recumbency but the injury could be accessed given the arrowhead was on the apical side of his right flank. The arrowhead was gently pulled back and luckily it was nether poisoned nor barbed. It could have been in place for the previous 24 hours. The resultant wound was debrided with Hydrogen peroxide and rinsed with clean water. Tincture of iodine was used for disinfection and Oxytetracycline wound spray applied. Amoxicillin antibiotics and Flunixin meglumine anti-inflammatories were also administered parentally. Prognosis He rose up three minutes after anaesthetic reversal to re-join a nearby herd. Prognosis is good.
Case 4 – 21st March 2022 Giraffe
Snared
Mara North Conservancy
This giraffe was reported by the Mara North Conservancy and KWS Rangers. She was found with a herd of fifteen giraffes in an open field. She had difficulty walking with a tight wire snare visible on her left fetlock joint. She appeared to be in great pain and had lost some body condition.
Immobilisation, examination and treatment The giraffe was darted from a vehicle with a combination of 9mgs Etorphine hydrochloride and 50mgs Azaperone. Once the drugs took effect the giraffe was helped to the ground with ropes. Examination revealed a tight plain wire snare round her right fetlock joint burying deep into the tissues. Luckily the joint integrity was not affected. The wire snare was cut loose and removed then the resultant wound debrided with Hydrogen peroxide. Clean water was used for rinsing before tincture of Iodine was used for disinfection. Oxytetracycline spray was then applied topically. The giraffe was also administered with Amoxicillin antibiotics and Flunixin meglumine anti-inflammatories all given parenterally. Prognosis She was one her feet 1.5 minutes after reversal, much relieved and joined the rest of the giraffes.
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Case 5 – 26th March 2022 Zebra
Snared
Olarro Conservancy
This zebra was seen with a raw wound round her neck by Elephant Aware Rangers while on their daily patrols. This looked like an embedded snare. She was found grazing with her foal amidst a number of zebras. The wound could be seen from a distance and the team decided to immobilize her for further examination.
Immobilisation, examination and treatment Restraint was achieved by use of a combination of 5mgs Etorphine and 50mgs Azaperone delivered through a 1.5ml dan-inject dart from a vehicle. It took eight minutes for the drugs to take full effect whereupon she was covered with blindfold. Examination revealed a wound round her neck which was beginning to heal. This was caused by a snare which had since fallen off. The wound was cleaned with copious amount of water and disinfected with tincture of Iodine before Oxytetracycline was applied. Other treatments given include parenteral administration of Amoxicillin antibiotics and Flunixin meglumine anti-inflammatories. Prognosis After the drugs were reversed, she galloped off to re-join her foal and the other zebras. Prognosis is good.
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Case 6 – 27th March 2022 Elephant
Natural Causes
Olare Orok Conservancy
This big bull was seen having difficulties walking by Olare Motorogi Conservancy Rangers. The Unit found him browsing a few meters away from a bigger herd of elephants. He had difficulties walking and appeared to be favouring his left forelimb. He tried to avoid putting weight on this limb as much as possible. Immobilisation, examination and treatment The bull was darted from a vehicle with 18mgs Etorphine hydrochloride The drugs took full effect after eight minutes and he assumed right lateral recumbency. Examination revealed a swollen left sole without any visible injury. Careful examination did not reveal any lodged foreign object. Aspiration with a fine needle yielded extra- vasculated blood. This was a forming haematoma. This elephant could have stepped on a semi sharp rock with force causing injury of soft tissues underneath without breakage of the sole. The area where the elephants were found was rocky. He was given long acting Oxytetracycline antibiotics and Flunixin meglumine anti-inflammatories parenterally. Prognosis He got up four minutes after the anaesthetic was reversed, moved briefly before continuing to browse. Prognosis is good.