SWT/KWS MARA MOBILE VETERINARY UNIT DECEMBER 2021
Introduction
5 Cases in December
1 Poaching Case
3 Elephant Cases
December Report by Dr. Campaign Limo The period under review remained dry with forage and water for wildlife utilization diminishing. Most wildlife were found in riverine areas where there is still some good vegetation for herbivores and water for their use. Cases attended to include a young black rhino male involved in a territorial conflict with an older male in Mara Triangle leading to his death. A post-mortem carried out confirmed this rhino died after being fatally pierced by the big male as well as an elephant rescue, treatment of 2 elephants, 1 for a spear the other for an arrow wound, and the treatment of an injured lion. Acknowledgement The Mara Mobile Veterinary Unit is grateful to all stakeholders who helped in one way or the other by reporting and monitoring cases that required intervention. Many thanks to Elizabeth Scarlett for their support through the Sheldrick Trust, which facilitates the Unit's operations. Thanks too to KWS management for their technical support to the unit. Merry Christmas and happy New Year 2022 to all friends of conservation.
Case Details Date
Species
Area Found
Reason for Intervention
3-Dec-21
Rhino Black
Mara Triangle
Postmortem
3-Dec-21
Elephant
Masai Mara NR
Rescue
6-Dec-21
Lion
Masai Mara NR
Natural Causes
6-Dec-21
Elephant
Siana Conservancy
Natural Causes
14-Dec-21
Elephant
Mara North Conservancy
Arrow
In an attempt to establish a territory, he frequently had fierce encounters with a dominant male and died from those injuries This tiny calf was abandoned and found wandering alone by the Masai Mara National Rangers. They monitored him for three days but he didn’t reunite with his herd This lion, a member of the famous ‘black rock’ pride was involved in a fight with one of his elder brothers sustaining some injuries Examination revealed a big wound on his left rump likely caused by a strong blow from a semi-sharp object Examination revealed an arrowhead sticking out of his forehead which could have been there for about one week
Outcome Died
Taken to Orphanage Successfully Treated Successfully Treated Successfully Treated
SWT/KWS Mara Mobile Vet Unit Treatment Locations December 2021
Case 1 – 3rd December 2021 Black Rhino
Post-mortem
Mara Triangle, Masai Mara
This adult male ‘Turbi’ was initially a resident of Masai Mara National Reserve but crossed the river to the Mara Triangle a few months ago. To establish a territory, it is reported he frequently had fierce encounters with a dominant male in the area. He was seen in good condition for the last time on 1st December, only to be found dead on the morning of 3rd in the middle of the Conservancy in a shallow dry well. Post-mortem examination The carcass was found intact on left lateral recumbency with both horns present, in good condition before death (4.5 on a scale of 1-5) and had been ear-notched allowing for quick identification. There was evidence of a slight struggle at the scene. The carcass was severely bloated with rectal prolapse due to gastrointestinal gas pressure. This was an expected post-mortem change. The carcass was estimated as 24 hours old. There was clotted blood around the nostrils and mouth, several bruises, especially to the right flank and several shallow wounds around his perineal area. Another shallow wound was found on his left lower eyelid. There was a deep penetrating wound on the inner side of his right shoulder with a smooth round edge. There was another deep penetrating wound on his left flank close to an old-healed scar. This wound had a rough edge. The entire gastrointestinal tract appeared bloated with a lot of accumulated gas. The small and large intestinal showed signs of petechiae, the liver was severely congested, both lungs appeared congested and haemorrhagic, the spleen and kidneys were normal in appearance and texture. The wound on the right shoulder was deep but did not go beyond the shoulder muscles. The perineal and left lower eyelid wounds were superficial and did not go beyond subcutis. The deep penetrating wound on the left flank went all the way to the stomach with ingesta seeping into the peritoneal space. There was severe peritoneal contamination with ingesta freely seeping into peritoneum. Prognosis This rhino died due to complications from injuries inflicted on his body with the injury to the right flank proving fatal as it caused a gastric puncture leading to peritoneal contamination. This ultimately caused acute peritonitis and eventual death of this rhino. The injuries appeared to have been caused by territorial fights as the big male inflicted deep horn injuries on this young male.
Case 2 – 3rd December 2021 Elephant
Rescue
Masai Mara National Reserve
This tiny calf was seen abandoned and wandering alone by the Masai Mara National Reserve Rangers on their daily patrols. They monitored him for three days but his herd did not come back to collect him. His body condition was deteriorating quickly and given that it was evident his mother was not coming back for him, the Reserve Management with the Mobile Veterinary Team on the ground came to an agreement this young calf needed to be rescued. Rescue The Veterinary Unit together with Mara National Reserve senior managers and Mara Elephant project teams found this calf recumbent, weak and severely dehydrated. This was a clear case of abandonment and severe starvation given at this age he is fully dependent on his mother’s milk. A quick decision was made to ferry him to the Sheldrick elephant orphanage in Nairobi using a helicopter to not waste any time in getting this calf the medical care and nutrition it needed.
Case 3 – 6th December 2021 Lion
Natural Causes
Masai Mara National Reserve
This lion, a member of the famous ‘Black Rock’ pride was involved in a fight with one of his elder brothers and sustained some injuries. He stayed in place for three days prompting the Reserve Management to call the Unit. He was found hiding under a small shrub. On agitation, he moved with slight difficulty. He had a fight wound on his right knee which appeared painful and caused him difficulties while walking. Immobilisation, examination and treatment The lion was approached with a vehicle and darted with a combination of 3.2mgs Medetomidine and 200mgs Ketamine hydrochloride. He became fully anaesthetized after ten minutes. A blindfold was put in place then he moved to a shady area. Examination revealed an open wound caused by a fight with another lion, most likely caused by a claw. No other injury was detected, and the pain could have caused him to stay at this point for this long. The wound was cleaned with water and disinfected with Iodine before it was stitched with appropriate suture material. He was also administered with Amoxicillin antibiotics and Dexamethasone sodium anti-inflammatories. Prognosis The anaesthetic was reversed and he got up and relaxed in the shade. Prognosis is good.
Case 4 – 6th December 2021 Elephant
Natural Causes
Siana Conservancy, Masai Mara
This elephant was seen by Rangers with an injury on his back with the skin partly sloughing off. This elephant had taken refuge in a bushy and rocky hill in a community area. Due to the difficult terrain, helicopter services were sought and after several minutes of searching, he was spotted at the edge of the hill. Immobilisation, examination and treatment The elephant was away from the rocky areas with the helicopter then darted with 18mgs Etorphine hydrochloride. It took seven minutes for the drugs to take full effect with this elephant assuming sternal recumbency after which he was pushed to lie on his right side. Examination revealed a big wound on his left rump. The skin was hanging at the cranial edge of the wound. The injury was not deep but very wide. Maggots were found at the edge of the wound which was becoming septic. The hanging skin was trimmed and all necrotic tissues removed with Hydrogen peroxide. All maggots were removed manually, then the wound was rinsed with water, disinfected with Iodine sprayed with Oxytetracycline and packed with green clay. Amoxicillin antibiotics and flunixin anti-inflammatories were also administered. It is thought this elephant slid down a rock with a semi sharp rock causing this injury. Prognosis The avourable. It will take some time before this elephant fully recovers but eventually will.
Case 5 – 14th December 2021 Elephant
Arrow
Mara North Conservancy
This elephant was seen mid-morning with an arrowhead stuck in his forehead by the Mara Elephant Project Monitoring team. The Unit found the elephant browsing in a relatively open area in a herd of around 20 elephants. An arrowhead could be seen sticking out from his forehead with whitish discharge. Immobilisation, examination and treatment Restraint was achieved chemically with 17mgs Etorphine hydrochloride. It took seven minutes for the drugs to take full effect after which he fell on left lateral recumbency. Examination revealed an arrowhead sticking out of his forehead which could have been there for about one week. The barbed arrowhead was gently pulled back, and the resultant septic wound cleaned and debrided with Hydrogen peroxide. After rinsing with clean water, tincture of Iodine was applied for disinfection. Other treatments given included Amoxicillin antibiotics and Flunixin meglumine anti-inflammatory, both administered intramuscularly. Reversal and Prognosis The anaesthetic was reversed with 150mgs Naltrexone given intravenously through a prominent ear vein. He rose up in three minutes to join the rest of the herd. Prognosis is good.