SWT/KWS MERU MOBILE VETERINARY UNIT MARCH 2022
Introduction
5 Cases in March
3 Giraffe Cases
80% Success
March Report by Dr. Aminga Duncan The month of March remained dry with moderate temperatures; a sign that the area may experience rains in the coming month of April. Despite the low precipitation levels, there still existed adequate forage and water from the permanent rivers that meander through the Meru ecosystem. The availability of water and food saw animals with a good body condition being sighted across the Meru ecosystem. During the month, the Meru Mobile Veterinary team attended to 5 cases, including an autopsy of an elephant carcass suspected to have suffered a fight wound, treatment of a giraffe bull for a cranial wound and treatment of a female Grevy zebra for a failed predatory attack in the Meru National Park. In addition, the Vet team attended to a giraffe bull for a wire snare in Garissa area and another for mange in Wajir all with a good prognosis. Acknowledgement The effective undertaking of the different veterinary interventions by the Meru Mobile Veterinary Unit was possible due to the support enjoyed from The Sheldrick Wildlife Trust. It is through such timely interventions, that see wild animals freed from pain, suffering and remain in good health. The Unit also appreciates support from Kenya Wildlife Service through the Senior Assistant Director Eastern Conservation Area and the Head of KWS Veterinary Department.
Case Details Date
Species
Area Found
9-Mar-22
Elephant
Imenti Forest Meru National Park Meru National Park
Reason for Intervention
Outcome
Postmortem
Examination revealed an abscess on the left flank proximal to the hip joint with no other skin damages seen
Died
Natural Causes
A male giraffe with one horn and a septic cranial wound
Successfully Treated
Natural Causes
A female Grevy Zebra with a wound to the right rump
Successfully Treated
16-Mar-22
Giraffe
16-Mar-22
Zebra
20-Mar-22
Giraffe
Garissa
Snared
The giraffe was found trailing a wire snare about 2 metres long
Successfully Treated
Giraffe
Wajir, Samburu
Natural Causes
He was noted to have skin crusts on the inner thighs, perineal area, brisket and around the muzzle.
Successfully Treated
28-Mar-22
SWT/KWS Meru Mobile Vet Unit Treatment Locations March 2022
Case 1 – 9th March 2022 Elephant
Post-mortem
Lower Imenti Forest
The Meru Mobile Vet Unit received a report from a KWS team in Ruiri of an elephant carcass sighted in lower Imenti forest. To ascertain the cause of death, the team drove to the area to perform an autopsy. Post-mortem Findings The elephant carcass was found lying on its right side with substantial activity on the surrounding flora being noted. Examination of the cutaneous system revealed an abscess on the left flank proximal to the hip joint with no other skin damages being seen. Upon skinning, copious amount of pus gushed out of the abscess revealing a penetrating wound to the kidneys suspected to have been inflicted by another bull during a fight. The kidneys were congested with marked nephritis being noted. The intestines were empty, an indication that the elephant bull had not fed well during the period before death. Marked enteritis was also noted. Cause of Death The pathological findings pointed to septicaemia that led to septic shock thus causing death. Sepsis is a clinical syndrome characterized by an excessive and dysregulated response to infections, often leading to multiorgan failure and death. Its onset and evolution over time is dependent on both pathogen factors such as microbial species & load and host factors such as sex and age.
Case 2 – 16th March 2022 Giraffe
Natural Causes
Meru National Park
While on their normal patrol, the Meru Vet Team came across a male giraffe with one horn and a septic cranial wound with pus trickling down the frontal part of the head. This prompted for an immediate veterinary intervention to avoid a progressive sepsis.
Immobilisation, examination and treatment The Giraffe bull was approached and darted from a vehicle with 14mg Etorphine and 30mg Xylazine. He achieved full immobilization after 15 minutes and was brought down with ropes. To manage thermoregulation, he was doused with water to help cool him off. The bull was noted to have a single horn and a septic wound at the frontal bones that was heavily infested with maggots. The wound was cleaned with water and the maggots manually removed, before being debrided with Hydrogen peroxide and flushed with Iodine. The wound was parked with green clay and covered with Alamycin spray. He was administered with anti-inflammatories and antibiotics before the anaesthetic was reversed. Prognosis The prognosis for recovery is good.
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Case 3 – 16th March 2022 Zebra
Natural Causes
Meru National Park
After attending to the giraffe bull, the Meru Vet Unit received a report of a female Grevy zebra with a wound to the right rump sighted a few kilometres from the giraffe’s location. The endangered Grevy’s zebras have undergone one of the most substantial reductions of range of any African mammal. Their major threats are habitat loss, poaching for meat, disease and drought. Immobilisation, examination and treatment The Vet prepared a dart combining 6mg of Etorphine and 60 mg Xylazine. The zebra was approached and darted from a vehicle with the dart landing on the thigh muscle. She achieved full immobilization after 10 minutes and went down on left lateral recumbency. The wound was debrided with Hydrogen peroxide, flushed with a tincture of Iodine and covered with green clay. Alamycin spray was applied to the wound to cover for bacterial infection and keep away flies. She was administered with antibiotics, anti-inflammatories and metabolic stimulators. 4mls of Ivermectin were administered subcutaneously to manage gastrointestinal parasites. Prognosis A good prognosis for recovery is indicated.
Case 4 – 20th March 2022 Giraffe
Snare
Garissa
Wire snares form part of the means poachers use to trap animals and can cause high degree injuries and distress to the trapped animals as was the case for this giraffe bull reported by KWS in Garissa area.
Immobilisation, examination and treatment The giraffe was found to be amidst other bulls and trailing a wire snare about 2 metres long. He was isolated by a vehicle and darted with a combination of 14mg Etorphine and 30mg Xylazine but didn’t go down. A second dart was prepared combining 15mg Etorphine and 25mg Xylazine and placed on his right shoulder. Full immobilization was achieved after 10 minutes, with the giraffe bull being brought down with ropes. He was pinned down and restrained manually after blindfolding. Water was poured on him to aid in thermoregulation while the vet performed a physical examination. The wire snare at the fetlock of the right hindleg was loosened and cut off with a wire cutter and antibiotic spray applied since it had not burrowed into the flesh. Prognosis The bull was administered with metabolic stimulators and released. He rose up, full of relief and scampered away. The prognosis is good. .
Case 5 – 28th March 2022 Giraffe
Natural Causes
Wajir Station Offices
A sub-adult male giraffe was reported to have a diffuse crusting of the skin by the Warden KWS- Wajir Station to the Meru Mobile Vet Unit. The Vet team drove to Wajir station to examine the giraffe and perform the needed veterinary intervention.
Immobilisation, examination and treatment A dart combining 9mg Etorphine and 25mg Azaperone was prepared by the Vet. The giraffe was darted from foot with the tranquilizer dart landing well on the right shoulder. Full immobilization was achieved after 7 minutes and he went down on right lateral recumbency. A blindfold was put in place and the anaesthesia was reversed with 30mg Diprenorphine. The giraffe was manually restrained during the examination. He was noted to have skin crusts on the inner thighs, perineal area, brisket and around the muzzle caused by mange. These were cleaned with Iodine and covered with antibiotic spray. Parenteral administration of systemic antibiotics, Ivermectin and metabolic stimulants was done before releasing the giraffe bull. Prognosis He rose up and ponderously walked to nearby trees. The prognosis is favourable. .