SWT/KWS MERU MOBILE VETERINARY UNIT DECEMBER 2021
Introduction
8 Cases in December
5 Poaching Cases
4 Elephant Cases
December Report by Dr. Ndambiri Ephantus Despite rain delay during this rainy season, the Eastern Conservation Area is flourishing with rich vegetation following speedy regeneration after fairly good rains. We are optimistic that the vegetation so far generated will continue supporting healthy and viable wildlife populations within the ecosystem. During December the Unit attended to 8 veterinary cases including 3 snared animals; 1 elephant, 1 giraffe and 1 zebra as well as an elephant post-mortem, which revealed the animal died from a spear injury, and the treatment of a bull with 2 bullet wounds. The Unit also participated in an elephant rescue but sadly the calf didn’t make it to the orphanage as it was too weak. A zebra was treated for natural causes, as was a black rhino which suffered injuries during a territorial fight with a particularly aggressive older male, unfortunately the rhino was given a poor prognosis due to the severity of the injuries. Acknowledgement The unrelenting patronage offered by Sheldrick Wildlife Trust and the partners continues to be realized. It is through the above that interventions were successfully carried out. Wildlife continues to enjoy freedom from suffering and are in good health as a result. Other conservation partners from the local community, corporates and non-governmental organizations cannot be forgotten in their support towards the Unit.
Case Details Date
Species
Area Found
Reason for Intervention
Outcome
13-Dec-21
Elephant
Meru Environs
Spear
The adult female was found dead by the community near a seasonal stream
Poaching Death
16-Dec-21
Elephant
Imenti Forest
Rescue
A female elephant calf about three years old was found recumbent with no visible injury.
Died
17-Dec-21
Elephant
Meru NP
Snared
The animal had a scar from what appeared to be a healed snare wound around the neck
Successfully Treated
19-Dec-21
Elephant
Loldaiga Ranch
Bullet Wound
Two narrow penetrating bullet wounds were found and treated
Prognosis Poor
21-Dec-21
Zebra
Laikipia Environs
Snared
It had a thin wedge snare wire at right fetlock joint that was embedded in the flesh
Successfully Treated
21-Dec-21
Zebra
Laikipia Environs
Natural Causes
Wound caused by trauma inflicted by thickets or fence posts
Successfully Treated
22-Dec-21
Rhino Black
Ol Jogi Ranch
Natural Causes
The rhino had two puncture wounds caused by another male adult rhino
Prognosis Poor
22-Dec-21
Giraffe
El karama Ranch
Snared
The plain single snare wire loop was loosened and taken off the limb
Successfully Treated
24-Dec-21
Rhino White
Borana Ranch
Rescue
Severely lame unable to keep up with mother
Taken to Orphanage
SWT/KWS Meru Mobile Vet Unit Treatment Locations December 2021
Case 1 – 13th December 2021 Elephant
Spear
Meru Environs
The adult female was found dead by the community near seasonal stream. The KWS Ruiri PAC Team was notified who reported the matter to Meru Mobile Vet Unit. Immobilisation, examination and treatment The carcass was found on right recumbence at the edge of the flowing seasonal stream. Trophies had already been recovered by the PAC Team. There was a foul smell emanating from the anal orifice distinguishable from fecal smell. A penetrating wound was discovered at the mid spine to the right about ten centimetres laterally. The wound led straight inside and upon being tracked, copious amount of foul-smelling creamy fluid oozed out with shreds of fibrin. The dorsal colon loop had been pierced pouring intestinal content into abdominal cavity. Build-up of fibrin material from internal bleeding attaching onto intestine and abdominal cavity were retrieved. The torn intestine had begun to necrotize spreading heavily both caudally and anteriorly. Cause of Death The penetrating wound is thought to have been inflicted by a sharp object like a spear. Similar incidences have been encountered in the area as poaching attempts. Usually the injury is fatal shortly after as they strike the chest cavity. In this particular case the animal took time to die and got a fair distance away before peritonitis eventually caused septicaemia and eventual death.
Case 2 – 16th December 2021 Elephant
Rescue
Lower Imenti Forest
A female elephant calf about three years old was found recumbent with no visible injury. A medical examination revealed the elephant was severely debilitated and needed care in a captive facility. To stabilize the calf a single pint of Hartman’s followed by Saline and later Dextrose were infused in each via ear vein. Blood pressure, vocalization, ear/limb/eye movement, breathing and consciousness improved remarkably. However, whilst on route to the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust Nursery, the calf succumbed.
Post-mortem and Cause of Death There was inflammation of the liver and bile ducts indicating Cholangiohepatitis as cause of death. Hepatitis is defined as any inflammatory cell infiltrate within the hepatic parenchyma. Cholangiohepatitis is a sporadic cause of liver (hepatic) failure both in ruminants and horses. Bacteremia, due to an organism (eg. Salmonella) eliminated in the bile, or an ascending infection of biliary tract affect intestinal disturbance and are thought to be related to the development of cholangiohepatitis. Abscesses are associated with bacteremia, septic portal vein thrombosis, parasite migration or extension from intestinal disease. In neonates and young animals, abscesses may develop secondary to ascarid/worm migration, bacterial septicaemia, or ascending infection of the umbilical vein.
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Case 3 – 17th December 2021 Elephant
Snare
Rhino Sanctuary, Meru National Park
While on normal patrol within the Rhino Sanctuary the Meru Mobile Vet Unit came across an adult elephant holding its’ head tacked downward appearing rigid. There was a bump just in front of the withers which could not be well examined to determine its’ status. A need to immobilize and observe was paramount. Immobilisation, examination and treatment It was sedated with 20mgs Etorphine from a vehicle. It was completely sedated, assuming right recumbence, after eleven minutes. The left ear was used as blindfold. Water was generously poured on the skin to keep the animal cool. Upon examination it was obvious that the animal had generated a scar from what appeared to be a traumatic wound around the neck, possibly from snare. It had healed assuming abnormal contour/anatomy resulting in the rigid head holding. The bump was palpated and aspirated but yielded no exudate, meaning the wound was fully healed. The dart wound was infiltrated with Cloxacilin antibiotic cream after retrieving the dart. There was no other treatment offered Prognosis Prognosis is good as the injury has healed and the elephant has managed to live with the deformity.
Case 4 – 19th December 2021 Elephant
Bullet Wound
Lol Daiga, Laikipia
The adult elephant was spotted unwillingly to move and exhibiting severe lameness of the left hind limb.. Immobilisation, examination and treatment The elephant was darted with 18mgs Etorphine from foot because of the thick thickets. It fell on the left side so to achieve effective observation of the lame leg it was flipped to the right side with a vehicle. Two narrow penetrating wounds were established. One was to the left rump heading downward and posteriorly. This was thought to be the cause of the knee swelling and severe lameness of the left hind limb. The other was at mid spine heading downward. They were both septic, yielding creamy thick pus, and probed for a foreign object but none were found. Both wounds were disinfected with Hydrogen Peroxide and Iodine, infiltrated with green clay and superficially sprayed with Tetracycline wound spray. The elephant was also administered 100ml Enrolfloxacin, 100ml Flunixin Meglumine and 50ml Multivitamin. Prognosis Prognosis is guarded as the extent of damage as a result of the two shots could not exactly be established. The prognosis will be reviews after ten days. In the meantime, monitoring was advised. However, a follow up on the 21st revealed the elephant had crossed the fence into the community side and had not been found.
Case 5 – 21st December 2021 Zebra
Snare
Jua Kali, Laikipia
The snared zebra was reported by KWS PAC Team at Umande Station. The zebra was in the company of two other males. It had a thin wedge snare wire around the right fetlock joint which was completely embedded in the flesh following healing. It was only visible as the knot was about 15cm above the flesh. Severe lameness was depicted as animal ambulated. Immobilisation, examination and treatment The zebra was darted from a vehicle with a Dan-inject dart loaded with 5mg Etorphine and 60mg Azaperone. The animal was startled but calmed down in 3 minutes and was completely immobilised within 6 minutes. The knot was loosened after using pliers to remove it from flesh. The loose piece was pulled through the loose knot and carefully the whole wire was pulled out of flesh. The wound was cleaned with Hydrogen Peroxide and Iodine. It was liberally sprayed with Oxytetracycline (Alamycin) wound spray. The zebra was then administered with intramuscular injections of 500mg Enrofloxacin, 10mg Dexamethasone, 10ml Multivitamin and a subcutaneous injection of 20mg Ivermectin. A pour on was also done of 20ml Flumethrin. Prognosis He walked into the thickets 3 minutes after the anaesthetic was reversed with a marked improvement in gait.
Case 6 – 21st December 2021 Zebra
Natural Causes
Jua Kali, Laikipia
The adult male was in the company of the above de-snared zebra. It had a raw wound at the right armpit. It was treated after de-snaring its’ counterpart. The wound was oozing bloody exudate due to constant friction experienced during ambulation. This could have been caused by trauma inflicted by thickets or fence posts.
Immobilisation, examination and treatment The zebra was darted from a vehicle with 5mgs Etorphine and 60mgs Azaperone; complete sedation was achieved after seven minutes. It was blindfolded and the dart retrieved followed by infiltration of Cloxacilin cream into dart wound. The wound was cleaned with Hydrogen Peroxide and Iodine then covered in wet green clay and sprayed with Tetracycline wound spray. It was injected with 15ml Enrofloxacin, 6ml Flunixin and15ml Catosal into muscles at different sites. Reversal and Prognosis It was injected with 18mgs Diprenorphine into jugular vein and was completely up in three minutes and ran away. The prognosis is good.
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Case 7 – 22nd December 2021 Black Rhino
Natural Causes
Ol Jogi Ranch
The adult male was reported lame and exuding blood from the left forelimb by the Ol jogi Manager. The rhino had two puncture wounds, one just below the elbow about 25cm deep upwards and another below metacarpus about 15cm deep posteriorly. Both were on the lateral side of the left forelimb. It was reported to have been fought by a male adult rhino commonly known to fight others fatally. Immobilisation, examination and treatment The rhino was darted from a helicopter with 4mg Etorphine and 80mgs Azaperone. Unfortunately, the first dart bounced off but 20 minutes later a second dart was fired and the rhino was completely immobilized after seven minutes. The wounds were fresh and were disinfected with Hydrogen Peroxide and Iodine. Wet green clay was infiltrated into the dead pockets of the wounds, then they were sprayed with Tetracycline wound spray. The zebra was also administered with 25ml Enrolfloxacin, 30ml Flunixin and 20ml Catosal. Prognosis and Recommendation This remains guarded as internal injuries could not be ruled out. A review will be conducted in ten days and in the meantime the rhino will be continuously monitored. The ‘Fighter’ needs to be translocated to another area within the Conservancy or elsewhere as it has been involved in fatally fighting two other rhinos in 2020. A request to that effect has been made by the Ol jogi Administration to prevent further fatal territorial fights.
Case 8 – 22nd December 2021 Giraffe
Snare
El Karama, Laikipia
This adult male was spotted by the security team with a snare around the right hind fetlock. There was no lameness or resultant traumatic wound. It was de-snared after treating the wounded Ol jogi black rhino.
Immobilisation, examination and treatment A dart composed of 15mgs Etorphine and 25mgs Azaperone was placed in the right shoulder using a daninject rifle from a vehicle. It was completely immobilised, assuming right lateral recumbence, after 8 minutes. It was pinned down and restrained manually after blindfolding. The plain single snare wire loop was loosened and taken off the limb. As the snare had not caused any injury and the animal was in good health, no treatment was necessary. Reversal and Prognosis The anaesthetic was reversed as soon as the animal went down with 45mgs Diprenorphine injected into jugular vein. The animal was then manually restrained during the exercise. Once the restraint was released, the giraffe got up immediately. The prognosis is good.
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Case 9 – 24th December 2021 White Rhino
Rescue
Borana Wildlife Conservancy
This male calf, about 4 months old, was in the company of the mother. It was severely lame and unable to keep up with mother pace, spending most of the time lying down. Rescue A decision to rescue the calf for hand rearing was made instantly after examination. The calf was almost completely recumbent and could hardly bear weight on left hind limb. This required around the clock care. It was decided to be taken to Sheldrick Wildlife Trust Nursery in Nairobi via a caravan airplane. The mother was driven away with vehicles then the calf was caught manually, and all the limbs except the lame one, were roped. It was loaded into an open pick up and taken to Borana air strip and loaded onto the aircraft. It was injected with 30mgs Azaperone to keep him calm. It was collected from Wilson airstrip, Nairobi, taken to the Nursery and placed in a stockade. It was monitored throughout by the vet. An x-ray was advised to establish lame limb integrity. It was injected with 5ml Flunixin, 25ml Enrofloxacin and 20ml Multivitamin. It was then left to calm down over night under observation by the nursery crew. Prognosis and Recommendation This remains guarded until after x-ray to verify the extent of the injury and revise accordingly