SWT/KWS MERU MOBILE VETERINARY UNIT SEPTEMBER 2022
2 Cases in September 1 HWC Case 1 Elephant Case
September Report
by Dr. Aminga Duncan
The lush green vegetation that characterizes the Meru ecosystem has been stifled by the prevailing drought. Formerly plentiful grasslands have become barren fields with gaunt termite cathedrals leaving riverine vegetation as the only sustenance for wildlife
In September 2022, the Meru Mobile Veterinary Unit attended to 2 cases. The first case was a giraffe bull with a front right limb articular fracture while the second case was an elephant bull with a spear lodged into its left flank. Sadly, the animals in both cases were gravely injured, both animals passed away during treatment.
Acknowledgement
Case Details
Date
The Meru Mobile Veterinary Unit is grateful for the funding being received from Sylvie Chantecaille through Sheldrick Wildlife Trust. The Unit also appreciates support from other conservation partners, local communities and Kenya Wildlife Service through the Senior Assistant Director Eastern Conservation Area and the Head KWS Veterinary Department Species Area Found Reason for Intervention Outcome
08 Sep 2022 Giraffe Meru Rhino Sanctuary Meru N.P. Natural Causes Poor body condition and walking with difficulty. Died 22 Sep 2022 Elephant Lokuku Area Oldonyiro Spear Spear lodged into the left flank area. Died
Introduction
September 2022
SWT/KWS Meru Mobile Vet Unit Treatment Locations
While on routine Park patrol, the vet unit came across a lone giraffe bull at a riverbank a few metres from the Meru Rhino Sanctuary fence line. The bull had been treated in May an infected wound and had been healing well. However, on this occasion, the giraffe was noted to have drastically lost body condition and it had trouble walking.
Immobilisation, examination and treatment
The giraffe attempted to cross the nearby river as it was approached by vehicle. It was unable to get across due to the leg injury and it fell in. The vet unit quickly took down a section of the fence to gain access to the giraffe which was pulled out of the river with straps secured to a Landcruiser
Sadly, due to old age, exhaustion and poor body condition, the giraffe passed away during treatment. An autopsy was carried out thereafter revealed that its difficulties in ambulation were due to an articular fracture sustained at the wrist joint of the right forelimb. This resulted in damage to the joint cartilages and other joint tissues leading to walking difficulties, poor feeding and the significant loss in body condition.
Case 1 08th September 2022
Giraffe Natural Causes Meru Rhino Sanctuary – Meru N.P.
Elephant Spear Lokuku Area Oldonyiro
This case of an elephant bull with a spear lodged in the left flank area was reported by Julia Francombe It was suspected that the elephant was speared during a human wildlife conflict incident.
Immobilisation, examination and treatment
The elephant was darted from a vehicle with 20 mg Etorphine and was recumbent after 12 minutes. The bull was quickly secured and carefully repositioned with the aid of a Landcruiser to facilitate access to the left flank. The spear was then carefully pulled out. Evaluation of the depth of the penetrating wound, led the vet to suspect that vital organs were injured. The wound was cleaned with water, dead tissues was debrided then the wound was infiltrated with Hydrogen peroxide/Iodine/Oxytetracycline pessaries and covered with green clay. The elephant developed anaesthesia complications during treatment and went into shock. This was countered by administration of 40mg of Dexamethasone sodium and 30mg of Butorphanol which saw his vital parameters stabilize. However, the elephant’s ocular membranes begun getting pale and respiration also begun dropping again, this prompted immediate anaesthesia reversal. The elephant recovered from anaesthesia, but it was too weak to rise. Efforts to assist the elephant to rise were unsuccessful, and it passed away a short while thereafter.
Case 2 22nd September 2022
