SWT/KWS MT KENYA MOBILE VETERINARY UNIT DECEMBER 2021
Introduction
13 Cases in December
3 Lions Collared
69% Success
December Report by Dr. Dominic Mijele During the month of December 2021, the Mt Kenya Wildlife Veterinary unit attended to wildlife emergency cases that required veterinary intervention in the Laikipia ecosystem and Mt. Kenya region. Some of the wildlife cases attended to include treatment of mountain bongos for hoof injuries and other illnesses at Mt. Kenya wildlife Conservancy, de-snaring of a grevy’s zebra at Mpala Ranch, and translocation of warthogs, impalas and Thompson gazelles from Ol Pejeta and Solio ranch to Ngawa ranch in Nyeri, the rescue of an orphaned elephant calf from Oldonyiro, post-mortem of a white rhino and the collaring of 3 lions. Acknowledgement We highly acknowledge Sheldrick Wildlife Trust (SWT) for their continued support that has enabled the Mt Kenya Unit team to offer treatment to all wildlife cases that required veterinary intervention.
Case Details Date Date
7-Dec-21 7-Dec-21 8-Dec-21 8-Dec-21 8-Dec-21
Species Species
Antelope
Kenya NR Ol Mount Pejeta Antelope Other Kenya NR Conservancy Zebra Other
9-Dec-21 Antelope 8-Dec-21 Zebra 9-Dec-21 Antelope 9-Dec-21 Antelope Rhino 9-Dec-21 White 9-Dec-21 Antelope 10-Dec-21 Zebra 9-Dec-21 10-Dec-21
Rhino Lion White
10-Dec-21 10-Dec-21
Lion Zebra
11-Dec-21 10-Dec-21
Lion Lion
11-Dec-21 10-Dec-21
Zebra Lion
16-Dec-21
Elephant
11-Dec-21 Lion 18-Dec-21 Antelope 11-Dec-21
Area Found Area Mount Found
Zebra
Reason for Intervention Natural Causes Natural Relocation Causes
Ol Pejeta Solio Ranch Relocation Relocation Conservancy Ol Pejeta Relocation Conservancy Solio Ranch Relocation Ol Pejeta Relocation Conservancy Ol Pejeta Relocation Conservancy PostSolio Ranch mortem Ol Pejeta Relocation Natural Conservancy Kirimon Causes PostMugie Solio Ranch Collared mortem Ranch Mugie Natural Collared Kirimon Ranch Causes Mugie Mugie Collared Collared Ranch Ranch Mpala Snared Mugie Ranch Collared Ranch Oldonyiro Rescue Mugie Collared Mount Natural Ranch Kenya NR Causes Mpala Snared Ranch
Outcome
Reason for Intervention Outcome Left leg lameness due to a cracked that Successfully caused trauma to the soft tissues Treated Left leg lameness due to a cracked that Successfully Translocated 8 warthogs, 8 zebras, 2 male Task caused trauma to the soft tissues Treated impalas and 1 Thompson’s gazelle Successful Translocated Task Translocated8 8warthogs, warthogs,8 8zebras, zebras,2 2male male Task impalas and 1 Thompson’s gazelle Successful impalas and 1 Thompson’s gazelle Successful Translocated 8 warthogs, 8 zebras, 2 male Task Translocated 8 1warthogs, 8 zebras, 2 male Successful Task impalas and Thompson’s gazelle impalas and 1 Thompson’s gazelle Successful Translocated 8 warthogs, 8 zebras, 2 male Task impalas and Thompson’s gazelle Translocated 8 1warthogs, 8 zebras, 2 male Successful Task impalas and 1 Thompson’s gazelle Successful The carcass was found with intact front and Died rear horns Translocated 8 warthogs, 8 zebras, 2 male Task Had aimpalas complete open compound fracture and 1 Thompson’s gazelle Successful Died of the bones adjacent to the carpal joint The carcass was found with intact front Collaring to monitor lions and reduce theand Task Died rear horns numerous cases of livestock predation Successful Task Had a complete open compound fracture An old collar needed to be removed Died Successful of the bones adjacent to the carpal joint Collaring to monitor lions and reduce the Task Collaring to monitor lions and reduce the Task numerous cases of livestock predation Successful numerous cases of livestock predation Successful Had a wire snare on the right hind leg Successfully Task which caused trauma to to thebesoft tissues Treated An old collar needed removed Successful The elephant was physically restrained and Taken to flown to Nairobi SWT Nursery Collaring tothe monitor lions and reduce the Orphanage Task Thenumerous third eyelidcases prolapse was bilateral with Prognosis of livestock predation Successful marked conjunctivitis on the right eye Poor Had a wire snare on the right hind leg Successfully which caused trauma to the soft tissues Treated
SWT/KWS Mount Kenya Mobile Vet Unit Treatment Locations December 2021
Case 1 – 7th December 2021 Bongo
Natural Causes
Mt Kenya Wildlife Conservancy
A sub-adult female mountain bongo was reported by the Mt. Kenya Wildlife Conservancy team to have lameness with a cracked hoof. Immobilisation, examination and treatment The bongo was easily darted from foot and immobilization was achieved with a dart containing 3mgs Etorphine combined with 40mgs Azaperone. The dart landed on the left rump and the drugs took effect after 6 minutes with the animal going down on left lateral recumbency after which it was physically restrained. The anaesthesia was monitored throughout treatment. The animal was observed to have a supportive leg lameness of the left forelimb and on a closer examination the hoof had a crack that had extended to cause trauma to the adjacent soft tissues which in return inflicted pain to the limb. The hoof was trimmed and the bongo treated with 1000mgs Amoxicillin and 3000mgs Phenylbutazone administered intramuscularly. 20mgs ivermectin was also administered subcutaneously. Prognosis The prognosis was good due to the timely detection and management of the condition.
Case 2,3,4 & 5 – 8th & 9th December 2021 Zebra/Warthog/Impala/Gazelle
Relocation
Ol Pejeta/Solio Ranch
The Mt. Kenya Veterinary Team in conjunction with the Kenya wildlife Capture Unit translocated 8 warthogs, 8 common zebras, 2 male impalas and a male Thompson’s gazelle from Lima shamba, Ol Pejeta and Solio Ranch to Ngawa ranch. Immobilisation and relocation of warthogs One warthog was physically restrained with nets whilst the rest were chemically immobilized with 3mgs Etorphine combined with 20mgs Azaperone The darting was done from a vehicle using a Dan-inject compressed CO2 dart gun. The drugs took on average 4 minutes for the animals to go down. They were then physically restrained, the anaesthesia reversed, and the animals loaded into a lorry for transportation.
Immobilisation and relocation of zebras Th foal was immobilised with 3mgs Etorphine combined with 20mgs Azaperone and the adults with 6mgs Etorphine combined with 60mgs Azaperone. The animals were all darted from a vehicle and the drugs took effect on average within 5 minutes. Once the animals were immobilised, they were loaded onto a lorry for transportation, physically restrained and the anaesthesia reversed. They were then driven to the release site.
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Immobilisation and relocation of Impalas and Gazelles The two impalas were darted from a vehicle with 3mgs Etorphine combined with 20mgs Azaperone placed in a 1.5cc dart syringe fitted with a 2.2×40mm collared needle. The drugs took effect after 5 minutes and the animals went down on sternal recumbency after which they were physically restrained, loaded into the lorry for transportation and the anaesthesia reversed with 12mgs Diprenorphine into the jugular vein. The animals rose after 2 minutes and were successfully released. Immobilisation and relocation of Gazelles Only 1 male Thompson gazelle was relocated during this exercise. The gazelle was approached with a vehicle and using a CO2 Dan-inject dart gun esd immobilised with 3mg Etorphine combined with 20mgs Azaperone. The drugs took effect after 5 minutes and the animal went down on sternal recumbency after which it was loaded into the lorry, physically restrained and the anaesthesia reversed with 12mgs Diprenorphine via the jugular vein. The animal rose after 2 minutes and was successfully released at the release site. Prognosis All 8 warthogs, 8 common zebras, 2 male impalas and 1 Thompson gazelle were released in good health at Ngawa farm.
Case 6 – 9th December 2021 White Rhino
Post-mortem
Solio Wildlife Conservancy
Solio Wildlife Conservancy Security Team found a white rhino carcass in the Mabati area of the Conservancy and reported the case to Mt Kenya Veterinary Unit for a post-mortem examination. Post-mortem Examination The carcass was found lying on right lateral recumbency with intact front and rear horns. The rhino was an adult female but did not have an ear notch for identification. The carcass was completely decomposed, and only the skeleton and dry skin were left. The bones were dry and had detached from each other and lose from the skin. Very few maggots were present which was an indication of a carcass that had stayed for more than 2 ½ months. Tissue samples from the lower hind limb was taken for genetic analysis. No other viable samples could be obtained due to advanced autolysis. Cause of Death The animal died of natural causes due to old age.
Case 7 – 10th December 2021 Zebra
Natural Causes
Kirimon Area
An adult male grevy’s zebra was reported to have a fracture on its left foreleg. The Mt. Kenya veterinary team responded swiftly and handled the case as described in the report below.
Immobilisation and examination The animal was darted with 5mgs Etorphine combined with 60mgs Azaperone in a 1.5ml dart syringe fitted with a 2×40 mm plain needle. Darting was done from foot using a Dan-Inject CO2 dart gun. The dart syringe was delivered on the right neck muscles and the zebra was recumbent 5 minutes later. Examination revealed a complete open compound fracture of the metacarpal bones adjacent to the carpometacarpal joint. Prognosis and Management The severity of the fracture and its proximity to the joint made it impossible to reduce and fix the fracture. Due to this reason the animal was euthanized.
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Case 8, 9 & 10 – 10th & 11th December 2021 Lion
Collaring
Mugie Wildlife Conservancy
Mt. Kenya Veterinary team collared three lions at Mugie Wildlife Conservancy. This was to help in tracking the lions to reduce the cases of livestock predation and human-wildlife conflicts in the area. Immobilisation and collaring All the lions collared were adult females, named Gaby, Lisa and Esmi. All three females were chemically immobilized from a vehicle using a compressed CO2 dart gun with a dart containing 300mgs Ketamine and 8mgs of Medetomidine. The first two lionesses were darted in the left rump muscles and assumed a sternal position after 5 minutes. The dart for the third lioness landed in the neck muscles and she took 7 minutes to become anesthetized. Each animal was immobilized individually before examination and collaring was carried out. Once Gaby and Esmi were fully anaesthetized, they were fitted with collars and a blood sample taken via the great saphenous vein. The second lion, Lisa, had an old collar removed before her blood sample was taken. All blood samples were placed in EDTA and plain blood tubes for laboratory processing. Reversal All three lionesses were reversed 1 hour after darting. Gaby and Lisa were given 18.75mgs Yohimbine and 10mgs Atipamezole and Esmi 20mg Atipamezole administered intramuscularly. Gaby and Esmi rose after 20 minutes, whilst Lisa took 30 minutes to completely recover from the anesthetic.
Case 11 – 11th December 2021 Zebra
Snared
Mpala Wildlife Conservancy
The Mt. Kenya Veterinary Team intervened in a case of a grevy’s zebra with a snare as described in the following report.
Immobilisation, examination and treatment The animal was darted with 5mgs Etorphine combined with 60mgs Azaperone The zebra was darted in the right rump from a vehicle using a Dan-Inject CO2 dart gun. The zebra was recumbent 5 minutes after darting. The animal was blind folded, and the anaesthesia was monitored throughout the treatment. The animal was found to have a wire snare on the right hind leg which had caused trauma to the soft tissues. The wound was cleaned with water, debrided with 10% Hydrogen peroxide and disinfected with tincture of Iodine. It was then sprayed with Oxytetracycline. Tissue samples were taken from the ear and a blood sample was collected from the jugular vein and placed in EDTA coated tubes and plain tubes. The samples were taken for processing for later laboratory analysis. Prognosis The prognosis is good as the wound was detected in time and managed properly. .
Case 12 – 16th December 2021 Elephant
Rescue
Oldonyiro
The report below gives details on how a male elephant calf was rescued by the Mt. Kenya veterinary team from Oldonyiro area to the elephant orphanage at Sheldrick Wildlife Trust in Nairobi. Post-mortem Examination On general observation the animal appeared to be alert, active and energetic. However, he was all alone with no herds nearby and was still milk dependent requiring mothers’ milk to survive. It was decided a rescue was necessary. The elephant was physically restrained and loaded into a helicopter and kept warm during the flight from Oldonyiro area to the SWT elephant orphanage in Nairobi. Prognosis
The elephant was placed in a stockade at the nursery and appeared to still be in good condition. It is hopeful that he will make a full recovery.
Case 13 – 18th December 2021 Bongo
Natural Causes
Mt Kenya Wildlife Conservancy
An adult female mountain bongo was reported by the Mt. Kenya Wildlife Conservancy Security Team to have a prolapsed third eyelid. The condition was a persistent one. Immobilisation, examination and treatment The bongo was darted from foot with 5mgs Etorphine combined with 60mgs Azaperone. The dart landed on the right neck muscles and the drugs took effect after 6 minutes. The animal went down on its left lateral recumbency after which it was physically restrained. The third eyelid prolapse was bilateral with marked conjunctivitis of the right eye and cloudiness of the left eye. There was excessive lacrimation on both eyes. The bongo was treated with 3,000mgs Amoxicillin and 10mgs Dexamethasone administered intramuscularly. 50mgs Ivermectin was also administered subcutaneously. Oxytetracycline eye and Neomycin eye ointments were applied on both eyes. Prognosis The prognosis was guarded as the condition is a recurring one and a surgical third eyelid repositioning would be a more permanent solution.