SWT/KWS MT KENYA MOBILE VETERINARY UNIT JANUARY 2022
Introduction
12 Cases in January
7 Antelope Cases
3 Elephant Cases
January Report by Dr. Dominic Mijele During January 2022, the Mt Kenya Veterinary Unit attended to all reported wildlife cases that required intervention in the Laikipia and Mt. Kenya region. Some of the wildlife veterinary cases attended to include, treatment of various cases affecting mountain bongos, including hoof injuries and relocations, at Mt. Kenya Wildlife Conservancy, rescue of three orphaned elephant calves at Loisaba wildlife Conservancy, rescue of a grevy’s zebra foal at Elkarama wildlife Conservancy and post-mortem of a young White rhino in Solio Ranch. Acknowledgement We highly acknowledge Sheldrick Wildlife Trust (SWT) for their continued support that has enabled the Mt Kenya Veterinary Unit to respond promptly and offer treatment to all wildlife emergency cases. The support from SWT has made it possible for the team to respond and save many wildlives.
Case Details Date
Species
Area Found
5-Jan-22
Antelope
Mt Kenya NP
Natural Causes
It was suspected to be suffering from helminthiasis
Successfully Treated
5-Jan-22
Antelope
Mt Kenya NP
Natural Causes
It was suspected to be suffering from helminthiasis
Successfully Treated
6-Jan-22
Antelope
Mt Kenya NP
Relocation
Relocation of an adult male bongo to a new boma as it was a threat to a new calf
Task Successful
8-Jan-22
Antelope
Mt Kenya NP
Relocation
A male had to be returned to his territory after it escaped
Task Successful
11-Jan-22
Antelope
Mt Kenya NP
Natural Causes
It was in pain due to cracked hooves causing trauma to the adjacent soft tissues
Successfully Treated
12-Jan-22
Rhino White
Solio Ranch
Postmortem
A post-mortem examination on the calf carcass
Died
13-Jan-22
Zebra
El karama Ranch
Rescue
Found alone and at risk of predation so was rescued
Taken to Orphanage
18-Jan-22
Elephant
Loisaba Ranch
Rescue
Found alone with no herd nearby and needed to be rescued
Taken to Orphanage
18-Jan-22
Elephant
Loisaba Ranch
Rescue
The animal appeared to be weak and debilitated and in need of rescue
Taken to Orphanage
18-Jan-22
Elephant
Loisaba Ranch
Rescue
The elephant was alone with extensive wounds around the right armpits
Taken to Orphanage
24-Jan-22
Antelope
Mt Kenya NP
Natural Causes
It was in pain due to cracked hooves causing trauma to the adjacent soft tissues
Successfully Treated
24-Jan-22
Antelope
Mt Kenya NP
Natural Causes
Suspected to have ingested the placenta after birth and was unable to digest it
Successfully Treated
Reason for Intervention
Outcome
SWT/KWS Mount Kenya Mobile Vet Unit Treatment Locations January 2022
Case 1 – 5th January 2022 Bongo
Natural Causes
Mt Kenya Wildlife Conservancy
A female mountain bongo calf was reported by the Mt. Kenya Wildlife Conservancy team to have diarrhoea. It was feeding normally and had good body condition. It was suspected to be suffering from helminthiasis. Immobilisation, examination and treatment As the animal is semi tame and young, it was easily darted from foot using 1mgs Etorphine combined with 10mgs Azaperone. The drug took effect after 5 minutes and the animal was physically restrained then the anaesthesia reversed immediately using 25mgs Naltrexone administered via the jugular vein. The calf had a soiled tail and perineum, a sign of severe watery diarrhoea. It was alert, active and in good body condition with a smooth and bright coat. The calf was treated with 5mls Catasol administered subcutaneously, 2mgs Dexamethasone administered intramuscularly, 10mgs Ivermectin administered subcutaneously and 5mls Enrofloxacin administered intramuscularly. Prognosis The prognosis was good due to the timely detection and management of the condition
Case 2 – 5th January 2022 Bongo
Natural Causes
Mt Kenya Wildlife Conservancy
A female mountain bongo calf was reported by the Mt. Kenya Wildlife Conservancy team to have diarrhoea. It was feeding normally and had good body condition. It was suspected to be suffering from helminthiasis. Immobilisation, examination and treatment Chemical immobilization was achieved using 1mgs of etorphine combined with 10mgs Azaperone. The calf was easily darted from foot using a Dan-inject compressed CO2 dart gun. The drug took effect after 6 minutes then the anaesthetic was reversed with 25mg Naltrexone and the animal restrained manually for examination and treatment. The calf showed signs of severe diarrhoea as its tail and perineum were heavily soiled. However, the calf was alert and active with a smooth coat and in good body condition. The calf was treated with 5ml Catasol administered subcutaneously, 2mgs Dexamethasone administered intramuscularly, 10mgs Ivermectin administered subcutaneously and 5mls Enrofloxacin administered intramuscularly. Prognosis The prognosis was good due to the timely detection and management of the condition
Case 3 – 6th January 2022 Bongo
Relocation
Meru National Park
An adult male mountain bong was moved from Lower Forest to Boma Kubwa sana due to him being a threat to a female mountain bongo with a calf.
Immobilisation, examination and treatment The bongo was darted from foot with 7mgs Etorphine combined with 60mgs Azaperone using a Dan-inject compressed CO2 dart gun. The dart landed in the right rump muscles. The drug took effect after 8 minutes and the animal went down on its left lateral recumbency after which it was physically restrained. The anaesthesia was monitored throughout the relocation and the animal had an average respiratory rate of 12 breaths per minute. Oxygen was also supplied and the correctly head positioned for optimal breathing. Any minor abrasive wounds were sprayed with Oxytetracycline spray. Relocation, revival and prognosis The animal was quickly relocated and the anaesthetic reversed with 175mgs Naltrexone administered via the jugular vein and the animal rose up after 2 minutes. He should be very comfortable in the new location.
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Case 4 – 8th January 2022 Bongo
Relocation
Mt Kenya Wildlife Conservancy
An adult male mountain bongo had moved out of its territory and there was an urgent need to return it back. Immobilisation The bongo was darted from foot into the right rump with 7mgs Etorphine combined with 60mgs Azaperone. The animal was physically restrained for transport once the drugs took effect, which was in about 6 minutes. Relocation Movement and anaesthesia monitoring was done simultaneously and the animal had an average respiratory rate of 12 breaths per minute. The mountain bongo was sprayed using oxytetracycline spray due to the minor abrasive wounds that occurred during physical restrain. The anaesthesia was revered with 175mgs Naltrexone administered via the jugular vein and the animal rose
after 2 minutes.
Case 5 – 11th January 2022 Bongo
Natural Causes
Mt Kenya Wildlife Conservancy
An adult male mountain bongo was reported by the Mt. Kenya wildlife conservancy team to be limping due to a cracked hoof. Immobilisation, examination and treatment Chemical immobilization was achieved by using 7mgs Etorphine combined with 60mgs Azaperone. The animal was then darted from foot with a Dan-inject compressed CO2 dart gun. The dart landed on the right rump muscles and the drugs took effect after 6 minutes. The anaesthetic was monitored, and oxygen also supplied. The head was positioned correctly for optimal breathing. The animal had lameness of the left and right hind limbs as the hooves were cracked. This had caused trauma to the adjacent soft tissues which inflicted pain to the limbs. The bongo was treated with 3,000mgs Amoxicillin and 4,000mgs Phenylbutazone administered intramuscularly. The overgrown hooves were trimmed and the traumatic wounds debrided with 10% Hydrogen peroxide and disinfected with Iodine. Reversal and Prognosis Anaesthesia reversal was achieved with 100mgs Naltrexone and 12mgs Diprenorphine administered via the jugular vein and the animal rose after 2 minutes and should recover well.
Case 6 – 12th January 2022 White Rhino
Post-mortem
Solio Ranch
Solio wildlife Conservancy reported a case of a white rhino calf found dead on the 12th January 2022. Mt. Kenya Veterinary Team performed a post-mortem examination to determine the possible cause of death. Post-mortem examination • • •
The carcass was found lying on left lateral recumbency with intact skin, horns and hooves The body condition was fairly poor with a score of 3 out of 5 due to dehydration and possible shrinking of the skin from time of death The carcass had sunken eyeballs and pale mucous membranes
• • •
The lungs were congested with round edges Cardiac hypertrophy with gelatinization which justifies starvation Inflammation of gastric mucosal membrane with no trace of colostrum despite the age of the animal
Cause of Death The calf died of malnutrition caused by agalactia. The inability for the mother to produce milk or the inability of the calf to suckle due to illness or system malfunctions. For this reason, he started feeding on pasture before the appropriate age and was unable to digest properly and died of malnutrition.
Case 7 – 13th January 2022 Zebra
Rescue
Elkarama Ranch
A grevy’s zebra calf was reported by the Elkarama Wildlife Conservancy Security Team to be at risk of predation due to the fact that it was without a dam in the wild. Immobilisation The zebra was darted from a vehicle with 2mgs Etorphine combined with 20mgs Azaperone. The drug took effect after 4 minutes and the animal went down on lateral recumbency. It was then physically restrained, blind folded, placed on a stretcher and loaded onto a vehicle for translocation. Once the animal was physically restrained using ropes the anaesthesia was reversed immediately using 50mgs Naltrexone and 12mgs Diprenorphine both administered via the jugular vein. Relocation, revival and prognosis During translocation the vital parameters were monitored, and the animal was positioned on sternal recumbency. The head was positioned in a way to allow optimal respiration. The animal was released in a boma at Ol Jogi Wildlife Rescue Centre. It was alert and active at the time of release and should recover well.
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Case 8 – 18th January 2022 Elephant
Rescue
Loisaba Conservancy
The following report describes how an elephant calf was rescued by Mt. Kenya Veterinary Unit from Loisaba Wildlife Conservancy to Sheldrick Wildlife Trust Elephant Orphanage in Nairobi. Rescue The elephant was immobilised chemically with 4mgs Etorphine combined with 20mgs Azaperone. It was darted from a vehicle using a Dan-inject compressed CO2 dart gun. The drug took effect after 4 minutes and the animal went down on lateral recumbency. It was then physically restrained, blind folded, placed on a stretcher and then loaded onto a vehicle. The anaesthesia was reversed with 100mg Naltrexone via the jugular vein and 12mg Diprenorphine intramuscularly immediately after the calf was loaded and secured on the vehicle. The animal was then translocated in a lorry while alert and with stops on the way were made to check on its welfare. The animal was released at the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust elephant orphanage in Nairobi in good health.
Case 9 – 18th January 2022 Elephant
Rescue
Loisaba Wildlife Conservancy
The following report describes how an elephant calf was rescued by Mt. Kenya Veterinary unit from Loisaba Wildlife Conservancy to Sheldrick Wildlife Trust elephant orphanage in Nairobi.
Rescue The animal appeared to be weak and debilitated. It had a staggering gait and was exhausted. The elephant was darted from a vehicle using 2mgs Etorphine combined with 20mgs Azaperone placed in a 1.5ml dart fitted with a 2.0×60mm plain needle and fired from a Dan-inject compressed CO2 dart gun. The drug took effect after 4 minutes and the animal went down on lateral recumbency. It was then physically restrained, blind folded, placed on a stretcher and then loaded onto a vehicle. Once the calf was loaded and secured on the vehicle, the anaesthesia was reversed with 100mgs Naltrexone administered via the jugular vein and 12mgs of Diprenorphine administered intramuscularly. The elephant was transported on a lorry to the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust Orphanage in Nairobi. The elephant was alert during transport and regular stops were made to check on its welfare.
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Case 10 – 18th January 2022 Elephant
Rescue
Loisaba Wildlife Conservancy
The animal was observed to be alert, energetic and was feeding when the team got to the ground. It had superficial extensive wounds around the right armpits and lower flank region. Immobilisation, examination and treatment The elephant was darted with a dan-inject compressed gun from a vehicle with 2mgs Etorphine combined with 20mgs Azaperone. The drugs took effect after 4 minutes and the animal went down on lateral recumbency. The wounds were cleaned with water then debrided with 10% Hydrogen peroxide. They were then disinfected with tincture of Iodine, packed with green antibiotic clay and sprayed with Tetracycline spray. The animal was also administered with 40mgs Dexamethasone and 9,000mgs of Amoxicillin. Relocation Once the wounds were treated, the calf was blind folded, placed on a stretcher and then loaded onto a vehicle. After the calf was secured on the vehicle the anaesthesia was reversed and transported to the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust in Nairobi whilst alert. It was continually monitored throughout the journey.
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Case 11 – 24th January 2022 Bongo
Natural Causes
Mt Kenya Wildlife Conservancy
An adult male mountain bongo was reported by the Mt. Kenya Wildlife Conservancy Team to be limping due to a cracked hoof. Immobilisation, examination and treatment Chemical immobilization was achieved by darting from foot with 5mgs Etorphine combined with 60mgs Azaperone The dart landed in the right rump muscles. The drug took effect after 6 minutes and the animal went down on its left lateral recumbency after which it was physically restrained. The animal was observed to have supportive leg lameness of the left and right hind limbs and closer examination revealed the hooves were cracked which had caused trauma to the adjacent soft tissues which in return inflicted pain to the limbs. The bongo was treated with 3,000mgs Amoxicillin and 4,000mgs Phenylbutazone, both administered intramuscularly. The overgrown hooves were trimmed and the traumatic wounds debrided using 10% Hydrogen peroxide and disinfected with tincture of Iodine. Prognosis The prognosis was good due to the timely detection and management of the condition
Case 12 – 24th January 2022 Bongo
Natural Causes
Mt Kenya Wildlife Conservancy
An adult female mountain bongo was reported by the Mt. Kenya Wildlife Conservancy team to have diarrhoea. It was feeding normally and still had a good body condition. It was suspected to have ingested the placenta after giving birth and was unable to digest it properly. Immobilisation, examination and treatment The bongo was darted from foot with 5mgs Etorphine combined with 60mgs Azaperone. The drugs took effect after 6 minutes and the animal was physically restrained as the anaesthesia monitoring was done. The animal had soiled tail and perineum, a sign of severe diarrhoea. It had smooth and bright coat and was in good body condition. It was also alert and active. The animal was treated with Fenbendazole administered orally, 20ml Catasol administered subcutaneously, as well as 30mgs Dexamethasone and 3,000mgs Amoxicillin administered intramuscularly. Prognosis The prognosis was good due to the timely detection and management of the condition