SWT/KWS MT KENYA MOBILE VETERINARY UNIT MAY 2022
Introduction
10 Cases in May
80% Success
3 Elephant Cases
May Report by Dr. Dominic Mijele During May 2022, the Mt Kenya Wildlife Veterinary Unit attended to 10 wildlife cases that required veterinary intervention in the Laikipia ecosystem and Mt. Kenya region. Some of the wildlife cases attended to include an elephant rescue at Imenti forest, grevy zebra treatment at Enasoit, elephant de-snaring in Sosian, elephant treatment at Naibunga, several mountain bongo treatments and waterbuck translocation at the Mt Kenya wildlife conservancy among other cases as highlighted in the report below. Acknowledgement We highly acknowledge Sheldrick Wildlife Trust (SWT) for their continued support that has enabled the Mt Kenya Wildlife Veterinary Unit to respond promptly and offer the required treatment to all wildlife cases reported during the month.
Case Details Date
Species
Area Found
3-May-22
Rhino White
Ol Jogi Ranch
Postmortem
The carcass was found lying on its dorsal recumbency
Died
3-May-22
Zebra
Enasoit Conservancy
Natural Causes
Had papilla like growths on the penile sheath and glans penis
Successfully Treated
9-May-22
Elephant
Imenti Forest
Rescue
Abandoned calf was in need of rescue
Taken to Orphanage
12-May-22
Elephant
Naibunga Conservancy
Natural Causes
An adult female was left behind by the herd and was recumbent for 2 days
Died
14-May-22
Antelope
Mount Kenya NR
Natural Causes
Had a swelling/suspected abscess on the left jaw
Successfully Treated
14-May-22
Antelope
Mount Kenya NR
Natural Causes
In good body condition and had a cracked hoof of the right forelimb
Successfully Treated
14-May-22
Antelope
Mount Kenya NR
Natural Causes
In good body condition and had a cracked hoof on the right forelimb
Successfully Treated
14-May-22
Waterbuck
Mount Kenya NR
HWC
Adult male waterbuck was posing a threat to workers in the residential area
Task Successful
19-May-22
Antelope
Mount Kenya NR
Natural Causes
Had an object stuck in between the premolars on the lower jaw
Successfully Treated
24-May-22
Elephant
Sosian Ranch
Snared
The snare was wrapped around the right hind leg
Successfully Treated
Reason for Intervention
Outcome
SWT/KWS Mount Kenya Mobile Vet Unit Treatment Locations May 2022
Case 1 – 3rd May 2022 White Rhino
Post-mortem
Ol Jogi Wildlife Conservancy
Ol Jogi Wildlife Conservancy Security Team found a white rhino carcass and reported the case to Mt Kenya veterinary unit for a post-mortem examination. Post-mortem examination The carcass was found lying on its dorsal recumbency, it had been preyed upon and all the internal organs had been ripped off the body. The remaining parts had also been preyed upon and hence the carcass was in no state for a detailed post-mortem examination. The horns were retrieved by the KWS team. A tissue sample from the ear was taken for laboratory genetic analysis. Cause of death The animal was suspected to have died as a result of predation.
Case 2 – 3rd May 2022 Zebra
Natural Causes
Enasoit Conservancy, Laikipia
An adult male Grevy zebra was reported by the Enasoit Conservancy team to have a dangling growth around the abdominal area. The Mt Kenya Mobile Unit responded to case and intervened as follows. Immobilisation, examination and treatment The zebra was darted from a vehicle with 6mgs Etorphine combined with 80mgs Azaperone. The dart landed in the right hind muscles. The drugs took effect after 6 minutes and the animal went down on its left lateral recumbency after which it was physically restrained and blindfolded. The animal was observed to be in good body condition but had papilla like growths on the penile sheath and glans penis. The growths on the sheath could be peeled off. The growth was suspected to be a squamous cell carcinoma. The zebra was treated with 4000mgs Phenylbutazone, 9,000mgs Amoxicillin and 40mgs Dexamethasone intramuscularly. The disturbed growth was flushed with Iodine and sprayed with Oxytetracycline. Samples were collected from the detachable growths on the penile sheath and from live tissue on the penile glans. Blood samples were also collected from the jugular vein for EDTA and serum. Prognosis Prognosis is good due to timely detection and intervention.
Case 3 – 9th May 2022 Elephant
Rescue
Imenti Forest, Meru
The Mt Kenya Mobile Unit responded to the case and rescued an abandoned calf as described in the following report Rescue Operation There was a report of an abandoned elephant calf that was alone and could not survive without its mother. The Unit found a 4-month-old female calf alone in the Imenti Forest. The Unit assisted with the rescue, assessed the calf and helped load it on to a helicopter. Prognosis The calf was in good condition. It was airlifted to the SWT Nairobi Elephant Nursery whilst alert and all vital parameters monitored.
Case 4 – 12th May 2022 Elephant
Natural Causes
Naibunga Conservancy
An adult female was reported to have been deserted by the herd and was recumbent for 2 days but couldn’t get up despite her attempts. The Mt Kenya veterinary unit responded and intervened to the case as described in the report. Examination The animal was observed to be on left lateral reccumbency. She had a poor body condition and appeared weak. The animal was recumbent and despite the efforts made to assist the animal to rise to her feet, she was too weak and succumbed to death. Cause of death It succumbed due to death due to stravation, hypoglyceamia and dehydration. The tusks were recovered and taken to the KWS store.
Case 5 – 14th May 2022 Bongo
Natural Causes
Mt Kenya Wildlife Conservancy
A sub adult female mountain bongo was reported to have a swelling suspected abscess on the left jaw. Immobilisation, Examination and treatment` Chemical immobilization was achieved with 2mgs Etorphine combined with 50mgs Azaperone. Darting was done on foot using a Dan-inject compressed CO2 dart gun. The dart landed on the hind muscles and the drugs took effect after 5 minutes. The animal went down on its left lateral recumbency after which it was physically restrained and the anaesthesia monitored. Oxygen was supplemented during the treatment. The animal was observed to be in good body condition but had an abscess on the left jaw. The mountain bongo was treated with 2,000mgs Phenylbutazone, 1,500mgs Amoxicillin and 5mls Catosal intramuscularly. The abscess was lanced, drained and debrided with Hydrogen peroxide and flushed with iodine, 5 Cotrimaxole pessaries were inserted into the pocket and the area sprayed with Oxytetracycline. Prognosis The anaesthesia was reversed and the animal given a good prognosis due to timely intervention.
Case 6 – 14th May 2022 Bongo
Natural Causes
Mt Kenya Wildlife Conservancy
An adult female mountain bongo was reported to exhibit limping due to a cracked hoof. Immobilisation, examination and treatment The bongo was darted from foot with 6mgs Etorphine combined with 40mgs Azaperone placed in a 1.5ml dart syringe fitted with a 2.0×40mm plain needle. The dart landed in the hind muscles and the drugs took effect after 5 minutes. The bongo went down on left lateral recumbency after which it was physically restrained, and the anaesthesia monitored, and oxygen supplemented throughout treatment. The animal was observed to be in good body condition and had a cracked hoof on the right forelimb that extended to the adjacent soft tissues which inflicted pain to the surrounding soft tissues. In addition, she had overgrown hooves. The mountain bongo was treated with 4,000mgs Phenylbutazone, 3,000mgs Amoxicillin and 20mls Catosal intramuscularly. The injured hoof was debrided with Hydrogen peroxide, flushed with Iodine and sprayed Oxytetracycline. All of the overgrown hooves were trimmed. Prognosis Prognosis was good following treatment.
Case 7 – 14th May 2022 Bongo
Natural Causes
Mt Kenya Wildlife Conservancy
An adult female mountain bongo was reported to be limping due to a cracked hoof. Immobilisation, examination and treatment The bongo was darted from foot in the hind muscles with 7mgs Etorphine combined with 40mgs Azaperone placed in a 1.5ml dart syringe fitted with a 2.0×40mm plain needle. The drugs took effect after 5 minutes. The bongo went down on left lateral recumbency after which it was physically restrained, and the anaesthesia monitored, and oxygen supplemented throughout treatment. The bongo was in good body condition, but its right forelimb had a cracked hoof that extended to the adjacent soft tissues which inflicted pain to the entire limb. The mountain bongo was treated with 4,000mgs Phenylbutazone, 3,000mgs Amoxicillin, and 20mls Catosal intramuscularly as well as 5mls Ivermectin subcutaneously. The injured hoof was debrided with Hydrogen peroxide, flushed with Iodine, sprayed with Oxytetracycline and trimmed using a hoof trimmer. Prognosis Prognosis was good following treatment.
Case 8 – 14th May 2022 Waterbuck
Human-Wildlife Conflict
Mt Kenya Wildlife Conservancy
An adult male waterbuck was reported to be constantly trespassing and posing a threat to the workers in the residential area within the Mt Kenya Conservancy and a request for translocation by the team was made. Immobilisation Chemical immobilization was achieved with 7mgs Etorphine combined with 40mgs Azaperone in a 1.5ml dart syringe fitted with a 2.0×40mm collared needle. Darting was done from foot using a Dan-inject compressed CO2 dart gun. The dart landed in the hind muscles and the drugs took effect after 5 minutes. Oxygen supplementation was administered for optimal breathing. To support breathing 9mgs Butorphanol was administered through the ear vein. Relocation The animal was relocated to a safer area and the anaesthesia reversed with 24mgs Diprenorphine and 25mgs Naltrexone administered via the jugular vein and the animal rose after 2 minutes. The animal was released at the Mawingu outpost in good condition
Case 9 – 19th May 2022 Bongo
Natural Causes
Mt Kenya Wildlife Conservancy
An adult female was noted to be unusually raising her head while feeding on pellets that raised a concern.
Immobilisation, examination and treatment The bongo was darted from foot into the hind quarters with 5mgs Etorphine combined with 40mgs Azaperone placed in a 1.5ml dart syringe. The drugs took effect after 5 minutes and the animal went down on its left lateral recumbency after which it was physically restrained. Treatment and anaesthesia monitoring were done simultaneously. Oxygen supplementation was administered for optimal breathing. The animal was in good body condition but it had an object stuck between the premolars of the lower jaw. The mountain bongo was treated with 40mgs Dexamethasone and 2,250mgs Amoxicillin intramuscularly. The material was dislodged and removed from the teeth then the mouth was flushed with water Prognosis The anaesthesia was reversed and the bongo got up 2 minutes later. Prognosis is good.
Case 10 – 24th May 2022 Elephant
Snared
Sosain Ranch, Laikipia
The Mt Kenya Mobile Unit responded to the case of a sub adult female elephant noted to have a snare on the right hind limb. Immobilisation, examination and treatment Chemical immobilization was achieved with 7mgs Etorphine. The elephant was approached with a vehicle and darted in the rump. The drug took effect after 5 minutes and the animal went down on its right lateral recumbency. The animal was in good condition and thought the snare was around the right hind leg it had not cut through tissue or caused and injury. The snare was removed with a wire cutter and thankful no further treatment was required. Prognosis Anaesthesia reversal was done using 24mgs diprenorphine administered via the ear vein and the animal rose after 2 minutes. The prognosis was good due to timely detection and intervention.