SWT/KWS MT KENYA MOBILE VETERINARY UNIT APRIL 2022
Introduction
16 Cases in April
86% Success
7 Elephant Cases
April Report by Dr. Dominic Mijele During April 2022, the Mt Kenya Wildlife Veterinary unit attended to 16 cases that required intervention in the Laikipia ecosystem and Mt. Kenya region. The majority of these cases were rescues or natural in nature. Cases attended to included 5 elephant rescues in Laikipia that were taken to the Nairobi Orphanage, treatment of several mountain bongos at the Mt Kenya Wildlife Conservancy, treatment of an ostrich in Mweiga, post-mortem of a Grevy zebra and the de-snaring of an eland at Aberdares Country club. Acknowledgement Many thanks to Sheldrick Wildlife Trust (SWT) for their continued support that has enabled the Mt Kenya wildlife veterinary unit team to respond promptly and offer the required treatment to all wildlife cases that required intervention during the month.
SWT/KWS Mount Kenya Mobile Vet Unit Treatment Locations April 2022
Case Details Date
Species
Area Found
6-Apr-22
Antelope
Mount Kenya NR
Postmortem
The carcass was still fresh about one day old
Died
7-Apr-22
Antelope
Mount Kenya NR
Natural Causes
A female mountain bongo was reported to exhibit limping due to a cracked hoof
Successfully Treated
12-Apr-22
Other
Mweiga
Natural Causes
Ostrich was reported to exhibit minimal or no movement, gone on sternal recumbency
Successfully Treated
14-Apr-22
Elephant
Ol Donyo Nyiro
Rescue
The calf was found alone and required rescue
Taken to Orphanage
15-Apr-22
Elephant
Ol Donyo Nyiro
Rescue
The calf was found alone and required rescue
Taken to Orphanage
16-Apr-22
Elephant
Ol Donyo Nyiro
Rescue
The calf was found alone and required rescue
Taken to Orphanage
17-Apr-22
Antelope
Mount Kenya NR
Natural Causes
A mountain bongo calf was reported to be lethargic, dull and have a fluffy coat
Successfully Treated
18-Apr-22
Elephant
Segera Ranch
Rescue
The calf was found alone and required rescue
Taken to Orphanage
19-Apr-22
Elephant
Loisaba Ranch
Natural Causes
There was a perforating injury on the right front foot
Successfully Treated Successfully Treated
Reason for Intervention
Outcome
Elephant
Ol Donyo Nyiro
Natural Causes
On manipulation, flexion and extension of the limb there was crepitation heard in the right shoulder joint and a loss of bone continuity at the humerus was felt
21-Apr-22
Eland
Abedares National Park
Snared
There was a snare on the left hind foot
Successfully Treated
23-Apr-22
Zebra
Ol Pejeta Conservancy
Postmortem
The female adult zebra was reported to have suddenly died
Died
25-Apr-22
Elephant
Dol Dol Group Ranch
Rescue
The calf was found aloe and required rescue
Taken to Orphanage
30-Apr-22
Antelope
Mount Kenya NR
Natural Causes
An adult male mountain bongo was limping due to a cracked hoof
Successfully Treated
30-Apr-22
Antelope
Mount Kenya NR
Natural Causes
The animal had a cracked hoof on the left forelimb
Successfully Treated
30-Apr-22
Antelope
Mount Kenya NR
Natural Causes
An adult male mountain bongo was reported limping due to a cracked hoof
Successfully Treated
19-Apr-22
Case 1 – 6th April 2022 Bongo
Post-mortem
Mt Kenya Wildlife Conservancy
An adult female mountain bongo named ‘Danni’ was not seen for a day so he Keepers and Security Teams search for her and found her dead in the newly created Mawingu Bongo Sanctuary. The carcass was about one day old. Danni is one of the 5 bongos that were translocated into the new sanctuary in March 2022. Post-mortem examination • • • • • • •
It was in a very good body condition but carcass had started decomposition and it was getting bloated There was a deep wound on the medial ‘inner’ thigh of the left hind leg close to the inguinal region. The wound was fresh, oozing blood and body fluids. It had penetrated through the inguinal region piercing the lower abdomen into the rumen and injuring parts of the large and small intestines There was extensive spillage of ruminal contents into the peritoneal cavity causing infection in the peritoneum and heavy accumulation of fresh blood in the abdominal cavity due to haemorrhage Severe ecchymotic haemorrhages on the small and large intestines as a result of the injury The lungs, liver and spleen had undergone autolysis but looked pale, fliable It was pregnant with a foetus in the uterus of about 4 months old
Prognosis The bongo died of a traumatic penetrating injury through the abdomen. It also suffered brief peritonitis due to spillage of ruminal contents on the peritoneal cavity. Likely caused by aggressive males in the sanctuary.
Case 2 – 7th April 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 a combination of 5mgs Etorphine and 40mgs Azaperone. The dart landed in the neck muscles and the drugs took effect after 5minutes with the animal falling on left lateral recumbency after which it was physically restrained. Treatment and anaesthesia monitoring was done simultaneously. Oxygen supplementation was administered for optimal breathing. 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. The mountain bongo was treated with 4,000mgs Phenylbutazone and 3,000mgs Amoxicillin. The injured hoof was debrided with Hydrogen peroxide, flushed with Iodine, then sprayed with Oxytetracycline. Prognosis The prognosis was good due to timely detection and intervention of the condition.
Case 3 – 12th April 2022 Ostrich
Natural Causes
Mweiga, Golden Hotel
The ostrich was reported to exhibit minimal or no movement, had gone on sternal recumbency and was not feeding. The Mt Kenya Veterinary Unit responded and intervened to the case as follows.
Immobilisation, examination and treatment The bird was physically restrained for detailed physical examination. On general examination the bird was observed to be on sternal recumbency. There was evidence of green coloured diarrhoea at the place of rest. Upon flexion and extension of the intertarsal joint region the bird reacted instantly by withdrawing the leg. The bird was administered with 1,500mgs Amoxicillin and 2,000mgs of Phenylbutazone intramuscularly. Prognosis The animal had a good prognosis due to timely intervention and management of the condition.
Case 4 – 14th April 2022 Elephant
Rescue
Ol Donyo nyiro, Laikipa
The Mt Kenya Mobile Unit responded to the case and rescued an abandoned calf as described in the following report. Rescue The calf was retrieved by the Mt Kenya Mobile Vet team at Oldonyiro after which it was flown by a helicopter from Ol donyiro to Ol malo where it was flown by a caravan to the Sheldrick’s Nairobi Nursery. The animal was translocated while alert under close monitoring of vital parameters The animal was observed to be in good body condition and had a wound on the tail. around the perineal region.
Case 5 – 15th April 2022 Elephant
Rescue
Ol Donyo nyiro, Laikipa
The Mt Kenya Mobile Unit responded to the case and rescued an abandoned calf as described in the following report.
Rescue The calf was retrieved by the Mt Kenya Mobile Vet Team at Ol donyiro after which it was flown by a helicopter from Ol donyiro to Ol malo then loaded into a carcavan and flew to the Sheldrick’s Nairobi Nursery. The animal was observed to be in a good body condition. It was translocated while alert with close monitoring of vital parameters.
Case 6 – 16th April 2022 Elephant
Rescue
Ol Donyo nyiro, Laikipa
The Mt Kenya Mobile Unit responded to the case and rescued an abandoned calf as described in the following report.
Rescue The calf was rescued by the Mt Kenya Mobile Vet team at Ol donyiro. A helicopter then flew the calf to the Ol Malo Airstrip where it was collected by a caravan and taken to the Sheldrick’s Nursery in Nairobi. The calf was in good condition and was translocated while alert under constant monitoring.
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Case 7 – 17th April 2022 Bongo
Natural Causes
Mt Kenya Wildlife Conservancy
A mountain bongo calf was reported by the Mt. Kenya Wildlife Conservancy team to be lethargic, dull and has a fluffy coat. The animal was suspected to be suffering from helminthosis. Immobilisation, examination and treatment Chemical immobilization was achieved with 1mgs of Etorphine combined with 10mgs Azaperone placed in a 1.5ml dart syringe fitted with a 2.0× 40mm plain needle. Darting was done from foot using a Dan-inject compressed CO2 dart gun. The drug took effect after 6 minutes and the animal was physically restrained and the anaesthesia reversed immediately using 25mgs Naltrexone administered via the jugular vein. The bongo was administered with 1500mgs of Amoxicillin and 5mls of Catasol intramuscularly plus 3mls of Fenbendazole orally. Prognosis The prognosis was good due to timely detection and management of the condition.
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Case 8 – 18th April 2022 Elephant
Rescue
Segera Area, Laikipia
The Mt Kenya Mobile Unit responded to the case and rescued an abandoned calf as described in the following report Rescue The calf was rescued by the Mt Kenya Mobile Vet team at Segera after which it was flown by a helicopter to the Sheldricks elephant orphanage in Nairobi. The calf was in good condition. It was transported whilst alert and closely monitored during transit. There are no pictures for this case
Case 9 – 19th April 2022 Elephant
Natural Causes
Loisaba, Laikipia
A sub-adult male elephant was reported by the Loisaba team to exhibit minimal movement and limping. The Mt Kenya Mobile Unit responded to case and intervened as follows. Immobilisation, examination and treatment Chemical immobilization was achieved with 10mgs Etorphine placed in a 1.5cc dart syringe fitted with a 2.0×60mm plain needle. The elephant was darted from a vehicle using a Dan-inject compressed CO2 dart gun. The dart landed in the left rump muscles. The drug took effect after 10 minutes and the animal went down on its left lateral recumbency. The animal was noted to be in a good body condition. There was a perforating injury on the right front foot. The elephant was treated with 8,000mgs Phenylbutazone and 12,000mgs Amoxicillin intramuscularly. The injured foot was debrided with Hydrogen peroxide, flushed with iodine, inserted with pessaries and sprayed with Oxytetracycline. Reversal or prognosis Anaesthesia was reversed with 36mg Diprenophine and the elephant given a good prognosis. .
Case 10 – 19th April 2022 Elephant
Natural Causes
Ol Donyo Nyiro, Laikipia
A female African elephant, approximately 5 years old, was reported by the Oldonyiro team to have been straying alone as if abandoned.
Immobilisation, examination and treatment The elephant was darted from foot with 1 mgs of Etorphine. The dart landed in the left rump with the drugs taking effect after 6 minutes and the animal went down on its left lateral recumbency. The animal was noted to have a good body condition. On manipulation, flexion and extension of the limb there was crepitation heard in the right shoulder joint and a loss of bone continuity at the humerus was felt. The animal was administered with 4,000mgs of Phenylbutazone and 6,000mgs Amoxicillin intramuscularly Prognosis The prognosis was fair. The extent of the injury is serious, however the animal was in good body condition and could possibly survive.
Case 11 – 21st April 2022 Eland
Snared
Abedares Golf Club, National Park
A male eland was reported by the Aberdares Team to have a snare on the left hind foot. The Mt Kenya Mobile Unit responded to case and intervened as follows. Immobilisation examination and treatment Chemical immobilization was achieved with 15mgs Etorphine combined with 50 mgs of Azaperone. The eland was darted from a vehicle using a Dan-inject compressed CO2 dart gun. The dart landed in the left rump. The drugs took effect after 10 minutes and the animal went down on sternal recumbency. The animal was noted to have a good body condition. There was a snare on the left hind foot which was removed with wire cutters. The snare had not caused any wounds. Blood samples were collected from the jugular vein and stored properly for further processing and laboratory analysis Prognosis The prognosis was good as the animal had no injury
Case 12 – 23rd April 2022 Zebra
Post-mortem
Ol Pejeta Conservancy
The female adult zebra was reported to have suddenly died in Mukwe sanctuary. Post-mortem examination On arrival the carcass was found lying on left lateral recumbency. The carcass had evidence of • •
Pronounced oedema in the brisket, abdomen, perineum and vulvar region Extensive bloat of the carcass and lack of rigor mortis on the legs
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Scanty bleeding from the anus and vulvar
The carcass could not be opened up for detailed post mortem examination as the observed signs appeared consistent to those of anthrax and the possible risk of environmental contamination. Blood smears from the peripheral veins of the ears and anus were submitted to the Veterinary investigative laboratory, Karatina for further analysis and confirmation of the suspected disease. Cause of death Anthrax. The results from the blood smears indicated a positive clostridial infection. The carcass was properly disposed by deep burial and site disinfected using 10% formalin to kill any possible spores. .
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Case 13 – 25th April 2022 Elephant
Rescue
Dol Dol, Laikipia
The Mt Kenya Mobile Unit responded to the case and rescued an abandoned calf as described in the following report. Rescue The calf was rescued by the Mt Kenya Mobile Vet team after which it was flown by a helicopter from Dol dol Group Ranch to the Sheldricks elephant orphanage in Nairobi where it will be treated. It was transported whilst still alert and all its vital parameters monitored continuously. The calf was observed to have left front leg lameness.
Case 14 – 30th April 2022 Bongo
Natural Causes
Mt Kenya Wildlife Conservancy
An adult male mountain bongo was reported to exhibit limping due to a cracked hoof. The Mt Kenya veterinary unit responded and intervened to the case as described in the report. Immobilisation, examination and treatment The bongo was easily darted from foot with 6mgs Etorphine. The dart landed on the left thigh muscles and the drugs took effect after 5 minutes. The animal went down on its right lateral recumbency after which it was physically restrained. Treatment and anaesthesia monitoring was done simultaneously. Oxygen supplementation was administered for optimal breathing. The animal was in good body condition. The bongo had overgrown hooves and a broken right front hoof due to the muddy terrain. The injury had extended to the soft tissues inflicting pain on the limb hence the limping. The bongo was treated with 4,000mgs Phenylbutazone, 3,000mgs Amoxicillin and 20mls of multivitamin intramuscularly. The injured hoof was washed with water, debrided with Hydrogen peroxide, flushed with Iodine, sprayed with Oxytetracycline. The rest of the overgrown hooves were trimmed using a hoof trimmer. Prognosis The prognosis was good due to timely detection and intervention of the condition.
Case 15 – 30th April 2022 Bongo
Natural Causes
Mt Kenya Wildlife Conservancy
An adult pregnant mountain bongo was reported to exhibit limping due to a cracked hoof. The Mt Kenya veterinary unit responded and intervened to the case as described in the report. Immobilisation, examination and treatment The bongo was darted from foot with 5mgs Etorphine combined with 40mgs Azaperone. The dart landed in the left thigh muscles and the drug took effect after 5minutes. The animal went down on its left lateral recumbency after which it was physically restrained and blindfolded. The anaesthesia was monitored throughout the treatment. Oxygen supplementation was administered for optimal breathing. The animal was observed to be in good body condition and had a cracked hoof on the left forelimb. The pregnant female 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, then sprayed with Oxytetracycline. The remaining overgrown hooves were trimmed using a hoof trimmer. Prognosis The prognosis was good due to timely detection and intervention of the condition.
Case 16 – 30th April 2022 Bongo
Natural Causes
Mt Kenya Wildlife Conservancy
An adult male mountain bongo was reported to exhibit limping due to a cracked hoof. The Mt Kenya veterinary unit responded and intervened to the case as described in the report.
Immobilisation, examination and treatment Chemical immobilization was achieved with 7mgs Etorphine combined with 40mgs Azaperone placed in a 1.5ml dart syringe. The bongo was darted from foot into the right hind leg muscles and went down in 5 minutes on the left side after which it was physically restrained. Throughout the treatment, the anaesthesia was monitored and oxygen supplementation for optimal breathing. The animal was in good body condition but had a cracked hoof on the right forelimb. The mountain bongo was treated with 4,000mgs Phenylbutazone, 3,000mgs Amoxicillin and 20mls Catasol intramuscularly. The injured hoof was debrided with Hydrogen peroxide, flushed with iodine, and sprayed with Oxytetracycline. Prognosis Prognosis was good as the hoof was seen and treated in time.