SWT/KWS MT KENYA MOBILE VETERINARY UNIT JUNE 2022
Introduction
16 Cases in June
6 Poaching Cases
6 Elephant Cases
June Report by Dr. Dominic Mijele In June 2022, the Mt Kenya Veterinary Unit attended to wildlife cases in the Laikipia Ecosystem and Mt. Kenya Region. There were 16 cases in total in June, 6 of these cases involved elephants and 6 cases were poaching cases. Notable cases this month included ear notching 31 rhinos in Ol-Jogi Ranch, rescuing two elephants that were trapped in mud in separate occasions, the translocation of a herd of 6 zebra from Maralal town to Maralal Sanctuary and trimming the tusks of a known blind habitual crop raiding elephant bull to deter him from fence breaking. Acknowledgement We acknowledge the continued support from Sheldrick Wildlife Trust (SWT) that enables the Mt Kenya Veterinary Unit to respond promptly to wildlife emergencies and offer treatment in cases that require veterinary intervention.
Case Details Date
Species
Area Found
02-June 22
Zebra
Maralal, Samburu
Natural causes
Left hind limb lameness due to multiple traumatic septic wounds
Treated successfully
03-June 22
Zebra
Mt. Kenya Conservancy
Natural causes
Right front limb lameness due to a complete humeral fracture
Died
04-June 22
Elephant
Nannapa Conservancy
Rescue
Stuck in the mud for 2 days
Task successful
04-June 22
Elephant
Ol Malo Conservancy
Natural causes
Recumbent and unable to walk due to a leg injury
Died
05-June 22
Elephant
Doldol
Arrow
Limping due to an injury on the right shoulder.
Treated successfully
05-June 22
Elephant
Chololo Ranch
Bullet
Limping due to a deep penetrating wound on the right carpal joint forelimb
Treated successfully
06-June 22
Zebra
Balungi Farm
Snared
Removal of snare around the neck of the zebra
Treated successfully
07-June 22
Bongo
Mt. Kenya Conservancy
Natural Causes
Limping due to a cracked hoof on the right forelimb
Treated successfully
08-June 22
Zebra
Balungi Farm
Snared
Removal of snare around the neck of another zebra in the area
Treated successfully
08-June 22
Baboon
Old House Hotel
Snared
Removal of snare around the neck of the baboon
Treated successfully
09-June 22
Elephant
Ol-Jogi Ranch
Rescue
Stuck in a dam in recumbent position
Task successful
13-June 22
Zebra
Maralal, Samburu
Snared
Removal of a snare around its neck
Treated Successfully
14-June 22
Zebra
Maralal, Samburu
Relocation
Relocation of a herd of six zebras from Maralal town to Maralal Sanctuary
Task successful
15-June 22
Rhino
Ol-Jogi Ranch
Natural causes
Multiple wounds after a fight with another rhino
Treated successfully
19-28 June 22
Rhino
Ol-Jogi Ranch
Technical cases
Ear notching and fitting transponders and transmitters on 31 rhinos
Task successful
27- June 22
Elephant
Ol-Pejeta, Laikipia
Technical case
Tusk trimming to deter fence breaking by the known blind habitual crop raiding bull
Task successful
Reason for Intervention
Outcome
SWT/KWS Mt Kenya Mobile Vet Unit Treatment Locations June 2022
Case 1 – 02nd June 2022 Zebra
Natural Causes
Maralal, Samburu
The zebra foal exhibited left hind limb lameness due to multiple traumatic septic wounds around the cannon area.
Immobilisation, examination and treatment The foal was darted with 2 mgs Etorphine and 20 mgs Azaperone on the right rump. She went down on her right side 6 minutes later then she was physically restrained. Anaesthesia monitoring and treatment were done concurrently. The septic wounds were debrided with Hydrogen peroxide, flushed with Iodine then sprayed with Oxytetracycline spray. A supportive bandage was also placed around the hock joint. Additionally, 2250 mgs Amoxicillin and 3000 mgs Phenylbutazone were administered intramuscularly. Reversal of anaesthesia was achieved with 12 mgs Diprenorphine injected via the jugular vein. The foal rose after 2 minutes and re-joined her herd that was waiting nearby. Prognosis The foal has a favourable prognosis since her condition was detected and managed early.
Case 2 – 03rd June 2022 Zebra
Natural Causes
Mt. Kenya Wildlife Conservancy
A sub-adult female common zebra was reported by the Mt Kenya Wildlife Conservancy team to exhibit right front limb lameness.
Immobilisation and examination The zebra was approached on foot and darted with 4 mgs Etorphine and 40 mgs Azaperone on the left rump using a Dan-inject compressed CO2 dart gun. Once the anaesthesia had taken effect, the zebra was physically restrained. Oxygen supplementation was administered for optimal breathing. Although the zebra was observed to have fair body condition, palpitation of the right front limb revealed a mid-shaft complete humeral fracture. Given the severity of the injury, she was euthanized to minimize her suffering. A post-mortem examination was carried out thereafter. Post-mortem examination The post-mortem found a complete comminuted right front limb humeral fracture
Case 3 – 04th June 2022 Elephant
Natural Causes
Nannapa Community Wildlife Conservancy
The Mt. Kenya Mobile Vet Unit received a report about a female elephant that had been stuck in a pool of mud for 2 days. Immobilisation and rescue The elephant was immobilized with 10mgs Etorphine injected intramuscularly on the left rump. She was fully sedated in 5 minutes and her body condition was noted to be good. With the help of a tractor and some manpower, she was carefully pulled out of the mud. Anaesthesia reversal was done with 24 mgs Diprenorphine and 150 mgs Naltrexone administered via the superficial ear vein. The elephant rose after 5 minutes and joined a nearby herd. Prognosis The elephant was noted to be in good body condition and therefore has a good prognosis.
Case 4 – 04th June 2022 Elephant
Natural Causes
Ol Malo Conservancy
An adult female elephant was reported to have been recumbent and unable to walk due to a leg injury.
Immobilisation, examination and treatment The elephant was darted from a vehicle with 17 mgs Etorphine on the left rump. She went down on left lateral recumbency 6 minutes later. Her body condition was poor and a fractured right limb was observed with the presence of a deep wound on the fractured leg at the scapula level. 1000 mgs Flunixine meglumine and 15,000mgs Amoxicillin was administered intramuscularly. Her wound was debrided with Hydrogen peroxide, flushed with Iodine and green clay paste applied. The wound was then sprayed with Oxytetracycline. Anaesthesia reversal was done with 48 mgs Diprenorphine administered via the ear vein and she came to after 5 minutes. Several unsuccessful attempts were made to assist her to stand but she was unable to carry her own weight due to the severity of her injury. She was therefore put to rest to alleviate further pain and suffering.
Case 5 – 05th June 2022 Elephant
Arrow
Doldol
The Mt. Kenya Vet Unit was called to attend to an elephant bull that had been seen limping. Immobilisation, examination and treatment The elephant was approached by vehicle and darted with 17 mgs Etorphine on the left rump. He went down on left lateral recumbency 6 minutes later. A penetrating wound was observed through the right ear and into the right shoulder. It was suspected that the injury was inflicted by an arrow. 1,000mgs Flunixine meglumine and 15,000mgs Amoxicillin were administered intramuscularly. The wound was debrided with Hydrogen peroxide, flushed with Iodine then green clay paste was applied along with Oxytetracycline spray. Reversal and prognosis Anaesthesia reversal was done with 48 mgs Diprenorphine administered via the ear vein. The elephant rose after 2 minutes. The elephant has a good prognosis since treatment was administered early.
Case 6 – 05th June 2022 Elephant
Bullet
Chololo Ranch
An elephant bull in Chololo Ranch was seen limping and reported to the Mt. Kenya Vet Unit. Immobilisation, examination and treatment The elephant was darted with 17 mgs Etorphine on the left rump from a vehicle. He was fully immobilized in 6 minutes on left lateral recumbency. A deep penetrating wound was observed on the right carpal joint forelimb suspected to have been caused by a bullet. 1,000mgs Flunixine meglumine and 15,000mgs Amoxicillin were administered intramuscularly. The wound was debrided with Hydrogen peroxide, flushed with Iodine then green clay paste was applied along with Oxytetracycline spray. Reversal and prognosis Anaesthesia was reversed with 48 mgs Diprenorphine administered via the ear vein. The elephant rose after 3 minutes. The elephant has a good prognosis since treatment was administered early.
Case 7 – Date 06th June 2022 Zebra
Snared
Balungi Farm, Laikipia
Balungi farm management reported seeing a male common zebra with a snare around its neck.
Immobilisation, examination and treatment The zebra was approached by vehicle and darted with 6 mgs Etorphine and 60 mgs Azaperone on its right rump. The drugs took effect in 7 minutes with the animal going down on its left side. The loose wire snare around the zebra’s neck was then removed. As there wasn’t any resulting wound, there was no need for further treatment. Anaesthesia was reversed with 24 mgs Diprenorphine and the animal rose after 2 minutes. Prognosis The zebra has a good prognosis due to timely detection and removal of the snare.
Case 8 – 06th June 2022 Bongo
Natural Causes
Mt. Kenya Wildlife Conservancy
An adult male mountain bongo was reported to be limping due to a cracked hoof. Immobilisation, examination and treatment Chemical immobilization was done with 6 mgs Etorphine and 60mgs Azaperone. The mountain bongo was approached on foot and darted on the left rump using a Dan-inject compressed CO2 dart gun. 5 minutes later, the animal went down on left lateral recumbency. It was then physically restrained as oxygen supplementation was administered for optimal breathing. The bongo had overgrown hooves and a cracked hoof on the right forelimb. 3,000mgs Phenylbutazone and 3000mgs Amoxicillin were administered and the overgrown hooves were trimmed. The cracked hoof was flushed with Iodine and sprayed with Oxytetracycline. Anaesthesia reversal was done with 24 mgs Diprenorphine administered via the jugular vein. The bongo rose after 3 minutes. Prognosis The mountain bongo has a good prognosis due to timely detection and treatment.
Case 9 – Date 08th June 2022 Zebra
Snared
Balungi Farm, Laikipia
A second male common zebra with a snare around its neck was reported by the Balungi Farm management. Immobilisation, examination and treatment The zebra was approached by vehicle and darted with 6 mgs Etorphine and 60 mgs Azaperone on its right rump. 7 minutes later the animal went down on right lateral recumbency. The loose wire snare around the zebra’s neck was then removed. There wasn’t any wound on the neck from the snare therefore there was no need for further treatment. Anaesthesia was reversed with 24 mgs Diprenorphine and the animal rose after 2 minutes. Prognosis The zebra has a good prognosis due to timely detection and removal of the snare.
Case 10 – 08th June 2022 Baboon
Snared
Old House Hotel, Nanyuki
An adult male baboon was reported to have a snare around its neck by Old House Hotel, Nanyuki.
Immobilisation, examination and treatment The baboon was approached on foot and darted with 70 mgs Ketamine using a Dan-inject compressed CO2 dart gun. The dart landed on the left rump. After 10 minutes, the baboon went down on left lateral recumbency. Examination revealed that the baboon had sustained minor injuries around the buccal cavity as it attempted to free itself. The snare was removed and anaesthesia reversed immediately thereafter. Prognosis The baboon has a good prognosis since the injury sustained was very minor.
Case 11 – 09th June 2022 Elephant
Rescue
Ol-Jogi Ranch
The Mt Kenya Mobile Unit received a report of an elephant bull stuck and recumbent in a dam in Ol-Jogi Ranch. Immobilisation, examination and treatment Chemical immobilization was achieved with 10 mgs Etorphine that was injected by hand into the elephant’s right rump. Once the drugs had taken effect, the elephant was pulled out of the dam with the help of a tractor. Reversal and prognosis Anaesthesia was reversed with 36 mgs Diprenorphine administered via the ear vein. The elephant was then successfully assisted to its feet and was charging away 2 minutes later. The elephant has a good prognosis.
Case 12 – 13th June 2022 Zebra
Snared
Maralal, Samburu
A female common zebra was reported to have a snare around its neck by rangers within the community conservancy.
Immobilisation, examination and treatment The animal was approached by vehicle and darted with 5 mgs Etorphine and 40 mgs Azaperone. The dart landed on the right rump and the zebra went down on sternal recumbency after 7 minutes. The snare around the neck was successfully removed using wire cutters. There was no need for further treatment since the snare had not caused a wound. Anaesthesia was reversed with 18 mgs Diprenorphine administered via the jugular vein. The zebra was standing 2 minutes post-reversal. Prognosis The zebra has a good prognosis since it had no injury from the snare due to its timely detection and removal.
Case 13 – 14th June 2022 Zebra
Relocation
Maralal Town, Samburu
The residents of Maralal town appealed to Kenya Wildlife Service to translocate a herd of six zebras that were roaming in the town. Mt. Kenya Vet Unit was called upon to ensure the safe translocation of the zebras to Maralal Sanctuary where there was adequate forage and water. Immobilisation and relocation Location of the animals was facilitated by residents. The target animals were herded into open ground where they were darted from a vehicle following the standard immobilization protocol for common zebra induction. This involved using a combination of Etorphine Hcl (0.98%) and Azaperone (100mgs/ml) at appropriate dosage depending on the size and age of the zebra. Once the animals were anaesthetized, they were physically restrained and loaded onto the vehicles for translocation to Maralal Sanctuary. The zebras were monitored throughout the exercise and released into the Sanctuary upon reversal of the anaesthetic.
Case 14 – 15th June 2022 Black Rhino
Natural Causes
Ol-Jogi Ranch
The Ol-Jogi team reported that a male black rhino called Bob had suffered multiple wounds after a fight with another rhino.
Immobilisation, examination and treatment He was darted with 3mgs Etorphine and 60mgs Azaperone on the right rump. The drugs took effect in 6 minutes. Bob went down on left lateral recumbency, he was then placed in sternal recumbency and physically restrained. Treatment and anaesthesia monitoring was carried out simultaneously. 10mgs Butorphanol was administered intravenously through the ear vein as supportive treatment to improve breathing. The rhino was noted to have suffered multiple traumatic fight wounds on the right lateral forelimb, abdominal area, hind limb and rump. 15,000mgs Amoxicillin and 2,000mgs Flunixine meglumine was administered intramuscularly. Prognosis Anaesthesia reversal was done with 18 mgs Diprenorphine administered via the ear vein. He was up in 2 minutes. Bob has a good prognosis given his timely treatment.
Case 15 – 19th June 2022 to 28th June 2022 Rhino
Technical cases
Ol-Jogi Ranch
Ear notching of 20 black rhinos and 11 white rhinos was carried out between 19th June 2022 and 28th June 2022 at Ol-Jogi Wildlife Conservancy. Immobilisation and ear notching A total of 31 of rhinos were ear-notched in different areas of the conservancy including the Pyramid area and the main Ranch area. Other activities carried out alongside ear notching included fitting transponders and transmitters that help in rhino identification and monitoring. Samples were also collected for biobanking and active research work on black rhinos.
Case 16 – 27th June 2022 Elephant
Technical Case
Ol-Pejeta, Laikipia
A known male blind elephant was reported to be invading farms and destroying property around the Ol Pejeta area. KWS and Ol-Pejeta management requested the Mt. Kenya Vet. Unit to trim the tusks of the elephant to deter it from fence breaking. Immobilisation, examination and tusk trimming Chemical immobilization done with 17 mgs Etorphine on the right rump. The drug took effect after 10 minutes and the animal went down on left lateral recumbency. The elephant was noted to have a good body condition and corneal opacity in both eyes. A blood sample from the elephant’s jugular vein and ticks from the elephant’s body were collected for laboratory analysis. The tusks were then trimmed using a chainsaw. During the tusk trimming procedure, 20 mgs Etorphine was administered in two equal doses at 1 hour and 1 hour 45 minutes respectively. Anaesthesia reversal was achieved with 84 mgs Diprenorphine, 60 mgs was administered via the ear vein and 24 mgs was administered intramuscularly. The elephant was up in 2 minutes.