SWT/KWS Rift Valley Mobile Veterinary Report for September2022

September Report by Dr. Titus Kaitho

In September, some rain was received in the areas south and north of Lake Naivasha as well as the Central Rift Conservation Area in general. The Rift Valley Mobile Veterinary Unit attended to 19 cases in September, 15 of these cases involved animals that had been snared and wounded. Most of the snare victims were zebras. However, 2 giraffes, a buffalo, a warthog and an impala were also de snared and treated. Additionally, the Vet Unit attended to a security dog at the WRTI Canine Unit, a horse in Mt. Elgon National Park and an African fish eagle that was rescued from drowning in Lake Naivasha. All these cases were treated successfully.

Acknowledgement

We sincerely thank Sheldrick Wildlife Trust (SWT) and FIGS for their support and sponsorship. We also acknowledge Angela Sheldrick, CEO SWT, for her unwavering support and interest in the work undertaken by the Vet Unit. Additionally, we appreciate Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) for proving equipment, coordination and managerial oversight. We also acknowledge the Wildlife Research & Training Institute (WRTI) for hosting the Rift Valley Mobile Vet Unit at WRTI. We sincerely thank all stakeholders and scouts who reported wildlife in distress. Thank you all.

14 Sep 22 Horse

Chorlim Gate Mt. Elgon N.P. Natural Causes Severe trauma and large wounds on the legs and flank after a serious bout of colic Treated successfully

16 Sep 22 Zebra Kedong Ranch Snared Wounded by a snare on the neck Treated successfully

16 Sep 22 Zebra Kedong Ranch Snared Wounded by a snare on the left hind leg Treated successfully

19 Sep 22 Zebra Kedong Ranch Snared Long wire snare around the neck Task successfully

20 Sep 22 Rhino Lake Nakuru N.P. Post mortem Post mortem on a 10 year old black rhino called Obuya Died

20 Sep 22 Giraffe Crater Lake Conservancy Snared Wounded by a snare on the right front limb

Prognosis Poor 23 Sep 22 Zebra Simba Lodge Snared Snared on its left hind leg and several wounds on the legs from a territorial fight Treated successfully

23 Sep 22 Buffalo Mt. Longonot N.P. Snared Long winch wire snare around the neck Treated successfully 23 Sep 22 Impala Loldia Farm Snared Wounded by a snare around the abdomen Treated successfully

28 Sep 22 Zebra Kedong Ranch Snared Wounded by a snare around the neck Treated successfully.

29 Sep 22 Eagle Kamere Beach Lake Naivasha Natural Causes Unable to fly and rescued from drowning in Lake Naivasha Taken to Orphanage

30 Sep 22 Zebra Kedong Ranch Snared Wounded by a snare on the left hind leg Treated successfully

Zebra Snared Inca Homes Area Kedong Ranch

This case was reported by our informer near Inca homes

Immobilisation, examination and treatment

The zebra had been snared with a winch wire snare and wounded on the right hind leg. It was darted with 5mg Etorphine and 50mg Ketamine.

The snare was removed then the wound was cleaned with water and rinsed with Iodine A fly repellent was sprayed topically. 12,000mg Oxytetracycline, 1,000mg Phenylbutazone and 30 ml Catosol were administered intramuscularly while 6 ml Ivermectin was injected subcutaneously. Anaesthesia was then reversed with 75mg Naltrexone given by IV & IM route.

The zebra had been weakened by the drought and it had to be supported to rise. Fluid therapy was therefore administered intravenously with 500 ml 0.9% normal saline and 500 ml 5% glucose.

Prognosis

The zebra has a guarded prognosis.

10th September 2022

Zebra

Snared Impala Area – Kedong Ranch

This case was reported by the Kedong ranch residence security team. The zebra was darted with 5mg Etorphine and 50 mg Ketamine. It had been snared with a winch wire and wounded on the right front leg. The snare was removed then the wound was cleaned with water and rinsed with Iodine. A fly repellent was sprayed topically. 12,000 mg Oxytetracycline, 1,000 mg Phenylbutazone and 30 ml Catosol were administered intramuscularly. 6 ml Ivermectin was also administered subcutaneously. Anaesthesia was then reversed with 75 mg Naltrexone given by IV & IM route. The zebra has a good prognosis.

Case 3 10th September 2022

Warthog

Snared Kongoni Police Station

This case was reported by Officer Commanding Station (OCS) Kongoni Police Station.

Immobilisation, examination and treatment

The male warthog had been snared with a winch wire on the neck and the snout. The animal was darted with 4mg Etorphine and 50mg Ketamine. Fortunately, no wound(s) had been sustained. Anaesthesia was reversed with 75mg Naltrexone given by IV & IM route. The warthog has a good prognosis.

Zebra

Snared Aquilla Farm

This case was reported by the Aquilla Farm security team. The zebra was darted with 5 mg Etorphine and 50 mg Ketamine. It had been snared with a winch wire snare and wounded on the right front leg.

The snare was removed then the wound was cleaned with water and rinsed with Iodine. A fly repellent was sprayed topically. 6,000 mg Amoxicillin, 1,000 mg Phenylbutazone and 30 ml Catosol were administered intramuscularly. 6 ml Ivermectin was also administered subcutaneously. Anaesthesia was then reversed with 75 mg Naltrexone given by IV & IM route. The zebra has a good prognosis.

Case 5 10th September 2022

Zebra

Snared

Aquilla Farm

This case was reported by the Aquilla Farm security team. The zebra was darted with 5 mg Etorphine and 50 mg Ketamine. It had been snared with a winch wire snare and wounded on the left front leg. The snare was removed then the wound was cleaned with water and rinsed with Iodine. A fly repellent was sprayed topically. 6,000 mg Amoxicillin, 1,000 mg Phenylbutazone and 30 ml Catosol were administered intramuscularly. 6 ml Ivermectin was also administered subcutaneously. Anaesthesia was then reversed with 75 mg Naltrexone given by IV & IM route. The zebra has a guarded prognosis due to the severity of the injury.

th September 2022

Security Dog Natural Causes

WRTI Canine Unit

This case was reported by the Canine Unit Security staff. The security dog, called Beppo, exhibited a limping gait. She had suffered a traumatic injury resulting in myalgia and inflammation. The left front leg at the carpal joint was point of injury.

Treatment was administered as follows: 1.5 ml PENISTREP 20/20 (Procaine benzylpenicillin 20000iu. Dihydrostreptomycin sulphate 200mg) for 3/7 days; 2 mg Dexamethasone by SQ route (3/7 days); and 4 ml Catasol® by SQ route for 3/7 days Beppo was reviewed post treatment and the recovery was excellent She has a good prognosis.

Case 7 13th September 2022

Giraffe

Snared Mundui Wildlife Conservancy

This case was reported by Mundui Wildlife Conservancy Scouts. The giraffe was immobilized with 13 mg Etorphine and 50 mg Ketamine dart. The giraffe had been snared with a wire on the right front leg which had minor lacerations. The snare was removed then 12,000 mg Oxytetracycline and 2,000 mg Phenylbutazone were administered intramuscularly. Anaesthesia was reversed with 60 mg Diprenorphine given by IV and IM route. The giraffe has a good prognosis.

Horse Natural Causes Chorlim Gate – Mt. Elgon National Park

This case was reported by Mt Elgon Nation Park management.

Immobilisation, examination and treatment

The horse called “Flamingo” had suffered severe trauma and large wounds on the legs and flank after a serious bout of colic. As a result of this visceral pain, she kept rolling and butting which caused a lot of self inflicted injuries and multiple wounds measuring 5 to 12 cm in diameter at various points.

The wounds had purulent exudate. In order to examine and treat Flamingo safely, standing sedation with 4 mg of medetomidine was necessary. The wounds were cleaned with water, rinsed with Iodine and sprayed with a fly repellent. Medication administered included 25 ml PENISTREP 20/20 injected intramuscularly for (5/7 days); 500 mg Flunixin Meglumine by IM route; 40 ml Catasol by IM route and 9 ml Ivermectin injected subcutaneously. Anaesthesia was reversed with 15 mg Atipamizole given by IM route

Prognosis

Flamingo has a guarded prognosis.

Zebra

Snared Kedong Ranch

This case was reported by SWT KWS De snaring Unit. The zebra foal had been snared with a wire snare and wounded on the neck. The foal was darted with 2.5 mg Etorphine and 25 mg Ketamine. The wounds were cleaned with water, rinsed with Iodine then sprayed with a fly repellent. 1,500 mg Amoxicillin and 400 mg Phenylbutazone were administered intramuscularly and 2 ml Ivermectin injected subcutaneously. Anaesthesia was reversed with 100 mg Naltrexone given by IV & IM route. The foal was re united with its mother after treatment. The foal has a good prognosis.

Case 10 16th September 2022

Zebra

Snared Kedong Ranch

This case was reported by the SWT KWS De snaring Unit. The zebra was darted with 5 mg Etorphine and 50 mg Ketamine. The zebra had been snared with a plastic trap and wounded on the left hind leg. The snare was removed then the wound was cleaned with water and rinsed with Iodine. A fly repellent was sprayed topically. 12,000 mg Oxytetracycline and 1,000 mg Phenylbutazone were administered intramuscularly. 6 ml Ivermectin was also administered subcutaneously. Anaesthesia was then reversed with 75 mg Naltrexone given by IV & IM route. The zebra has a good prognosis.

Zebra Snared Kedong Ranch

A zebra mare with a long wire snare around its neck was reported by Kedong Ranch resident’s staff Immobilisation, examination and treatment

The zebra was darted with 5 mg Etorphine and 60 mg Ketamine. The snare had not inflicted any injury. Once the snare was removed, anaesthesia was reversed with 75 mg Naltrexone given by IV & IM route. The zebra mare was then reunited with its foal The zebra has a good prognosis

Carcass of a zebra killed by a snare in Kedong Ranch and found by the Vet Unit on 19th September 2022

On 19th September 2022 during the evening hours, Lake Nakuru National Park management reported that a 10 year old black rhino known as Obuya was wounded.

General post mortem findings

i) The rhino carcass was lying on right lateral recumbency. The lower and upper horns were present.

ii) The rhinoceros had a good body condition, body condition score of 4/5

iii) Skin lacerations were observed on the right front leg and on the right hind leg both had occurred less than 3 days prior.

Other additional findings:

i) The carcass was screened for anthrax the result was Negative

ii) The carcass was screen for hemoparasites and was declared clean

Specific post mortem findings

i) Fibrin on the surface of the lungs

ii) Adhesions of the lungs to some parts of the chest cavity.

iii) Lung emphysema frothy exudate and hepatization of the same.

iv) Muscles which had degenerated into pus (pyogenic area) on the right chest wall

Cause of death

Respiratory failure due to severe fibrinous pneumonia caused Obuya’s death.

Rhino Post mortem Nyuki Campsite – Lake Nakuru N.P.

Giraffe

2022

Snared Crater Lake Conservancy

This case was reported by Crater Lake Conservancy staff. The giraffe was darted with 13 mg Etorphine and 60 mg Ketamine. The giraffe had been snared with a winch wire and wounded. The snare wound was maggot infested. The snare was removed then the wound was cleaned with water and rinsed with Iodine. A fly repellent was sprayed topically. 18,000 mg Oxytetracycline, 1,000 mg, Flunixin meglumine and 40 ml Catosol were administered intramuscularly. 10 ml Ivermectin was also administered subcutaneously. Anaesthesia was then reversed with 60 mg Naltrexone given by IV & IM route. The giraffe has a guarded prognosis.

Case 14 23rd September 2022

Zebra Snared Simba Lodge

This case was reported by the KWS Sub County Warden. The zebra was darted with 5 mg Etorphine and 50 mg Ketamine. The zebra had a wire snare on left hind leg and had sustained several wounds on the legs from a territorial fight. The snare was removed then the wounds were cleaned with water and rinsed with Iodine. A fly repellent was sprayed topically. 9,000 mg Oxytetracycline were 1,000 mg Phenylbutazone were administered intramuscularly while 6 ml Ivermectin was injected subcutaneously. Anaesthesia was then reversed with 75 mg Naltrexone given by IV & IM route. The zebra has a good prognosis.

Buffalo Snared Mt. Longonot National Park

This case was reported by the KWS Warden Mt. Longonot National Park

Immobilisation, examination and treatment

The buffalo a long winch wire snare around the neck. Fortunately, no neck injury seen. The animal was darted with 9 mg Etorphine and 50 mg Ketamine. The snare was removed then anaesthesia was reversed with 100 mg Naltrexone given by IV & IM route. The buffalo has a good prognosis

Case 16 23rd September 2022

Impala

Snared

Loldia Farm

This case was reported by Lodia Farm Security Staff. The impala had been snared around the abdomen with a wire and was wounded. It was darted with 2.5mg Etorphine and 1mg Medetomidine. The snare was removed then the wound around the waist was cleaned with water and rinsed with Iodine. A fly repellent was sprayed topically. 450mg Amoxicillin and 50mg Flunixin meglumine were administered intramuscularly then anaesthesia was reversed with 5mg Atipamezole. The impala has a good prognosis

Zebra Snared Kedong Ranch

The Rift Valley Mobile Veterinary Unit came across this case while on routine patrol in the ranch. The zebra was darted with 4 mg Etorphine and 50 mg Ketamine. The zebra has a snare around the neck which had a wound. The snare was removed then the wound around the waist was cleaned with water and rinsed with Iodine. A fly repellent was sprayed topically. 3,000 mg Amoxicillin and 600 mg Phenylbutazone were administered intramuscularly then anaesthesia was reversed with 75 mg Naltrexone given by IV & IM route. The zebra has a good prognosis.

Case 18 29th September 2022

Eagle Natural Causes Kamere Beach – Lake Naivasha

An African fish eagle was rescued from drowning in Lake Naivasha by fishermen in Korongo area. The bird was moved to Kilimandege Bird sanctuary for examination, treatment and post treatment care. It was restrained manually with a towel and examined. The eagle was unable to fly and was not eating. No bone fractures were seen. 75 mg Amoxicillin and 1 mg Dexamethasone were administered subcutaneously. 10 ml 5% glucose solution and 10 ml Ringer’s Lactate were given orally. The eagle has a good prognosis

Zebra Snared Kedong Ranch

Immobilisation, examination and treatment

The zebra had a nylon rope snare on its left hind leg. It was darted with 5mg Etorphine and 50mg Ketamine. The snare was removed then the wound it had inflicted was cleaned with water and rinsed with Iodine. A fly repellent was sprayed topically. 9,000mg Oxytetracycline and 8mg Dexamethasone were then administered intramuscularly, 6ml Ivermectin was also injected subcutaneously. Anaesthesia was reversed with 75 mg Naltrexone given by IV & IM route.

Prognosis

The zebra has a good prognosis.

The Rift Valley Mobile Veterinary Unit came across this case while searching for another zebra with a snare around its neck.