RIFT VALLEY MOBILE VETERINARY
SWT/KWS
UNIT JULY 2022
July 9 Poaching Cases 93% Success
July Report by Dr. Titus Kaitho
The Central Rift Conservation Area was generally dry in July. Nights and mornings were mostly cold with temperatures rising slightly during the day. Evenings on the other hand were chilly and windy. 15 cases were handled by the Rift Valley Mobile Vet Unit in July. 9 of these cases involved animals that were snared, this included a spotted hyena that fell victim to a snare meant for plains game. Other cases attended to in July included the replacement of a non functional collar on a lioness in Soysambu Conservancy to mitigate human carnivore conflict and 2 post mortem examinations one on a verreaux eagle and another on a white rhino calf. 93% of all cases attended to in July were successful.
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 the support received from KWS in terms of approvals for lion collaring as well as personnel and equipment to ensure that the exercise was a success. We also acknowledge the Wildlife Research & Training Institute (WRTI) for hosting the Rift Valley Mobile Vet Unit at WRTI and for its collaboration with KWS in undertaking disease surveillance in the landscape. Soysambu Conservancy is also acknowledged for facilitating the lion collaring exercise and for providing the satellite collar. We sincerely thank all the stakeholders and scouts who reported wildlife in distress. Thank you all.
15 Cases in
Introduction
Case
Date Species Area Found
07 July 22 Zebra WRTI, Naivasha HWC
09 July 22 Eagle Hells Gate, Naivasha HWC
Intervention
Knocked down by a vehicle Died
Crash landed in Hell’s Gate N.P. 08/07/22 and died the following day Task successful
11 July 22 Zebra Kedong Ranch Snared Lameness on the front left leg Treated successfully.
12 July 22 Zebra Mirera , Naivasha Snared
13 July 22 Hyena Longonot, Naivasha
Wounded by a winch wire snare on its right hind leg. Cuts on the left abdomen and neck Treated successfully.
Snared Tethered to a tree by a winch wire snare Treated successfully.
14 July 22 Buffalo Kedong Ranch Natural Causes
15 July 22 Rhino Lake Nakuru N.P.
Post mortem
Fractured left hind leg Treated successfully.
Rhino calf that had suffered a severe injury was found dead Task successful.
18 July 22 Lion Soysambu Conservancy Collaring Replacement of a non functional collar on a lioness called Beatrice Task successful.
18 July 22 Zebra Manera Farm Snared Snared by a winch wire on the front left leg Treated successfully.
18 July 22 Zebra Aquilla Farm Snared
Snared on the right front leg by a long winch wire Task successful.
19 July 22 Zebra Olmurogi, Gilgil Snared Snared by a wire on the right hind leg Treated successfully.
20 July 22 Zebra Nini Farm Snared Wounded on the left hind leg by a snare Treated successfully.
25 July 22 to 28 July 22 Warthog Central Rift Conservation Area Research/ Survey Disease surveillance Task successful.
27 July 22 Buffalo Lentolia Conservancy Snared Snared by a wire on the neck Task successful.
28 July 22 Buffalo Kedong Ranch Snared
Wounded on the on the left front leg by a winch wire Treated successfully.
Reason for
Outcome
Details
SWT/KWS Rift Valley Mobile Vet Unit Treatment Locations July 2022
Zebra Human – Wildlife Conflict
WRTI – Main Gate
The Wildlife Research & Training Institute (WRTI) security team reported that a zebra had been knocked down by a vehicle near the WRTI main gate.
Examination
The zebra was knocked down at night. It was found to have suffered fractures of the pelvis, hind legs and spine. It could not stand up and a gaping/ open wound was observed on the ventral abdomen
Prognosis
Given its poor prognosis, the zebra was physically restrained and put to rest with 4,000 mg Sodium pentobarb itone given intravenously. The carcass was safely disposed at WRTI main campus bushland.
Case 1 07th July 2022
Eagle Human Wildlife Conflict
Kilimandege Bird Sanctuary
The Senior Warden Hell’s Gate National Park reported that a black eagle/ verreaux eagle had crash landed in the park at Oljorowa Rangers Post on 08th July 2022 at about 5.30 6.00 PM. At midday the following day, the bird was reported dead and taken to Kilimandege Bird Sanctuary for post mortem examination.
Post-mortem Examination
The general post mortem findings were:
The bird was in good body condition.
No fracture was observed on the wings or legs
The bird was a mature adult male.
Rigor mortis had set in.
Upon opening the carcass, the following were the general findings:
Cloudiness of the air sacs
The crop was full of ingesta meat
The bird’s crop contents, which were later frozen, and a liver sample were taken for toxicological investigation.
Plausible cause of death
Accidental poisoning by agrochemicals
Natural death due to old age
Case 2 09th July 2022
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2022
Zebra Snared Kedong Ranch
The Rift Valley Vet Unit noticed the lame zebra while on patrol in Kedong ranch The zebra was darted with 5 mg Etorphine and 60 mg Ketamine. Physical examination revealed that its lameness was due to inflammation and soft tissue injury on the front left leg caused by a wire snare that had self released. 6,000 mg Alamycin and 800 mg Phenylbutazone were administered intramuscularly while 4 ml Noromectin was administered subcutaneously. Anaesthesia was reversed with 24 mg Diprenorphine injected intramuscularly and intravenously. The zebra has a good prognosis.
Case 4 12th July 2022
Zebra Snared
Mirera – Jaguar petrol station area
This case was reported by the Naivasha Sub County Warden. The zebra was darted with 5 mg Etorphine and 60 mg Ketamine. The animal had been wounded by a winch wire snare on its right hind leg. It also had cuts on the left abdomen and neck that had been inflicted by a sharp object. The wounds were cleaned with water and rinsed with Iodine then covered with Alamycin. 6,000 mgs Amoxicillin, 1,000 mgs Phenylbutazone and 30 ml Catasol were administered intramuscularly followed by 6 ml Ivermectin subcutaneously. Anaesthesia was reversed with 24 mg Diprenorphine given via the IV & IM route. Prognosis for this case is guarded.
Case 3 11th July
Hyena Snared
Longonot Horticulture Farm
Hell’s Gate National Park management reported that a hyena had been tethered to a tree by a winch wire snare. The hyena was darted with 3 mg Etorphine and 50 mg Ketamine. It had sustained wounds on the neck. The wounds were cleaned with water and Iodine then an antibiotic wound spray was applied. 3,000 mg Amoxicillin and 250 mg Flunixin Meglumine were administered intramuscularly. Reversal of anaesthesia was achieved with 200 mg Naltrexone administered intravenously and intramuscularly. The hyena was transported to Hell’s Gate National Park and released. It has a good prognosis.
Case 6 - 14th July 2022
Buffalo Natural Causes
Kedong Ranch
While on patrol in Kedong Ranch, the Rift Valley Vet Unit stumbled upon a buffalo calf with a fractured left hind leg which had been reported earlier by Ms Ellis of Impala Estate. The calf was darted with 5 mg Etorphine and 50 mg Ketamine. The fractured left hind leg was observed to be healing with malunion. 1,000 mg Phenylbutazone and 6,000 mg Alamycin was administered intramuscularly. 6 ml Noromectin was administered subcutaneously then anaesthesia was reversed with 24 mg Diprenorphine administered intramuscularly and intravenously. The calf has a favourable prognosis.
Case 5 13th July 2022
Rhino Post mortem
Lake Nakuru National Park
The Rift Valley Vet Unit was called to attend to a rhino calf that had suffered severe injury, but on arrival it was established that the calf had passed on 5 6 hours earlier and rigor mortis had set it.
Post mortem Examination
The general post mortem findings were:
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The rhino carcass was lying on sternal recumbency. The carcass was found on Muyas Causeway within the Park.
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The rhinoceros had a good body condition (4 out of 5).
▪ No major external wound was noted.
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The rhino carcass had bite wounds on the neck, head and tail. She had lost part of the tail.
The carcass was moved to a nearby rhino security camp for detailed examination.
The specific post mortem findings were:
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A fracture of the right hind leg femur bone. The leg had a complete fracture.
▪ Massive blood clots at the fracture point
Cause of death
The cause of death was traumatic injury leading to a complete fracture of the femur and irreversible damage to the leg muscles and tissues. The injury sustained by this rhino was fatal due to massive blood loss (internal haemorrhage) leading to hypovolemic shock and death.
Case 7 15th July 2022
Lion Collaring Soysambu Conservancy
The Rift Valley Mobile Vet Unit facilitated the replacement of a collar on a lioness called Beatrice in Soysambu Conservancy. The exercise was geared towards mitigating human carnivore conflict in Soysambu and its environs since the resident pride has a chequered history of preying on livestock.
The Soysambu pride comprises 3 females and a solitary lioness that joins the trio occasionally. There are no male lions in the Conservancy. These lions are known to be very elusive and do not respond to call back stations.
Immobilization & collaring
The lioness was darted with 300 mg Ketamine and 4 mg Medetomidine, but she had to be darted again with the same dosage since the first dart was not effective. Full immobilization was achieved after 20 minutes. The old non functional collar was removed and a new collar was deployed. 3,000 mg Amoxicillin was then injected intramuscularly to counter capture stress and a fly repellent was applied on the dart site. Anaesthesia was reversed with 250 mg Atipamizole after 60 minutes.
Case 8 18th July 2022
Zebra Snared Manera Farm
An informer at KARLO reported a zebra snared by a winch wire on the front left leg.
The zebra was darted with 5 mg Etorphine and 60 mg Ketamine. It was wounded by the winch wire snare on the front left leg. The wound was cleaned with water and rinsed with Iodine then sprayed with Alamycin fly repellent. 12,000 mg Alamycin, 1,000 mg Phenylbutazone and 30 ml Catasol were administered intramuscularly. 6 ml Noromectin was also injected subcutaneously. Anaesthesia was reversed with 24 mg Diprenorphine given intramuscularly and intravenously. The zebra has a favourable prognosis
Case 10 18th July 2022
Zebra Snared
Aquilla Farm
A zebra snared on the right front leg was reported by Aquilla farm security staff. It was darted with 5 mg Etorphine and 60 mg Ketamine. Fortunately, the long winch wire snare had not yet inflicted a wound on the leg. The snare was removed then anaesthesia was reversed with 24 mg Diprenorphine injected intravenously and intramuscularly. This Zebra was de snared early enough and saved from acquiring a wound and consequently a severe injury. It has a good prognosis.
Case 9 18th July 2022
July 2022
Zebra Snared
Kenya Nut Olmurogi
The Rift Valley Vet Unit came across a sub adult male zebra snared by a wire on the right hind leg while on patrol. The zebra was darted with 3mg Etorphine and 50mg Ketamine. A wound inflicted by the snare was observed on the right hind leg. The wound was cleaned with water and rinsed with Iodine then sprayed with fly repellent. 9,000mg Alamycinm, 800mg Phenylbutazone and 20ml Catasol was administered intramuscularly. 4 ml Noromectin was also injected subcutaneously. Anaesthesia was reversed with 24 mg Diprenorphine given via IV and IM route. The zebra has a favourable prognosis.
Case 12 20th July 2022
Zebra Snared
Nini Farm
A male zebra wounded on left hind leg was seen by Nini farm’s security guards and reported by the farm’s management. The zebra was darted with 5mg Etorphine and 60mg Ketamine. The snared left hind leg had a deep septic wound with pockets of pus. The pus was drained then the wound was cleaned with water and rinsed with Iodine. Alamycin fly repellent was sprayed on the wound then 6,000mg Amoxicillin, 1,000mg Phenylbutazone and 30ml Catasol were administered intramuscularly and 5 ml Noromectin injected subcutaneously. Anasthesia was reversed with 24 mg Diprenorphine. The zebra has a favourable prognosis.
Case 11 19th
Disease surveillance in collaboration with Wildlife Research Training Institute
The Rift Valley Vet Unit supported Wildlife Research Training Institute (WRTI) staff in undertaking disease surveilllance from 25th to 28th July 2022.
The objective was active surveillance of african swine fever, foot & mouth disease, rift valley fever, brucellosis among other diseases. Blood samples and parasites were collected from 27 warthogs captured by the net capture method.
Case 14 – 27th July 2022
Buffalo Snared Lentolia Conservancy
A male buffalo with a wire snare on its neck was reported by Lentolia Conservancy wildlife scouts The buffalo was darted with 6 mg Etorphine and 50 mg Ketamine. Fortunately, no injury was seen on the neck. The snare was removed then anaesthesia was reversed with 36 mg Diprenorphine administered intravenously and intramuscularly. The bufallo was not injured by the snare, it therefore has a good prognosis.
Case 13 25th to 28th July 2022
Buffalo Snared Kedong Ranch
Immobilisation, examination and treatment
The buffalo was immobilized with 7mg Etorphine and 50mg Ketamine. The winch wire snare was deeply embedded into granulating tissue. The wound was cleaned with water and rinsed with Iodine. A fly repellant was then sprayed onto the wound. 12,000mg Alamycin and 1,000mg Phenylbutazone were administered intramuscularly and 5ml Noromectin injected subcutaneously. Reversal of anaesthesia was achieved with 48mg Diprenorphine given intravenously and intramuscularly.
Prognosis
The buffalo has a favourable prognosis.
Case 15 28th July 2022
Impala area Kedong Ranch security staff reported a male buffalo wounded on the on the left front leg by a winch wire.
Training at Lake Naivasha Resort on 12th July 2022 and 13th July 2022
On 12th July 2022 and 13th July 2022, the Rift Valley Mobile Vet Unit attended a workshop on effective prevention, detection, and response to disease outbreak threats and operationalization of Nakuru County One Health Unit. The workshop was facilitated by Global Implementation Solutions (GIS) and Zoonotic Disease Unit.
