SWT/KWS TSAVO MOBILE VETERINARY UNIT JANUARY 2019
Introduction
6 Cases in January
3 Poaching Cases
3 HWC Cases
Report by Jeremiah Poghorn The month of January 2019 witnessed moderate cases of poaching and human-wildlife conflict associated injuries. This month, two elephant carcasses were examined for cause of death in Izera Ranch and Salaita areas of Taita Ranches and Tsavo West National Park respectively. Other cases included treatment of an elephant bull in Ngutuni Conservancy, rescue of an Oryx trapped in Mbololo Standard Gauge Railway Station and euthanasia of a zebra hit by a vehicle along Mombasa- Nairobi highway which sustained fractures. The region is still abundant with forage after last year’s good rains. Temporary water points are slowly drying up and elephants once more will concentrate around the permanent water points in the Park. Acknowledgement The unit acknowledges the support of its sponsors ViER PFOTEN through the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust (SWT) for their immense financial contribution to the unit. We also thank Kenya Wildlife Service through the Assistant director Tsavo Conservation Area and the head, veterinary and capture services department for their support.
Case Details Date
Species
Area Found
Lion
Maktau, Tsavo West
21-Jan-19
Elephant
Taita Ranches, Tsavo
22-Jan-19
Elephant
Tsavo West
23-Jan-19
Elephant
Tsavo East
17-Jan-19
23-Jan-19
Zebra
Tsavo East
24-Jan-19
Oryx, Antelope
Tsavo East
Reason for Intervention Human Wildlife Conflict Poaching Post mortem Poaching Post mortem Arrow Human Wildlife Conflict Human Wildlife Conflict
Outcome
A person was attacked by a lion
HWC Death
The carcass was covered with twigs, an indication of hiding it
Poaching Death
The front face had been chopped off with a sharp object and the tusks missing.
Poaching Death
The elephant bull had an arrow wound on the right chest area which was oozing pus.
Successfully Treated
The zebra’s hind leg appeared fractured and bleeding.
HWC Death
An oryx was stuck in the fence line separating the station and Tsavo East
Successfully Treated
KWS/SWT Tsavo Mobile Vet Unit Treatment Locations January 2019
Case 1 – 17th January 2019 Lion
Human Wildlife Conflict
Maktau, Tsavo West
A report of a person attacked by a Lion near LUMO conservancy in Tsavo West National Park was received and the KWS community service rangers rushed to assess the situation as the veterinary unit was placed on standby. Upon reaching the area the lioness became aggressive and had to be put down as it was about to attack community members and the rangers who were searching for it. It was brought to the vet unit for examination. Autopsy examination revealed broken canines due to old age. Canines are important tools used by predators to kill prey and hence any deformity with them renders the lioness was unable to hunt wild prey hence resorting to easy prey in livestock and at times even humans. This problem is mostly seen in lone lions with no pride-mates to assist in hunting of prey.
Case 2 – 21st January 2019 Elephant
Poaching
Izera ranch, Taita ranches
A report was made by the company commander based at Tsavo East National Park that two elephant carcasses had been spotted near Izera ranch area of Taita ranches after an aerial recce. He made a request for an autopsy to be undertaken. The vet unit travelled to the area by road to the site which is about 35 kilometres away. Post-mortem examination The carcass was lying on the right flank and in an advanced stage of decomposition. The carcass was covered with twigs, an indication of hiding it especially from aircraft that patrol the vast area. There was
no flesh left and only skeleton and skin were examined. The front face had been chopped off with a sharp object and the tusks were missing. Bones were checked and only scavenger bite marks observed. There were no struggle marks around the carcass. The sharp objects marks on the face and covering with twigs indicates likelihood of poaching incident. Carcass placed at 2 months since death. The cause of death could not be diagnosed from autopsy due to advanced autolysis.
Case 3 – 22nd January 2019 Elephant
Poaching
Salaita, Tsavo West National Park
A report was made by the company commander based at Tsavo West National Park that two Elephant carcasses have been spotted near Salaita area of Tsavo West National Park after an aerial recce with request for autopsy examination to be undertaken.
Post-mortem examination The carcass was lying on the right flank and in mid-advanced stage of decomposition with extensive scavenger activity. The front face had been chopped off with a sharp object and the tusks missing. The
chest and abdominal skin had been torn away by scavengers and all internal organs either rotted away or scavenged on. Bones were checked and only scavenger bite marks observed. The skull was checked for cracks but not found apart from the cut marks on the front facial part. There was a sharp arrow like wound on the ramp area penetrating the skin but most of the internal tissues were eaten away by scavengers. There were no struggle marks around the carcass. The sharp object marks on the face and the fact the body had been covered with branches indicates likelihood of poaching incident, though the use of a metal detector did not find any metallic object on the carcass. The cause of death could not be diagnosed from autopsy due to advanced autolysis and extensive scavenger activity.
Case 4 – 23rd January 2019 Elephant
Arrow Wound
Ngutuni, Tsavo East
A tour driver made a report regarding an elephant with an abdominal wound that was swollen and oozing pus which was spotted while drinking water at the Ngutuni Lodge water hole. Immobilisation, examination and treatment Darting equipment and immobilization drugs were prepared, then the elephant was approached by vehicle, but he ran off and was followed for several minutes before being darted on the rump. He was trailed slowly from a distance as he moved off with other bulls and eventually, he went down after 8 minutes. The trunk and the ear were positioned correctly to aid in breathing and water splashed on the ears to keep him cool. The elephant bull had an arrow wound to the right chest area which was oozing pus. The wound was cleaned with water mixed with Hydrogen Peroxide, doused with Tincture of Iodine and sprayed with Oxytetracycline spray. Mid way between the treatments the anaesthesia became light and the bull flapped his ears. As the treatment was nearly through there was no need to administer any additional anaesthetic drug. The wound was finally covered with green clay. The elephant was then administered with long acting antibiotics and Dexamethasone Hcl. Prognosis The anaesthesia was reversed and the bull stood up and walked away calmly. Prognosis for full recovery is good.
Case 5 – 23rd January 2019 Zebra
Human-wildlife Conflict
Ndii, Tsavo East National Park
A report was received from Kenya Wildlife Service Rangers that a zebra was lame, unable to walk and appeared in great pain. On closer examination the zebra’s hind leg appeared fractured and bleeding. The vet team rushed to the area to find the poor animal writhing in pain near a community maize farm with the KWS and SWT rangers close by. Immobilization, examination and treatment The vet team quickly darted the zebra who was fully immobilized after 4 minutes. Quick examination revealed a serious complete fracture of the left hind limb with massive bleeding and contamination. After detailed assessment the complex fracture was deemed irreparable considering his habitat and will certainly lead to great suffering of the animal. On this basis the prognosis of healing was deemed poor and the animal was euthanized on animal welfare grounds. The cause of fracture was thought to be an accident caused by speeding vehicles along the Nairobi - Mombasa highway which was nearby.
Case 6 – 24th January 2019 Oryx, Antelope
Human-Wildlife Conflict
Mbololo SGR station, Tsavo East
A report was received from Kenya Wildlife Service rangers manning the Mbololo SGR station that an oryx was stuck in the fence line separating the station and Tsavo East National Park and was unable to get out. The vet team rushed to the area to find the poor animal writhing in pain with the KWS rangers close by. Immobilization, examination and treatment The oryx was immobilized by darting with 5 mgs of Etorphine Hcl mixed with 50 mgs of Xylazine in a 1.5 cc Dan inject dart. He was fully immobilized after 4 minutes. The oryx was rescued from the electric fence, administered with antibiotics and anti-inflammatory drugs and the wounds on his legs were treated. The oryx was then loaded into a land cruiser and transported into Tsavo East National Park. Prognosis The anaesthesia was reversed and oryx was let free. Prognosis for a full recovery is good.
Report by Dr. Jeremiah Poghorn