SWT/KWS TSAVO MOBILE VETERINARY UNIT MAY 2022
Introduction
7 Cases in May
2 Poaching Cases
3 Elephant Cases
May Report by Dr. Campaign Limo The rains are becoming increasingly scarce in the entire Tsavo conservation area and the fodder availability is rapidly diminishing though still able to sustain grazers and browsers. The water pans are running dry and wildlife are now trekking for long distances to access water. Some of the cases attended to during the month include, an elephant knocked down by a bus, rescue of an elephant calf at Lake Jipe, routine visits and check up on the rescued elephant calf at Voi elephant stockade, treatment of a speared elephant and a snared buffalo. The cases are still low and are expected to rise as the rains delay causing conflicts due to resource competition with community. Acknowledgement The Tsavo Mobile Unit would like to thank all stakeholders who helped in spotting and reporting wild animals that required veterinary intervention. Thanks Vier Pfoten for the continued support of the Unit. Thanks too to KWS management for their technical advice.
Case Details Date
Species
Area Found
Reason for Intervention
Outcome
1-May-22
Elephant
Tsavo East National Park
Human Wildlife Conflict
The hind limbs of the elephant were paralyzed. This elephant had been hit by a fast-moving vehicle while crossing the highway.
HWC Death
1-May-22
Elephant
Tsavo West NP
Rescue
Examination revealed that she had been abandoned for a while
Taken to Orphanage
7-May-22
Buffalo
Tsavo East NP
Snared
Found trapped to a tree trapped by Sheldrick’s de-snaring team.
Successfully Treated
12-May-22
Lion
Tsavo East NP
Natural Causes
This lioness was attacked by buffalos. She was gored on the right side of her abdomen
Died
17-May-22
Zebra
Taita Ranches
Natural Causes
Examination revealed a sprain of his right hind fetlock joint
Successfully Treated
17-May-22
Elephant
Galana Ranch
Spear
His left ear appeared injured with pus oozing from the ear canal. This was a suspected long standing spear injury with sepsis
Poaching Death
28-May-22
Lion
Tsavo East NP
Natural Causes
This lioness was seen with porcupine quills stuck in her head
Successfully Treated
SWT/KWS Tsavo Mobile Vet Unit Treatment Locations May 2022
Case 1 – 1st May 2022 Elephant
Human-Wildlife Conflict
Ndara, Tsavo East NP
The elephant was seen struggling to walk by the community members early in the morning. They informed the KWS Wardens who then notified the TMVU who responded immediately. The hind limbs of the elephant were paralyzed and she dragged them as she struggled to move. She appeared alert and active but with signs of pain. Blood was oozing from the maxilla at the point of the right tusk that had been broken. Epistaxis was also noted. Examination The elephant was already and recumbent and was examined in this position without any anaesthesia. Examination revealed total paralysis of the hindquarters with a broken right upper jaw involving the right tusk. This elephant had been hit by a fast-moving vehicle while crossing the highway. Prognosis and management Due to grave prognosis, this elephant was euthanized to stop her from further suffering.
Case 2 – 1st May 2022 Elephant
Rescue
Lake Jipe, Tsavo West National Park
This baby elephant was spotted by The Sheldrick’s Wildlife Trust Patrol Team at Lake Jipe. She was alone, isolated from the herd and her mother was nowhere to be seen. She looked emaciated with a body score estimated at 2.5 in a scale of 1 to 5 with distended stomach and tenesmus while trying to defecate. Rescue Due to her poor body condition, she was retrained manually with ropes and was loaded onto a truck and brought to Voi stockade. Examination revealed that she had been abandoned for a while and appeared emaciated and stressed. She had a severely distended abdomen a sign of malnourishment and possible high worm load. She was given antibiotics, Dexamethasone anti-inflammatories and Ivermectin parasiticides, all parenterally. Prognosis The prognosis was good as she was active and freely moving around feeding on supplements and shrubs provided. She will remain in the stockade for care.
Case 3 – 7th May 2022 Buffalo
Snared
Yatta, Tsavo East National Park
This buffalo was found snared to a tree by Sheldrick’s de-snaring team. There was evidence of prolonged struggle to free herself from the snare which caused her further injuries.
Immobilisation, examination and treatment She was chemically restrained using a combination of 7mg Etorphine hydrochloride and 60mg Azaperone delivered in 1.5ml Dan inject dart. She was immobilized within 8 minutes. A blindfold was put in place before the snare was removed. The cable wire snare was cut first from the tree to relieve tension to avoid further injury to the limb then remove d from the limb. The snare was on the left hind leg. Anti-inflammatories and antibiotics were given accordingly and she was then revived using 24mg Diprenorphine, given intravenously through the ear vein. It took about 9 minutes to for her to wake up and was let go to join the herd. Prognosis Prognosis was good, she had little bruises and pain due to straining but expected to recover fast.
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Case 4 – 12th May 2022 Lion
Natural Causes
Aruba Windmill, Tsavo East NP
This lioness was attacked by buffalos near the Aruba watering point. She was gored on the right side of her abdomen. The lioness was very emaciated and weak. The body condition was estimated at 1.5 in a scale of 1-5. She had difficulty in breathing and wobbling while walking. The intestinal loops were hanging out. Immobilisation, examination and treatment The lion was chemically restrained using 4.5mg Medetomidine and 250mg Ketamine given through hand injection. She was fully anaesthetized after 12 minutes. Both large and small intestines were protruding from the penetrating wound communicating with the peritoneum. The intestines were still viable, though congested and contaminated after being dragged on the ground. The intestinal blood vessels were prominent and hemorrhages were observed on the surface of the intestines. The intestinal loops were handled gently and cleaned using sterile water. Normal saline was used to moisten the loops then they were gently retracted back to the peritoneum, section by section until the loops were fully located at their anatomical position. Antibiotics and pain relievers were administered. Prognosis and management She was then revived using but died soon after. She died as a result of shock from acute peritonitis.
Case 5 – 17th May 2022 Zebra
Natural Causes
Izera Ranch, Taita
The zebra was observed to have difficulty walking by the Wildlife Works Rangers and an Aerial Patrol Team. This zebra was very elusive hence difficult to be approached by truck or on foot hence the SWT helicopter was mobilized for aerial darting. The zebra was observed to be limping on the right hind limb, the tail tip had sloughed off. He was in good body condition and in the company of four mares and one foal. Immobilisation, examination and treatment He was chemically restrained using a combination of 7mg Etorphine chloride and 80mg Azaperone delivered through a 3ml daninject dart. Examination revealed a sprain on his right hind fetlock joint. He was given anti-inflammatories and reversed. No other injury was seen. Prognosis The anaesthetic was reversed with 24mg Diprenorphine hydrochloride delivered through the jugular vein. He woke up two minutes post reversal and galloped towards the waiting zebra herd. Prognosis is good. No pictures available for this case.
Case 6 – 17th May 2022 Elephant
Spear
Galana Ranch
This elephant was seen recumbent at Galana ranch close to the Galana River by KWS Rangers and Sheldrick de-snaring team while on their daily patrols. The Vet Unit found him lying on his right side with signs of struggle at the scene. His left ear appeared injured with pus oozing from the ear canal. This was a suspected long standing spear injury with sepsis. The infection progressed all the way leading to otitis internal and possible central nervous system involvement. Immobilisation, examination and treatment This elephant was restrained by a low dose (2mgs) of Etorphine as he appeared severely compromised. Examination revealed a severely infected left ear leading to serious complications. The affected ear was cleaned and necrotic debris removed using dilute Hydrogen peroxide. Disinfection was done with tincture of Iodine. Other treatments given include Amoxicillin and Dexamethasone anti-inflammatory. Dextrose 50% was given intravenously to boost energy. Prognosis He was then reversed with 12mgs Diprenorphine and assisted to stand with ropes. Despite all the effort, he succumbed after making two attempts. The infection was advanced and had extended to the brain.
Case 7 – 28th May 2022 Lion
Natural Causes
Pipeline, Tsavo East National Park
This lioness was seen with porcupine quills tuck on her head by a tour guide. She was with her sister but appearing to be in great pain. He notified the mobile veterinary unit who responded immediately. She was found moving along the road with her sister. The quills were seen stuck on much of her face. A few of the quills were seen on her neck and chest. She kept o shaking her head attempting to shed the quills off.
Immobilisation, examination and treatment Restraint was achieved chemically with a combination of 6mgs Medetomidine hydrochloride and 200mgs Ketamine hydrochloride delivered through a 3ml dan-inject dart. Darting was done from a vehicle with this lioness becoming fully anaesthetized after ten minutes. She had tightly stuck porcupine quills on her head. The quills were pulled out and the wounds disinfected with tincture of Iodine. Additionally, the lioness received Amoxicillin antibiotic injection and Dexamethasone sodium anti-inflammatories, all given intramuscularly. Prognosis Prognosis was good.