SWT/KWS TSAVO MOBILE VETERINARY UNIT APRIL 2022
Introduction
10 Cases in April
4 Poaching Cases
4 Elephant Cases
April Report by Dr. Campaign Limo and Jeremiah Poghon The area experienced moderate showers in the later days of the month with adequate fodder for the browsers and grazers. Cases included the post-mortem of an iconic elephant bull “Tolstoy” who died of complications after being speared in Amboseli, treatment of another bull with a spear wound and a calf with a snare wound and post-mortems of an elephant and a leopard. A zebra was also treated for snare wounds and a giraffe was attended to twice after becoming trapped in a fence. A buffalo and a lion were also treated for injuries due to natural causes. Acknowledgement The Tsavo Mobile Veterinary Unit would like to thank all stakeholders who assisted in reporting and monitoring cases requiring veterinary intervention during the month. Many thanks to Vier Pfoten through SWT for continuous support to the unit. Thanks too to KWS management for the technical advice to the unit.
Case Details Date
Species
Area Found
4-Apr-22
Buffalo
Tsavo East NP
Natural Causes
Stuck in mud, struggling to walk and stand with injuries consistent with lion attack
Died
5-Apr-22
Elephant
Shimba Hills Reserve
Snared
tight wire snare around its front limb and dragging a long wire and a twig
Successfully Treated
10-Apr-22
Leopard
Tsavo West NP
Postmortem
The carcass had started to decompose
Died
13-Apr-22
Zebra
Tsavo East NP
Snared
She was found with a wire round her neck which had caused some wound
Successfully Treated
16-Apr-22
Giraffe
Tsavo West NP
HWC
He had been trapped on the fence wire by her left hind limb while trying to cross
Prognosis Poor
16-Apr-22
Elephant
Kaluku
Spear
The bull had a good body condition. Had deep septic wound at the right rump.
Successfully Treated
17-Apr-22
Giraffe
Tsavo West NP
HWC
He was found on right lateral recumbency and had difficulty in breathing
HWC Death
19-Apr-22
Lion
Taita Ranches
Natural Causes
This cub was observed to have difficulties in walking and was dragging her hind limbs
Died
23-Apr-22
Elephant
Taita Ranches
Postmortem
It had started to decompose. Rectal and virginal prolapses were observed
Died
28-Apr-22
Elephant
Kimana Sanctuary
Spear
Had been treated for a septic spear wound on the left carpal joint but deteriorated
Poaching Death
Reason for Intervention
Outcome
SWT/KWS Tsavo Mobile Vet Unit Treatment Locations April 2022
Case 1 – 4th April 2022 Buffalo
Natural Causes
Dida-Harea, Tsavo East NP
The buffalo became stuck in water overnight and had difficulty in walking and standing. Both hind limbs had laceration wounds and suspected lion bite wounds.
Immobilisation, examination and treatment The buffalo was tied by the horns using the rope and was pulled out of the mud using the car. The buffalo, upon stepping on the hard surface, attempted to stand but failed due to damage of the left hind limb hock joints and tendons. The right hind limb had a complete fracture of the tibia and fibula bones hence the animal was in a lot of pain from a suspected lion attack. Feacal samples were collected for parasites egg count and identification, blood samples collected for haematology tests. Prognosis Due to the pain and nature of the damage as well as the time it would take to heal the buffalo was euthanized to prevent further suffering.
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Case 2 – 5th April 2022 Elephant
Snare
Shimba Hills, Kwale
The elephant calf was reported by the honorary Warden Shimba Hills National Reserve as she had a tight wire snare around its front limb and dragging a long wire and a twig. The mother was close by protecting her. The snare was cutting deep into the limp nearly severing it and the calf was in great pain. The Vet team was airlifted by the SWT helicopter to the area and easily located the mother and calf. Immobilisation, examination and treatment Due to the thick vegetation and challenging terrain, the mother elephant was darted in the rump with 16mgs Etorphine. The mother went down after 8 minutes and then the calf was physically captured and restrained. The wire snare on the left front limb was cut loose, then the wound was cleaned with Hydrogen peroxide mixed with water, then doused with tincture of Iodine and covered with green clay. The calf was also given long-acting antibiotics and anti-inflammatories. The calf was transported and reunited with her mother and both woken up by administration of Diprenorphine at 3 times the Etorphine dose. Prognosis They both stood up and walked away calmly. Prognosis is good.
Case 3 – 10th April 2022 Leopard
Post-mortem
Manyani, Tsavo West NP
The carcass was seen by trainees in the ticket behind the Nyati barracks. The carcass was approximately 3days old. The leopard is reported to have two juvenile cubs. Post-mortem examination The carcass had started to decompose and putrefaction gases had started accumulating on tissues. Had poor body condition with a score of 2.0 in a scale of 5. Bruises were observed on the neck and the left forelimb. There as also a puncture wound on the neck that penetrated the deep tissues. Upon opening of the carcass, the muscles of the neck had contusion markings. Haemorrhages and blood pooling were evident, the muscle tissues were hyperaemic on both the right and left side of the neck. The trachea was dislocated at the vocal chords and the trachea mucosa blood vessels. There was about 50mls of blood coloured fluid at the pleural cavity. The lungs and heart were too decomposed to assess. Cause of Death Hypoxia and starvation as the trachea was dislocated most likely in an animal fight.
Case 4 – 13th April 2022 Zebra
Snared
Ndii, Tsavo East National Park
This zebra was seen by KWS/SWT de-snaring teams, dragging a wire around her neck. The wire had caused laceration and constant irritation on her neck. She was suckling her foal as she grazed along the highway.
Immobilisation, examination and treatment The zebra was chemically restrained with a combination of 7mg Etorphine hydrochloride and 60mg Xylazine. The zebra was darted from a vehicle and was immobilized within 7 minutes. The wire was embedded deep into the neck muscles causing bleeding. The wire was removed and the wound debrided with Hydrogen peroxide and rinsed with copious amount of clean water. Tincture of iodine was applied for disinfection. Green clay was then packed to absorb toxins and hasten healing. Amoxicillin antibiotics and Flunixin meglumine anti-inflammatories were administered intramuscularly. Prognosis She got up 1.5 minutes after the anesthetic was reversed and joined her herd. Prognosis is good.
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Case 5 – 16th April 2022 Giraffe
Human-Wildlife Conflict
Manyani, Tsavo West National Park
This male was found by the Shedrick Wildlife patrol and de-snaring team, trapped by an electric fence at Manyani area. They notified the Tsavo mobile vet unit who immediately responded to the case.
Immobilisation, examination and treatment He had been trapped by the fence wire around her left hind limb while trying to cross. He had sustained injuries from struggling. He was bleeding from the ears and nose as a result of head concussion. He was manually restrained and the nostrils cleared of blood clots. The abrasion wounds were cleaned and Tetracycline wound spray applied. Other treatments given include intravenous administration of Dexamethasone sodium and Amoxicillin antibiotics given intramuscularly. The electric wires were cut freeing the giraffe, whom he was assisted to get up and let go. Prognosis Prognosis is guarded.
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Case 6 – 16th April 2022 Elephant
Spear
Kaluku, Tsavo
This elephant bull was seen injured and reported to Tsavo Mobile Veterinary Unit by the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust air patrol team based in Kaluku. He had a septic wound oozing pus on his right rump. Immobilisation, examination and treatment The bull had moved about 5km from the point where he was first seen. He had retreated into a thick bush and helicopter services were required for him to be traced and pushed to an accessible area. The bull was darted from a helicopter as he was being pushed to an open area. He was darted with 18 mg of Etorphine through a 1.5ml Dan inject dart went down on right lateral recumbency in 10 minutes. The bull was in good body condition but had a deep septic wound on the right rump. The wound was thoroughly cleaned with Yydrogen peroxide to remove the dead tissue debris and rinsed with clean water. Tincture of iodine was applied as an antiseptic. Chlortetracycline pessaries were inserted into the wound and green clay applied to prevent sepsis. 3000mgs of Amoxicillin antibiotic and 100 mg of Dexamethasone antiinflammatories were administered intramuscularly. Prognosis He retreated into the bush 3 minutes after the anaesthetic was reversed. Prognosis is good.
Case 7 – 17th April 2022 Giraffe
Human-Wildlife Conflict
Manyani, Tsavo West NP
This adult male was rescued from an electric fence entanglement the previous day. He was found by the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust patrol team at Manyani area recumbent again. Post-mortem examination He was on right lateral recumbency, weak, dehydrated and had difficulty in breathing. There was evidence of struggling to get up and he had concussions on his head, epistaxis was noted and general cranial oedema. Prognosis was grave and to alleviate further suffering he was euthanized. A post-mortem revealed the following: There were maggots in the trachea. The trachea was congested and hemorrhagic with froth and intestinal content in its lumen. The lungs were congested and hyperemic. Distinct irregular black coloration marks were observed at the lung parenchyma, indication of pulmonary melanosis. Intestinal contents and froth was observed in the bronchioles from aspiration. Bruises and shallow wounds were observed on the skin and the ear pinna. The heart apex was quite rounded and the ventricles were firm on palpation. Cause of Death He had suffered severe head injury from concussion and lung aspiration.
Case 8 – 19th April 2022 Lion
Natural Causes
Maktau, Taita Ranches
This cub was observed to have difficulties walking and was dragging her hind limbs by Taita Hill Salt Lick Conservancy Rangers. They reported that male lions had engaged in a fight leading to injuries to the cub. Immobilisation and examination The TMVU found the mother with two cubs lying under a tree. The mother had some bruises indicative of a fight, one cub was healthy while one had injuries, paralysed hind limbs and deep bite wounds. The mother and the sound cub were gently pushed away by a vehicle to allow for examination and treatment of the injured cub. The cub was then restrained chemically with 2mg of Meditomidine and was immobilized after 8 minutes. The cub had sustained bite wounds at the thoracic spine that led to paralysis posteriorly from lumbar region. The tail and the hind limbs were flaccid due to spinal damage. Upon palpation of the abdomen fecal balls were felt and the urinary bladder was full and upon aspiration straw colored urine indicated the cub had not defecated or urinated in a while. The wounds at the thoracic region were deep, painful and led to damaged nerves hence paralysis of the lower body parts with associated complications Prognosis Prognosis was grave as the spinal cord had been severely damaged and the cub was put to rest.
Case 9 – 23rd April 2022 Elephant
Post-mortem
Kanjaro Ranch, Taita
This elephant female carcass about 3 days old was seen around Kanjaro dam. Post-mortem examination The carcass had started to decompose as gases of putrification had accumulated in the body tissues. Rectal and virginal prolapses were observed. She was a mono tusker and the only tusk had been removed and taken for safe custody by KWS security team. The rectal prolapse had occurred and rectal content was hard and dry and was stained with blood. Vaginal prolapsed had occurred with fetal membranes hanging out from the vulva with opening of the uterus revealing about 9 months old dead male fetus. Gastrointestinal obstruction occurred at level of proximal rectum. The rectal contents were dry and hard and contain blood stains Cause of Death Gastrointestinal obstruction – due to faecal impaction at the rectum. Complications caused by gastrointestinal blockage because of rectal impaction including exhaustion from excessive straining and dehydration.
Case 10 – 28th April 2022 Elephant
Spear
Kimana Sanctuary, Amboseli
This iconic bull ‘Tolstoy’ with big tusks had been treated for a septic spear wound on the left carpal joint two months earlier. He showed initial signs of improvement followed by progressive health deterioration.He struggled to get up and spent more hours lying down leading to development of decubital sores. This progressed to full recumbency. There was no need to immobilize as he was found recumbent. He was examined and treated then assisted to get up with no success and he succumbed. Post-mortem examination The carcass was dehydrated and emaciated. The injured limb was extensively swollen from the carpal joint to the shoulder. The stomach and intestinal loops were near empty and filled with gas, he was not feeding well. There was generalized gelatinous degeneration of muscular tissues and the spear had shattered bone and joint cartilage. Bone chips were found in the damaged joint capsule which caused lot of pain. Cause of Death The spear caused a traumatic deep wound that led to the fracture of the carpal bone and wound infection. Due to recumbency access to water and food was limited, so dehydration and starvation set in. Due to the prolonged recumbency body fluids were pooled in the lungs hence respiratory functions were compromised. The pulmonary blood vessels ruptured causing the elephant to drown in his own fluid. There are no pictures available for this case