SWT/KWS TSAVO MOBILE VETERINARY UNIT JUNE 2022
Introduction
17 Cases in June
6 Poaching Cases
11 Elephant Cases
June 2022 Report by Dr. Campaign Limo The Tsavo Conservation Area experienced negligible showers over a few areas this month. The area is still largely dry with scarce food and water for wildlife. The Tsavo Mobile Veterinary Unit handled 16 cases in the course of the month, 6 of these were poaching cases while 11 involved elephants. Notable cases attended to in the greater Tsavo ecosystem included the treatment of 4 elephants from the famous Echo family in Amboseli National Park for spear injuries and the capture and relocation of a lioness and her two cubs from a community area in Amboseli to Tsavo West National Park. Acknowledgement The Tsavo mobile Veterinary unit wishes to thank all the stakeholders who spotted and reported wildlife that required veterinary intervention. We also wish to thank Vier Pfoten for their on-going support and KWS management for offering technical advice.
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Case Details
Date
Species
Area Found
Reason for Intervention
Outcome
06-June 22
Lion
Sentrim Camp
Natural Causes
Poor body condition, decubital wounds and worn-out canines due to old age
Died
06-June 22
Zebra
Teita Sisal Estate
Natural Causes
Fractured femur on its left hind limb and lameness on its right hind limb
Died
07-June 22
Elephant
Kamboyo
HWC
Collaring and relocation necessitated by habitual fence breaking and crop raiding
Task successful
12-June 22
Elephant
Pipeline – Tsavo East
Natural Causes
A victim of the prevailing drought found lying along the road in the Park
Died
13-June 22
Elephant
Amboseli
HWC
4 elephants from one family speared after straying into a community area
Successfully treated
13-June 22
Elephant
Amboseli
HWC
4 elephants from one family speared after straying into a community area
Successfully treated
13-June 22
Elephant
Amboseli
HWC
4 elephants from one family speared after straying into a community area
Successfully treated
13-June 22
Elephant
Amboseli
HWC
4 elephants from one family speared after straying into a community area
Successfully treated
14-June 22
Elephant
Galana/ Kulalu
Snared
Elephant calf spotted with severe lameness caused by a wire snare on his right forelimb
Prognosis guarded
15-June 22
Elephant
Mgeno Ranch
Rescue
18-month-old calf found alone in Mgeno Ranch without any elephant family nearby
Task successful
16-June 22
Zebra
Izera Ranch
Postmortem
Aerial patrols recorded several zebra carcasses in the ranch over the last month
Task successful
17-June 22
Giraffe
Ishaqbin conservancy
Snared
Seen walking with difficulty due to a tight nylon snare around its right hind leg
Died
19-June 22
Giraffe
Chyulu Hills
Snared
Seen walking with difficulty due to braided wire snare on its left hind leg
Successfully treated
24-June 22
Elephant
Rombo Tsavo West
Spear
The bull was bleeding from a thoracic wound that was oozing pus and necrotic tissue
Died
27-June 22
Lion
Amboseli
Relocation
The lioness was reported to have attacked and injured members of the community.
Task successful
28-June 22
Elephant
Ngulia Rhino Sanctuary
Snared
The young bull had a plain fence wire deeply embedded in his left hind leg.
Successfully treated
30-June 22
Elephant
Finch Hattons
Spear
Deep spear wound on the side of her right hind limb just above the knee.
Successfully treated
SWT/KWS Tsavo Mobile Vet Unit Treatment Locations June 2022
Case 1 – 06th June 2022 Lion
Natural Causes
Sentrim Camp – Tsavo East National Park
Sentrim Camp management notified the Tsavo Vet Unit of a male lion with poor body condition that had been seen in some thickets near the Camp that morning.
Immobilisation and examination The lion was found lying on its left side and had developed decubital wounds. He appeared unable to hunt given his old age, poor body condition (estimated at 1.0 on a scale of 1 – 5) and worn teeth. In order to facilitate closer examination, 3 mg of Medetomidine was injected intramuscularly to sedate the lion. Examination revealed an old, severely emaciated lion with worn out canines. Prognosis Inability to hunt gave this lion a grave prognosis. He was put to rest in order to spare him any further suffering. The post-mortem examination carried out thereafter revealed a massive calcified intra-abdominal abscess approximately 1.5 Kg attached to the rib cage. The abscess had also spread to the lymph nodes and peritoneal cavity. The severely compromised health of this lion coupled with his old age would have eventually led to a slow and painful death.
Case 2 – 06th June 2022 Zebra
Natural Causes
Teita Sisal Estate
A zebra foraging within Teita Sisal Estate was observed to have difficulty walking and reported to the Tsavo Vet Unit by the farm’s management.
Immobilisation and examination The zebra had a fractured femur on its left hind limb and lameness on its right hind limb. It appeared to be in severe pain as it stood favouring its left hind limb. Its body condition was noted to have deteriorated. Immobilization was achieved with a combination of 7 mg etorphine hydrochloride and 60 mg azaperone in a 1.5 ml Dan-inject dart. He was completely sedated in 8 minutes. Further examination revealed that the Zebra had sustained a complete fracture of the left hind limb with crepitus being felt in the fractured area. Prognosis This zebra had a grave prognosis due to the severity of his injuries. He was euthanized in order to alleviate further pain and suffering.
Case 3 – 07th June 2022 Elephant
Human Wildlife Conflict
Kamboyo – Tsavo West National Park
The elephant bull called Mangelete had been identified as a habitual fence breaker responsible for destroying crops and putting lives in danger in the community areas neighbouring Tsavo West N.P. Immobilisation, collaring and relocation The elephant was darted with 19mg Etorphine hydrochloride and 50mg Azaperone from a helicopter. The drugs took effect after 8 minutes. He was stabilized, examined and a Satellite/GSM collar fitted to ensure regular monitoring post-relocation. He was then loaded onto a flatbed truck and relocated to an area near Lugards falls in Tsavo East National Park. Throughout the journey, the elephant was continuously monitored to ensure that he was stable. Anaesthesia was reversed with 54mg Diprenorphine Hydrochloride and 40mg Naltrexone administered intravenously after off-loading. He was up in one and half minutes and went about exploring the Park. The exercise was a success thanks to technical advice offered by KWS, logistical support offered by Sheldrick Wildlife Trust and the collar donated by Save the Elephants.
Case 4 – 12th June 2022 Elephant
Natural Causes
Pipeline Area – Tsavo East National Park
The female elephant had collapsed along the road in Tsavo East National Park and was found by a tourist. She was emaciated, had difficulty breathing with froth forming in her nostrils. Immobilisation, examination and treatment The elephant cow was found lying on her right side after having made several unsuccessful attempts to rise. She was emaciated, very dehydrated and her faecal matter had numerous helminths. Her condition was thought to have been caused by the prevailing drought. Dextrose 50% was administered intravenously to replenish her energy along with Amoxicillin antibiotics and Dexamethasone anti-inflammatory drugs. She was then assisted to stand a number of times but this was unsuccessful. Prognosis and mangement As her condition kept deteriorating with time, her prognosis was grave. She was euthanized to avoid further pain and suffering.
Case 5 – 13th June 2022 Elephant
Human Wildlife Conflict
Amboseli
Amboseli Elephant Trust and KWS teams reported that 4 members of the famous Echo family in Amboseli had been speared and injured after straying into a community area.
Immobilisation, examination and treatment The elephant was immobilized with 18mg Etorphine hydrochloride. delivered through a 3ml Dan inject dart from a vehicle. The drugs took full effect after about 12 minutes. This female elephant had been speared on the left rump. She had sustained a deep penetrating wound of about four inches deep with pus and necrotic tissues oozing out. The wound was cleaned and debrided with hydrogen peroxide, rinsed with copious amount of water and disinfected with tincture of iodine. Green clay was packed on the wound and Alamycin spray was applied. Amoxicillin trihydrate antibiotics, Flunixin meglumine anti-inflammatories were administered accordingly. Prognosis The anaesthetic was reversed with 36mg Diprenorphine hydrochloride and 40mg Naltrexone. She woke up after about 1 minute and was let go to join the rest of the herd waiting nearby with a favourable prognosis.
Case 6 – 13th June 2022 Elephant
Human Wildlife Conflict
Amboseli
Amboseli Elephant Trust and KWS teams reported that 4 members of the famous Echo family in Amboseli had been speared and injured after straying into a community area.
Immobilisation, examination and treatment She was immobilized using 18mg of Etorphine hydrochloride delivered through a 3ml Dan inject dart and was immobilized after about 10 minutes. Examination revealed that she sustained about 5-inch-deep penetrating wound on the left forelimb slightly above the elbow joint. The wound was debrided using Hydrogen peroxide and rinsed with copious amount of clean water. Tincture of iodine was used to disinfect the wound which was then packed with green clay. Oxytetracycline wound spray was applied topically. Other treatments given include Amoxicillin antibiotics and Flunixin meglumine anti-inflammatories, both given intramuscularly. Prognosis The anaesthetic was reversed with 36mg Diprenorphine hydrochloride and 40mg Naltrexone given through a prominent ear vein. Her prognosis is good.
Case 7 – 13th June 2022 Elephant
Human Wildlife Conflict
Amboseli
Amboseli Elephant Trust and KWS teams reported that 4 members of the famous Echo family in Amboseli had been speared and injured after straying into a community area.
Immobilisation, examination and treatment This calf, about 2.5 years old had two spear wounds: one on the left abdomen and another one on the right foot exiting at the sole. The wounds were oozing pus. The calf was in a lot of pain and had difficulty walking with her family being very protective of her. The calf was immobilized with a combination of 6mg Etorphine hydrochloride and 50mg Azaperone delivered in a 3ml Dan inject dart. He was fully immobilized after 8 minutes. The wounds were debrided and flushed with Hydrogen peroxide, cleaned with fresh water and disinfected with tincture of Iodine. Antibiotics and anti-inflammatories were given accordingly. Prognosis He was revived using 18mg diprenorphine hydrochloride and was let go to join his family nearby. His prognosis is favourable.
Case 8 – 13th June 2022 Elephant
Human Wildlife Conflict
Amboseli
Amboseli Elephant Trust and KWS teams reported that 4 members of the famous Echo family in Amboseli had been speared and injured after straying into a community area.
Immobilisation, examination and treatment The bull elephant was restrained chemically using 18mg Etorphine hydrochloride, delivered in a Dan inject dart. He was immobilized within 12 minutes. He was examined and had sustained a 5-inch-deep penetrating spear wound on his right thigh. The wound was debrided and flushed with Hydrogen peroxide, rinsed with copious amount of clean water, disinfected with tincture of Iodine then packed with green clay and sprayed with Oxytetracycline spray. Amoxicillin antibiotics and anti-inflamatories were administered accordingly. Prognosis The anaesthetic was reversed with 36mg Diprenorphine hydrochloride and 40mg Naltrexone hydrochloride given intravenously through a prominent ear vein. He rose up two minutes later to join the rest of the family. Prognosis is good.
Case 9 – 14th June 2022 Elephant
Snared
Galana/ Kulalu
SWT air and ground units spotted the calf with severe lameness caused by a wire snare on its right forelimb. Immobilisation, examination and treatment The calf had a severely swollen limb and struggled to keep up with his protective family given the pain he was under. The calf was darted from a helicopter with 3.5mg Etorphine hydrochloride delivered using a 1.5 ml Dan-Inject dart. The drugs took effect in 6 minutes and the calf was revived thereafter with 40mg Naltrexone and 60mg Azaperone to keep him calm. The wire snare had cut deep into his right carpus, infection had set in and necrotic tissue was observed. The snare was removed, and the wound cleaned with Hydrogen peroxide, rinsed with fresh water and disinfected with Iodine. Green clay was then packed into the wound. Amoxicillin antibiotics and Flunixin meglumine anti-inflammatories were also administered intra-muscularly. Prognosis After treatment, he was reunited with his family that had been waiting nearby. Ground teams were instructed to monitor the calf for possible follow up treatment. The calf has a guarded prognosis due to the severity of his injury.
No pictures are available for this case.
Case 10 – 14th June 2022 Elephant
Rescue
Mgeno Ranch
The 18 month old calf was found alone with no family nearby. Ranch management and Wildlife Works rangers kept him safe and informed the Tsavo Mobile Veterinary Unit. Rescue Operation The calf had been restrained by the rangers that found him. He was healthy and had good body condition. Oral rehydration to restore lost fluid was given after which he was loaded onto a helicopter and airlifted to the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust Elephant Nairobi Nursery for further care and management. Prognosis The calf had good prognosis since he was found in good health.
Case 11 – 16th June 2022 Zebra
Post-mortem
Izera Ranch
Aerial patrols over the last month had recorded several zebra carcasses within Izera ranch. The ranch had recently been fenced off and paddocked for commercial livestock farming. Post-mortem Examination Only a single recent carcass, about 3 days old, had not been consumed by scavengers. The post-mortem examination found congested and hyperemic intestines, dry and impacted stomach contents and hemorrhages in the peritoneum. Cause of Death The zebra was noted to have died from severe dehydration. According to Ranch Management, the Ranch had been without water since the water supply system had broken down.
Case 12 – 17th June 2022 Giraffe
Snared
Ishaqbin conservancy
The giraffe was seen by Conservancy and KWS rangers with a tight snare around his right hind leg. Immobilization and examination The snare injury was so severe that it had almost severed the limb at the fetlock joint. The giraffe was darted with a combination of 14mg Etorphine and 60mg Azaperone delivered in a 3 ml Dan inject dart from a helicopter. The drugs took effect within 10 minutes. Examination revealed an infected limb with an almost severed fetlock joint caused by a tight nylon snare. Prognosis and management The giraffe was in fair body condition. However, he had a grave prognosis given the extent of his injuries. He was euthanized to spare him further pain and suffering.
Case 13 – 19th June 2022 Giraffe
Snared
Chyulu Hills
The giraffe was spotted walking with difficulty by Big Life Foundation rangers due to a snared left hind limb. Immobilization, examination and treatment The giraffe had a braided wire snare deeply embedded into maggot infested soft tissues around the fetlock joint of its left hind limb. He was chemically immobilized with a combination of 16mg Etorphine hydrochloride and 60mg Azaperone delivered by a 3 ml Dan-inject dart. The drugs took effect in 12 minutes. Reversal was done immediately with 36mg Diprenorphine hydrochloride and 40mg Naltrexone then he was manually restrained by pinning his head to the ground. The wire snare had cut deep into soft tissue and the resulting wound had become septic and maggot infested. Upon removing the snare, the wound was cleaned with Hydrogen peroxide and rinsed with water. It was disinfected with Iodine and green clay applied to promote healing. Amoxicillin antibiotics and flunixin meglumine anti-inflamatories were then administered. Prognosis He was assisted to rise after which he galloped away. The giraffe has a good prognosis.
Case 14 – 24th June 2022 Elephant
Spear
Rombo – Tsavo West National Park
A blood trail was found along the road by KWS Rangers on patrol. The blood trail and elephant spoor was followed to an area with thick bush where the injured elephant bull was located with assistance from the SWT aerial patrol. Immobilization and examination The elephant bull had trouble breathing and walking, he was also bleeding from a thoracic injury that was oozing pus and necrotic tissue. The bull was darted from a helicopter with 20mg Etorphine hydrochloride delivered through a 3 ml Dan-inject dart. He was fully anaesthetized after 12 minutes. Closer examination revealed two deep penetrating wounds on the right thoracic region with an active bleeder. The wounds had become septic with pus and necrotic tissue visible. Deep muscle tissues and organs had also become gangrenous. Sadly, this magnificent bull died during treatment. Post-mortem examination The post-mortem examination found a septic spear injury on his right chest about a week old. The deep wound was causing adhesion around the lungs resulting in dyspnea that was exacerbated by immobilization.
Case 15 – 27th June 2022 Lion
Human Wildlife Conflict
Amboseli
A lioness, her sibling and 5 cubs were reported to have attacked and injured by members of the community in the Amboseli area. In order to avoid further conflict, KWS management decided to translocate her to Tsavo West National Park. Immobilization, collaring and relocation The lioness was immobilized with 6mg Medetomidine and 250mg Ketamine. She was fully anaesthetized in 13 minutes. Two cubs that were presumed to be hers were also captured by darting with 2mgs medetomidine and 50mgs Ketamine hydrochloride. One of the 5 cubs had been killed by the community in retaliation while the other surviving duo had been whisked away by the other nursing lioness. The sedated lions were put in a cage, collared for post-release monitoring and relocated to Tsavo West National Park where they were successfully released around Lake Jipe.
Case 16 – 28th June 2022 Elephant
Snared
Ngulia Rhino Sanctuary – Tsavo West N.P.
The young bull, approx. 14 years old, was captured by a camera trap mounted at a watering point within the sanctuary with a plain fence wire around his left hind leg. Immobilization, examination and treatment The bull was found deep within the sanctuary the following day with assistance from the SWT air-wing. The fence wire was deeply embedded in the limb that was swollen and septic with necrotic tissue. The elephant was immobilized with 15mg Etorphine hydrochloride delivered remotely via a 1.5 cc Dan-Inject dart from a helicopter. The wire was removed then the wound was thoroughly debrided and flushed with Hydrogen peroxide and water then disinfected with Iodine. Green clay and Oxytetracycline spray was applied after which antibiotics and anti-inflammatories were administered. Prognosis The bull was revived with 36mg Diprenorphine and 40mg Naltrexone administered intravenously through a prominent ear vein. He was up in one and a half minutes and retreated into some deep thickets nearby. The elephant was treated successfully and his prognosis is good.
Case 17 – 30th June 2022 Elephant
Spear
Finch Hattons – Tsavo West N.P.
The elephant cow was seen to have difficulty walking by visitors at Finch Hattons Camp. She was favouring her right hind limb which was swollen.
Immobilization, examination and treatment The SWT air-wing located the injured elephant and alerted the veterinary unit. She appeared to be in severe pain since she could not put weight on her swollen limb. She was immobilized with 18mg etorphine hydrochloride and was fully anaesthetized 7 minutes later. Examination revealed that she had a deep spear wound on the side of her right hind limb just above her knee. The injury had extended to the knee joint but the joint capsule had been spared. The wound was debrided and flushed with hydrogen peroxide and water. Iodine was used for disinfection and chlortetracycline boluses inserted into the wound followed by natural green clay. Antibiotics and antiinflammatories were administered as well. She was then revived with 36 mg diprenorphine and 40 mg naltrexone administered intravenously through a prominent ear vein. She was up in 2 minutes and rejoined her family that was waiting nearby. Prognosis The elephant cow has a favourable prognosis.