SWT/KWS TSAVO MOBILE VETERINARY UNIT FEBRUARY 2022
Introduction
5 Cases in February
2 Poaching Cases
4 Elephant Cases
February Report by Dr. Jeremiah Poghon The rains have stopped in the Tsavo and Coast Ecosystem with surface water drying up fast and the lush green vegetation vanishing. Cases are still quite low and the unit attended to 5 cases in the month. Two elephant bulls were treated for lameness in Kasigau ranch within the larger Taita ranches, both of which were spear related or spike trap injuries. Another elephant bull was treated for lameness in the Triangle area of Tsavo East Nation Park, but this was assumed to be a natural injury. An elephant calf was rescued in Tsavo East and taken to the Kaluku SWT stockade after it was found alone. The Unit also investigated deaths of laughing Doves along Mbololo River within Tsavo East National Park. Acknowledgement The unit acknowledges the support of its sponsors ViER PFOTEN through the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust (SWT) for their huge financial support to the unit. We also thank Kenya Wildlife Service through the Assistant director Tsavo conservation area and the Head, veterinary services department..
Case Details Date
Species
4-Feb-22
Elephant
9-Feb-22
Elephant
11-Feb-22
Elephant
Taita Ranches
Spear
11-Feb-22
Elephant
Taita Ranches
Spear
Other
Tsavo East National Park
Research/ Survey
26-Feb-22
Area Found Tsavo East National Park Tsavo East National Park
Reason for Intervention Natural Causes Rescue
The bull was examined and noted to have a sprained front limb with no open wound or fracture An elephant calf had been seen roaming around Irima area alone with no family nearby The bull was examined and noted to have a penetrating wound on the lower right front limb with pus oozing out The bull was examined and noted to have a penetrating wound on the lower left front limb with pus oozing out About 30 birds were counted near a drying up water point with most either dead and scavenged, freshly dead or sickly
Outcome Successfully Treated Taken to Orphanage Prognosis Poor Successfully Treated Task Successful
SWT/KWS Tsavo Mobile Vet Unit Treatment Locations February 2022
Case 1 – 4th February 2022 Elephant
Natural Causes
Triangle, Tsavo East National Park
The elephant bull was spotted by SWT aircraft with lameness of the front limb. The Vet team travelled to the area by road and met a team on the ground and was later joined by SWT chopper which spotted the elephant nearby. The drugs and darts were prepared. Immobilisation, examination and treatment The bull was immobilized with 18mgs Etorphine Hcl in a Dan-inject dart syringe. The elephant was darted on the rump from a helicopter and went down after 9 minutes. Water was poured on the ears to cool him down from the prevailing high Tsavo temperatures. The bull was examined and noted to have a sprained front limb with no open wound or fracture. The elephant was administered with Flunixin Meglumine to relieve the pain. Prognosis Prognosis is good.
.
Case 2 – 9th February 2022 Elephant
Rescue
Irima, Tsavo East National Park
A report was made by the SWT team that an elephant calf had been seen roaming around the Irima area alone with no family nearby. Rescue The SWT Voi Stockade Team together with the Tsavo Vet Unit rushed to the area and found the small calf all alone with no family around. He was quickly captured manually and flown to SWT Kaluku stockade for care.
Case 3 – 11th February 2022 Elephant
Spear
Kasigau Ranch, Taita
This elephant bull was seen by the Wildlife Works pilot with marked lameness of the limb near the water hole within the Community Conservancy. A team on the ground was sent to confirm the case and found the sickly elephant near the water hole. The Vet Team was airlifted by the SWT helicopter to the area for quick response. They met a ground team waiting nearby. Immobilisation, examination and treatment The bull was immobilized with 18mgs Etorphine in a Dan-inject dart. The elephant was darted in the rump from a helicopter and herded to a clearing. He went down after 9 minutes. Water was poured on the ears to keep him cool during treatment. Examination revealed a penetrating wound, likely a spear wound, to the lower right front limb with pus oozing out. The wound was cleaned with Hydrogen peroxide and flushed with Iodine before being covered with green clay. He was administered with anti-inflammatories to relief the pain and long-acting antibiotics. Prognosis Finally, the anaesthesia was reversed, and the bull assisted onto his feet. Prognosis is guarded
Case 4 – 11th February 2022 Elephant
Spear
Kasigau Ranch, Taita
A few minutes after treating an elephant, another one was spotted nearby also limping. The elephant bull was also seen by the Wildlife Works pilot. A team on the ground was sent to confirm the case and found the injured elephant near a water hole. After finishing with the first elephant, the Vet Unit travelled to the second injured elephant and prepared the necessary drugs. Immobilisation, examination and treatment The bull was immobilized with 18mgs Etorphine Hcl in the rump from the helicopter. The bull was then herded to a clearing and went down after 10 minutes. Water was poured on the ears to cool him down from the prevailing high temperatures. The bull was noted to have a penetrating pus-filled wound on the lower left front limb. This was also likely a spear wound. The wound was cleaned with Hydrogen peroxide, flushed with Iodine then packed with green clay. He was administered with anti-inflammatories to relief the pain and long-acting antibiotics Prognosis . The anaesthesia was reversed and the bull assisted onto his feet. Prognosis is good.
Case 5 – 26th February 2022 Laughing Doves
Research/Survey
Mbololo River, Tsavo East National Park
KWS Rangers patrolling along Mbololo River within Tsavo East National Park, came across dead birds and other appearing very sickly and reported to the Vet unit. The Unit visited the area and did an investigation on the occurence. About 30 birds were counted near a drying up water point with most either dead and scavenged, freshly dead or sickly. Investigation The total number of birds affected were 30 in a population of about 50. Many had been scavenged on by birds of prey such as vultures, eagles and ravens. The sickly ones were perched in a tree nearby and showed signs of respiratory distress (gasping) and nervous signs, twisting of the neck. They were unable to fly off when handled. Cause of Death Clinical manifestation indicated a Pigeon paramyxovirus Type 1 (PPM1) infection. Cloacal and pharyngeal swabs were collected for laboratory diagnosis. .