SWT/KWS TSAVO MOBILE VETERINARY UNIT JULY 2020
Introduction
14 Cases in July
3 Poaching Cases
6 Elephant Cases
July Report by Dr. Jeremiah Poghon July remained dry with no rains throughout the Tsavo Ecosystem. Wildlife injuries increased, mainly due to bushmeat poaching and human-wildlife conflict. The Unit de-snared a buffalo in Tsavo East and another in Rukinga, while a 3rd was castrated due to a testicular tumour in Tsavo East. The Unit also performed post-mortems on 3 elephants in Tsavo East and Tsavo West. In Tsavo East, a young lion was treated and later euthanized due to a spinal injury that caused paralysis and an elephant was treated for an arrow wound. Buffaloes that were stranded after mining activities destroyed their habitat were translocated from Base Titanium mines in Kwale to Tsavo East. In addition, an old rhino carcass was examined in IPZ, Tsavo West and a giraffe with torn leg tendons was euthanized in the Taita Ranches. 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 of the veterinary services department.
SWT/KWS Tsavo Mobile Vet Unit Treatment Locations July 2020
Case Details
.
Date
Species
Area Found
02-Jul-20
Buffalo
Rukinga Ranch
Snared
The tight wire snare around the neck was removed and neck injuries treated
Successfully Treated
08-Jul-20
Buffalo
Voi, Tsavo East
Snared
The not so tight wire snare was removed and neck injuries treated
Successfully Treated
08-Jul-20
Buffalo
Voi, Tsavo East
Natural Causes
One of the testicles had an open wound of unknown origin
Successfully Treated
11-Jul-20
Elephant
Aruba, Tsavo East
Postmortem
The carcass was examined and a penetrating wound was on top of the skull
Died
15-Jul-20
Elephant
Salaita, Tsavo West
Postmortem
The carcass was lying on the right flank at a mid-advanced level of decomposition
Died
18-Jul-20
Elephant
Satao, Tsavo East
Natural Causes
The bull appeared thin with an old wound on the right front limb that was swollen
Prognosis Poor
18-Jul-20
Lion
Aruba, Tsavo East
Natural Causes
The lion had a traumatic injury on the spinal with paralysis caused by another animal
Died
23-Jul-20
Buffalo
Base Titanium, Kwale
Human Wildlife Conflict
The community reported buffalo-induced conflicts related to crop destruction and threats to human life
Task Successful
28-Jul-20
Elephant
Salaita, Tsavo West
Postmortem
The colon had some hardened ingester and mucus. The peritoneal cavity was normal
Died
28-Jul-20
Rhino Black
IPZ, Tsavo West
Postmortem
The skull, femur, tibia, scapula, fibula, atlas, other vertebrae and toe nails were found
Died
30-Jul-20
Elephant
Galana Conservancy
Arrow
There was an arrow wound to the right knee joint area with marked swelling
Successfully Treated
30-Jul-20
Giraffe
Taita Ranches
Human Wildlife Conflict
A giraffe was entangled by the fence separating the community and had serious cuts to the tendons
HWC Death
30-Jul-20
Security Dog
Kaluku, Tsavo
Technical Cases
Vaccinations
Task Successful
31-Jul-20
Elephant
Salaita
Postmortem
The carcass was lying on the right flank with advanced level of decomposition.
Died
Reason for Intervention
Outcome
Case 1 – 2nd July 2020 Buffalo
Snare
Rukinga Ranch
The report of a snared buffalo was received from Wildlife Works Rangers patrolling the ranch. Due to the thick habitat in the area the SWT helicopter was called in to assist. The Vet Unit joined the Wildlife Works Rangers who were keeping an eye on the buffalo herd.
Immobilisation, examination and treatment The buffalo was approached with a vehicle and darted in the rump with 8mg of Etorphine and 80mgs Azaperone. He went down after 6 minutes and was quickly secured, placed in a sternal position and a blindfold placed over the eyes. The tight wire snare around the neck was removed and the neck injuries treated with dilute Hydrogen peroxide and tincture of Iodine, then sprayed with Oxytetracycline. Wetted green clay was smeared on the wounded neck. Long acting antibiotics and anti-inflammatory drugs was administered parenterally. Prognosis The anaesthetic was reversed with Diprenorphine at 3 times the Etorphine dose. Prognosis is good.
Case 2 – 8th July 2020 Buffalo
Snared
Voi, Tsavo East National Park
SWT de-snaring teams patrolling the Voi Area, reported a snared buffalo and another injured buffalo. The Vet Team responded and rushed to the site to find the snared buffalo in a herd of about 200 others. Nearby was a lone bull with scrotal ulceration and a dead snared Impala a few feet away. Immobilisation, examination and treatment A dart was prepared and filled with 7 mgs of Etorphine and 70 mgs Azaperone. The buffalo was approached with a vehicle and darted in the rump. She went down after 7 minutes and was quickly secured, placed in a sternal position and blindfolded. The snare was not very tight and was easily removed. The neck injuries were treated with Oxytetracycline spray. Prognosis Finally, the anaesthesia was reversed by use of Diprenorphine at 3 times the Etorphine dose. Prognosis for full recovery is good.
Case 3 – 8th July 2020 Buffalo
Natural Causes
Voi, Tsavo East National Park
Shortly after treating the snared buffalo cow the team commenced treatment of a buffalo bull with scrotal laceration. One of the testicles had an open wound of unknown origin.
Immobilisation, examination and treatment The buffalo was approached with a vehicle and darted in the rump with 8mg Etorphine and 100mgs Azaperone. She went down after 8 minutes and was quickly secured, placed in a sternal position and a blindfold placed over the eyes. The wound was examined and found to be a growth of unknown origin. The bull was castrated to remove the growth. Both testicles were removed although only one was affected. Long acting antibiotics and anti-inflammatories were administered parenterally. Prognosis The anaesthesia was reversed by administration of Diprenorphine at three times the Etorphine dose. Prognosis is good.
Case 4 – 11th July 2020 Elephant
Post-mortem
Aruba, Tsavo East National Park
A report was made by the Company Commander of Tsavo East National Park of an elephant carcass which was located near the Aruba lodge area of Tsavo East National Park. The Unit visited the area which is about 30kms from the base. Examination and post-mortem The carcass was lying on the left flank at a mid-level of decomposition. The carcass was examined and a penetrating wound was found on top of the skull. The wound was deep and penetrated the brain stunning the bull. There were elephant struggle marks on the area an indication of bull territorial fighting in the area. Tusks were recovered by KWS security teams. Cause of Death The cause of death was territorial fight with another elephant bull.
Case 5 – 15th July 2020 Elephant
Post-mortem
Salaita, Tsavo West National Park
A report was made by the Company Commander of Southern Tsavo West National Park of an elephant carcass which was located near the Salaita area within Tsavo West National Park. The unit visited the area to ascertain the cause of death. Examination and post-mortem The carcass was lying on the right flank at a mid-advanced level of decomposition. The tusks had already been recovered by KWS Rangers. All internal organs had been consumed by scavengers and only the musculo-skeletal and the skin was intact. There was no penetrating wound observed on the skin surface. Cause of Death The exact cause of death could not be determined due scavenger activity and marked autolysis.
Case 6 – 18th July 2020 Elephant
Natural Causes
Satao, Tsavo East National Park
The report of a recumbent elephant bull was received from the staff of Satao Camp. The report indicated the elephant bull had fallen down near a water hole and could not stand up. The unit responded and rushed to the area to find the big bull struggling to stand and appeared emaciated.
Immobilisation, examination and treatment As the bull was already down, only 5mgs of Etorphine was administered via IV through the ear vein to calm the animal down. The bull appeared thin with an old wound on the right front limb that was swollen from extra bone and tissue growth. The elephant bull was stabilized with IV infusion of 50% Dextrose and Dexamethasone by slow IV and long acting Betamox by IM. The wound was cleaned and topical antimicrobials applied before finally being covered with green clay Prognosis The anaesthesia was reversed with Diprenorphine at 3 times the Etorphine dose. The bull was assisted to his feet and he walked away slowly though still appearing weak. Prognosis is guarded to poor.
Case 7 – 18th July 2020 Lion
Natural Causes
Aruba, Tsavo East National Park
The report was received from tour drivers around Aruba lodge of a young lion that was left behind by a pride that was feeding on an elephant carcass in the area. The young lion couldn’t stand up or walk and lay flat on its side but still alive. The Unit visited the area to assess and treat the lion. Immobilisation, examination and treatment The lion was lying flat on its side and prompts to make him sit up or walk were futile, though after pricking the limbs he responded meaning it was not a total paralysis. The source of para-paralysis was due to an injury to the thoracic vertebrae as the lion responded with pain when the area was touched. A diagnosis of traumatic injury, possibly caused by another animal, to the spine with subsequent paralysis was made. The lion was administered with antibiotics, analgesics and vitamins IM and fed with meat in-situ. Prognosis and management After 2 days without improvement the lion was euthanized due to animal welfare concerns and poor prognosis.
Case 8 – 23rd – 25th July 2020 Buffalo
Human-Wildlife Conflict
Base Titanium, Kwale
Base Titanium is an area of active mining in Kwale County, which began its operations about 10 years ago. Over the years, the mining activity has reduced the forest once occupied by buffaloes leading to increased human-conflict. This led to translocation of a herd of nine buffaloes from the area to Shimba Hills Reserve in 2019 due to safety concerns of the animals, surrounding community members, and Base Titanium employees. The remaining population are suspected to have come from neighbouring forests and their activities are destroying the inner wall of the Tailings Storage Facility (TSF). The community adjoining Base Titanium also reports buffalo conflicts related to crop destruction and threats to human life. Immobilisation, examination and treatment Teams from KWS HQ capture unit, Airwing, Tsavo Vet Unit, Shimba hills and Kisite Mpunguti teamed up with Base Titanium staff to undertake the translocation exercise. The exercise began on the 23rd July 2020 but no buffaloes were spotted within the Base Titanium mining site and the adjoining Gogoni forest. On the morning of 24th July 2020, the team headed to KISCO sugar plantations after reports of buffalo sightings and 8 buffaloes were found. With the assistance of the KWS helicopter and Base Titanium tractors, 6 animals were immobilised and loaded onto a container then woken up. After assessing that all the animals were in good condition, they were transported to Tsavo East. After approximately 3 hours the buffaloes were safely released in Aruba, Tsavo East National Park and received by the Deputy Park Warden and research scientist.
Case 9 – 28th July 2020 Elephant
Post-mortem
Salaita, Tsavo West National Park
A report was made by the Company Commander of Southern Tsavo West National Park regarding an elephant carcass which was located near the Salaita area within Tsavo West National Park. The Unit visited the area to ascertain the cause of death. Examination and post-mortem The carcass was lying on the left flank and still fresh. The tusks had been recovered by KWS Rangers. The abdomen had been ripped open by scavengers and a developed foetus pulled out. The colon had some hardened ingester and mucus. The peritoneal cavity was normal. Cause of Death Though not much could be deduced from the carcass, the presence of impacted ingester and a foetus that was due for delivery, pointed to impaction and pregnancy complications as the cause of death.
Case 10 – 28th July 2020 Black Rhino
Post-mortem
IPZ, Tsavo West National Park
A report was received from the Company Commander F coy, Tsavo West National Park that a scavenged carcass belonging to a male sub-adult rhino had been spotted in the Rhodesia area of the Intensive Protection Zone within Tsavo West National Park. There had been an ongoing search for the rhino after his transmitter signal remained in the same location for some time. The carcass was fully decomposed and only skeletal anatomies of the head and long bones remained. Examination and post-mortem The rhino was identified as Poghon (ID5140); a 4-5-year-old black rhino male. The carcass was fully decomposed and all soft tissues and skin eaten away by scavengers. The only bones found were skull, part of femur, part of tibia and fibula, part of scapula, atlas and other vertebrae and 3 toe nails. There were bite marks on the bones attributed to scavenging. The age of carcass from death was estimated at 10-14 days due to the strong smell of rotting flesh on the bones. The 2 horns were recovered by IPZ security teams for safe custody. Cause of Death The cause of death could not be determined from the scanty anatomical remains recovered at the scene.
Case 11 – 30th July 2020 Elephant
Arrow
Galana Conservancy
The report of an injured elephant bull in the Galana Conservancy, bordering Tsavo East National Park, was received from the KWS Rangers manning the eastern park boundary. The Vet Team responded the day before but the bull vanished into thick bush. The next day the elephant was seen by the rangers who reported it promptly. The SWT helicopter was on standby to airlift the Vet to the area as they were 120kms away. Immobilisation, examination and treatment The elephant was approached with the helicopter and darted with 19mgs of Etorphine and 30mgs of Azaperone in the rump. The helicopter pushed the elephant towards a road for easy access by the ground teams. He moved briefly before going down on lateral recumbency. There was an arrow wound to the right knee joint with marked swelling and infection making the joint inflexible. A small incision was made to the medial aspect of the limb and an arrow head pulled out with difficulty. The wound was flushed with Hydrogen peroxide, doused with Iodine then packed with green clay. The elephant was administered with long acting antibiotics and anti-inflammatory drugs intramuscularly and intravenously respectively. Prognosis The bull was given a clean bill of health and the anaesthesia was reversed. The bull was helped to his feet by a pull on the upper tusk using a vehicle; he stood up and walked away calmly. Prognosis is good.
Case 12 – 30th July 2020 Giraffe
Human-Wildlife Conflict
Taita Ranches
An injured male giraffe was reported by KWS Rangers manning Taita ranches near Kamtonga area of Tsavo. Immobilisation and examination The adult male giraffe had been entangled by the fence separating the community with the ranches. The giraffe had managed to free himself but sustained serious cuts to the tendons of the right hind lower foot. Both the extensor and flexor tendons were severed and the giraffe could not walk. Prognosis and Management Repair of the tendons was not feasible in the wild conditions the animal was in and he was put down for animal welfare considerations due to poor prognosis.
Case 13 – 30th July 2020 Security Dog
Technical Case
Kaluku/Ngulia
Both Ngulia, Tsavo West and Kaluku, SWT HQ have security/tracker dogs to aid in combatting bushmeat poaching and other illegal activities. It is imperative to maintain the health of these animals. Immobilisation and treatment The Unit vaccinated 3 dogs in Ngulia, Tsavo West and Kaluku against DHPL and Rabies. All the dogs were in good condition and used to handling so could be physically restrained. Prognosis The animals were vaccinated successfully and all were in good health.
Case 14 – 31st July 2020 Elephant
Post-mortem
Salaita, Tsavo West National Park
The report was made by the Company Commander Southern Tsavo West National Park of an elephant carcass which was located near the Salaita area within Tsavo West National Park. The Unit visited the area to ascertain the cause of death. Examination and post-mortem The carcass was lying on the right flank and in an advanced level of decomposition. The tusks were intact and recovered by KWS teams. All internal organs and other soft tissues were at advanced level of decomposition. There was no penetrating wound observed on the skin surface. Carcass age was about 5 days old. Cause of deaths No conclusion could be reached due to advanced decomposition.
Other Activities The Unit examined 100 dik dik carcasses brought in by Tsavo East security department for analysis and produced expert report for court use.