SWT/KWS Rift Valley Mobile Veterinary Report for January 2025
SWT/KWS RIFT VALLEY MOBILE VETERINARY UNIT
JANUARY 2025
January Report by
Dr. Titus Kaitho
During January 2025, the Rift Valley Vet Unit attended 19 cases as well as conducting routine patrols and clinical case work. Of the 19 cases, 9 were related to poaching, including 6 snare wounds. There were also 4 Human-wildlife conflict cases with the relocation of 3 buffalo and 1 waterbuck that threatened human lives. The other 6 cases were al due to natural causes.
Acknowledgement
The Rift Valley Mobile Veterinary team greatly appreciates The Brady Hunter Foundation for funding the Unit through the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust (SWT). The team acknowledges Angela Sheldrick, CEO -SWT for her unwavering support and interest in the work undertaken by the Mobile Veterinary Unit and thanks the Wildlife Research & Training Institute (WRTI) for hosting the Unit at WRTI - Naivasha. The team additionally thanks all the stakeholders and scouts who reported wildlife in distress and supported the veterinary interventions captured in this report. Thank you all. 19 Cases in January 9 Poaching Cases
Case Details
1-Jan-25 Zebra Narok Poaching
2-Jan-25 Zebra Transmara County Poaching
2-Jan-25 Rhino White Partakilat Conservancy
4-Jan-25
Loldia Conservancy
4-Jan-25 Zebra Gilgil
14-Jan-25
15-Jan-25 Giraffe Hell's Gate National Park
16-Jan-25
Loldia Conservancy
female zebra wounded by a machete on the rump and leg
male common zebra wounded by a spiked stick on the flank Prognosis Poor
Causes Examination of a pregnant female white rhino named Murefu injured in a fight
common zebra with a nylon rope snare on the hind leg
SWT/KWS Rift Valley Mobile Vet Unit Treatment Locations
January 2025
Case
Zebra Poaching Narok, Maasi Mara,
KWS Narok Station reported that an adult female common zebra suffering from suppurative sharp object cuts on the legs.
Immobilisation, examination and treatment
The zebra was darted with 5mg Etorphine combined with 80mg Azaperone.
The female zebra had been wounded by a sharp object i.e a machete on the right rump and right front leg. The wounds were suppurative and infected. The wounds were cleaned with water and rinsed with tincture of Iodine. Surgical cuts were made on the lower aspect of the wound on the rump to facilitate drainage and faster healing. A fly repellent was then applied on the wounds. Additionally, 12,000mg Amoxicillin, 500mg Flunixin meglumine and 60ml Butasal were administered intramuscularly while 8ml Ivermectin was administered subcutaneously
Prognosis
The anaesthesia was reversed with 75mg Naltrexone given by intramuscular and intravenous route. The zebra has a guarded prognosis.
Case 2 – 02nd January 2025
Zebra Poaching Lookwaya, Transmara County
This case was reported by wildlife scouts through the Pangolin research staff in Partakilat area.
Immobilisation, examination and treatment
The adult male common zebra was darted with 5mg Etorphine combined with 80mg Azaperone.
Upon examination, it was discovered that the adult female common zebra had sustained a wound on its left flank caused by a spiked stick. The wound was suppurative, infected and bleeding. The septic wound was cleaned with water and rinsed with tincture of Iodine. Necrotic tissue was surgically trimmed off before a fly repellent was applied on the wounds
Additionally, 12,000mg Amoxicillin, 500mg Flunixin meglumine and 60ml Butasal were administered intramuscularly while 8ml Ivermectin was administered subcutaneously
Prognosis
Anaesthesia was reversed with 75 mg Naltrexone given by intramuscular and intravenous route. The zebra stallion has a guarded prognosis.
Case
Rhino Natural Causes
Partakilat Conservancy
On 02/01/2025 two White rhinos had a serious fight at around 2.00 pm at Partakilat Conservancy, Transmara County. The female white rhino, named Murefu, that was involved in the fight suffered head injuries and a small fragment of rhino horn was recovered. The Veterinary team was informed and responded.
Observation
Murefu fought with a male white rhino named Medwin. During the altercation, Murefu also became entangled in an electric fence. The veterinary team monitored the two rhinos after the fight until 9.00 pm. Murefu appeared to be slightly overwhelmed by the ordeal and subsequent exposure to the electrical current. She was exhausted and there was cause for concern since she was believed to be heavily pregnant.
On 03/01/2025, Murefu rejoined the herd of five white rhinos. She was alert and recovering well from the fight although she was not feeding well.
Recommendation
The veterinarian advised that the two rhinos should continue to be closely monitored to inform if there was any need for veterinary intervention.
Two male buffaloes were freely roaming and grazing crop land in Loldia farm. The rogue buffaloes were habitual fence breakers and, on several occasions, charged farm workers. It was requested that they be moved to prevent injury to the farm workers.
Immobilisation and relocation
One male buffalo was darted using 9mg Etorphine plus 80mg Azaperone. The buffalo was manually loaded into a pick - up and translocated under general anaesthesia on pick - up truck to Hells Gate NP.
Unfortunately, the buffalo succumbed to death on arrival at the release site (Hells Gate NP). Cause of death was due to complications of general anaesthesia during transport which included apnoea, vomiting, CNS depression ending with a fatal cardiac arrest.
The carcass was safely disposed at Hells Gate
Zebra Snared
This case was reported by a community informer at Gilgil - Kamathatha area
Immobilisation, examination and treatment
The zebra was darted using 5mg Etorphine Hcl plus 80mg Azaperone.
On examination the zebra had been snared and wounded by a nylon rope. The wound was suppurative, infected and bleeding. The septic wound was cleaned with water and rinsed with Iodine. A fly repellant (Alamycin® Aerosol) was applied. The zebra was also administered the following;
• Betamox ® (Amoxicillin Trihydrate 150mg/ml) injection 12,000mg by IM route
• Flumeg (Flunixin Meglumine 5%) 500 mg by IM route
• Noromectin® 1% w/v (Ivermectin) 8mL by SQ route
• Butasal® 60mL by IM route
Prognosis
The anaesthetic was reversed using 75mg Naltrexone. Prognosis is good
This case was reported by a community Kongoni Police Station staff
Immobilisation, examination and management
The zebra was darted using 5mg Etorphine Hcl plus 80mg Azaperone.
On examination the zebra had a protracted rectal prolapse, severe cachexia, infected bowel and aged.
The case had a poor prognosis. The zebra was put to rest.
Case 7 – 15th January 2025
Giraffe Natural Causes
Hells Gate NP
The case of a giraffe struggling to give birth reported by visitors/tourists through the SW Hells Gate NP. The monitoring team had given the giraffe adequate time for a normal birth to occur.
Immobilisation and
examination
The giraffe was driven from the bushy area to the plains near the cliff. Ideal terrain for immobilization. This giraffe was darted using 13mg Etorphine plus 80mg Azaperone. The giraffe was promptly reversed from the anaesthesia by rapid administration of 250mg Naltrexone. The giraffe unfortunately suffered complications of apnoea, vomiting, central nervous system depression and thereafter a fatal cardiac arrest.
The giraffe had suffered difficult calving. The foetus was dead and only the front legs were hanging from the vulva. The calf/foetus was on anterior presentation and right neck flexion. The cause of this dystocia was the foetal mal-presentation. A flexion of the foetal neck and subsequent death of the foetus and emphysema caused the difficult calving.
Cause of death
The giraffe cow had been exhausted due to prolongated labour of more than 8 hours. The giraffe cow died during process of the extraction of this foetus.
This was the second buffalo that was reported to be freely roaming, grazing crop land, breaking fences and charging farm workers. It was requested he be relocated to avoid further conflict.
Immobilisation and relocation
The buffalo was living in the crop area of Loldia Conservancy. One male buffalo was darted using 9mg Etorphine plus 80mg Azaperone.
The buffalo was manually loaded into a canter – lorry, then promptly reversed from general anaesthesia with 250mg of Naltrexone.
Prognosis
The buffalo was transported on the canter truck and safely released at Lake Nakuru NP.
Elephant
Natural Causes
This case was reported by Mara North Conservancy through MEP
Immobilisation, examination and treatment
Mara North Conservancy
The calf and mother were driven out of a dense forest using the MEP Helicopter. The elephant calf was darted using 4.5mg Etorphine from the helicopter which then pushed away the mother and ensured the safety of the ground team
On examination, the male calf had been wounded and had a suppurative wound on the left rump. The suppurative wound was cleaned with plenty of water, debrided with dilute Hydrogen peroxide and rinsed with tincture of Iodine. A fly repellant (Alamycin® Aerosol) was also applied.
The elephant was also given 12,000mg Betamox, 500mg Flumeg and 60ml Butsal intramuscularly.
Prognosis
The elephant was reversed from the anesthesia using 100mg Naltrexone given by IM and IV route. It was reunited with the mother and the prognosis is good.
This case was reported by Mara North Conservancy through MEP.
Immobilisation, examination and treatment
The lion was darted using 280mg Ketamine 10% plus 4mg Medetomidine.
On examination the lion had suffered a perforated abdomen by a sharp object, likely due to human-wildlife conflict. Parts of the omenta tissues were hanging outside the abdominal cavity. The wound was suppurative, infected and bleeding. We cleaned the wound using normal saline and it with tincture of Iodine. We surgically trimmed off necrotic omenta tissue and surgically repaired the perforation using vicryl® sutures. A fly repellant (Alamycin® Aerosol) was also applied.
The lion was also given 12,000mg Betamox, 300mg Flumeg and 40ml Butasal intramuscularly as well as 5ml Noromectin subcutaneously.
Prognosis
Prognosis of this case is guarded.
Case 11 – 21st January 2025
Zebra Snared Kedong Ranch
This case was reported by a community informer at Kedong ranch area
Immobilisation, examination and treatment
The zebra was darted using 5mg Etorphine Hcl plus 80mg Azaperone.
On examination the zebra had been snared and wounded by a winch wire. The wound was suppurative, infected and bleeding. We cleaned the septic wound using water and rinsed it with tincture of Iodine. A fly repellent (Alamycin® Aerosol) was also applied. We also administered the following;
• Alamycin ® 300 LA (Oxytetracycline LA 300mg/ml) injection 12,000mg by IM route
• Flumeg (Flunixin Meglumine 5%) 300 mg by IM route
• Noromectin® 1% w/v (Ivermectin) 5mL by SQ route
• Butasal® (Holland) 40mL by IM route
Prognosis
Prognosis of this case is good.
This case was reported by a community informer at Manera Estate
Immobilisation, examination and treatment
The zebra was darted using 5mg Etorphine Hcl plus 80mg Azaperone. On examination the zebra had been snared and wounded by a winch wire. The wound was suppurative, infected and bleeding. The septic wound was cleaned with water and rinsed using tincture of Iodine. A fly repellant (Alamycin® Aerosol) was applied. We also administered the following;
• Alamycin ® 300 LA (Oxytetracycline LA 300mg/ml) injection 12,000mg by IM route
• Flumeg (Flunixin Meglumine 5%) 300 mg by IM route
• Noromectin® 1% w/v (Ivermectin) 5mL by SQ route
• Butasal® 40mL by IM route
Prognosis
Prognosis is good.
Zebra Snared Manera Estate
Case
Waterbuck Snared Kijabe Farm
This case was reported by a community informer at Kijabe farm area
Immobilisation, examination and treatment
The waterbuck was darted using 6mg Etorphine Hcl plus 60mg Azaperone.
On examination the waterbuck had been snared and wounded by a wire on the neck. The wound was suppurative and infected. We cleaned the septic wound using water and rinsed it with tincture of Iodine. A fly repellent (Alamycin® Aerosol) was applied.
The waterbuck was also administered 12,000mg Alamycin, 300mg Flumeg and 40ml Butasal by intramuscular route as well as 5ml Noromectin subcutaneously.
Relocation, revival and prognosis
The waterbuck was reversed from the anaesthesia using 100mg Naltrexone given by IM and IV route Prognosis of the case is good.
Zebra Snared
This case was reported by a community informer at King Fisher farm.
Immobilisation, examination and treatment
The zebra was darted using 5mg Etorphine Hcl plus 80mg Azaperone. On examination the zebra had been snared and wounded by a wire. The wound had healed, and the wire snare had self-released. Significant soft tissue damage including swelling and stiffness of the leg lower joints had occurred, which was exhibited as marked/severe lameness. We administered the following;
• Alamycin ® 300 LA (Oxytetracycline LA 300mg/ml) injection 12,000mg by IM route
• Flumeg (Flunixin Meglumine 5%) 300 mg by IM route
• Noromectin® 1% w/v (Ivermectin) 5mL by SQ route
• Butasal® (Holland) 40mL by IM route
Prognosis
Prognosis for full recovery is good.
Kedong Ranch
Case 15 – 27th January 2025
Buffalo Human-wildlife conflict
Marula Estates
This rogue male buffalo was breaking fences and invading avocado farms. The buffalo was dangerous to farm workers and needed to be relocated.
Immobilisation and relocation
The buffalo was living in the avocados in Bube farm. We darted this buffalo using 9mg Etorphine plus 80mg Azaperone. The buffalo was loaded onto a tractor trailer using a backhoe lifter/loader.
The buffalo was transported on the tractor and safely released at the Hill cake area of Marula Estates. We reversed the buffalo from general anaesthesia by IM administration of 250mg of Naltrexone at the release site.
Prognosis
The buffalo should adapt well to its new environment (which is a chain link fenced wildlife area).
Zebra Natural Causes
Lake Bogoria
This case was reported by a community informer through KWS Kabarnet Station
Immobilisation, examination and treatment
The zebra was darted using 5mg Etorphine Hcl plus 80mg Azaperone.
On examination the zebra had suffered injury of the knee joint. The injury had healed with significant fixation and stiffness of the right knee joint. Fixation and stiffness of the knee joint was exhibited as marked/severe lameness when animal ambulated.
We also administered the following;
• Flumeg (Flunixin Meglumine 5%) 500mg by IM route
• Noromectin® 1% w/v (Ivermectin) 5mL by SQ route
• Butasal® 60mL by IM route
Prognosis
Prognosis of this case is good.
Elephant
Natural Causes
This case was reported by KWS Kabarnet Station
Immobilisation, examination and treatment
Kamnarok, Baringo County
This elephant was darted using 16mg Etorphine in a single Dan Inject dart from a vehicle.
On examination, the female elephant was suffering a cracked sole of the right front leg, severe lameness and pain. The elephant was standing on the three legs sparing the cracked foot. The elephant had lost body condition and had a body condition score of 2. Body condition scoring scale (1= Very poor, 2 = Poor, 3= Fair, 4 = Good, 5= Excellent). The elephant was not feeding well and was confined to area of about 800square meters for the last 4 days.
The elephant was given 15,000mg Betamox, 1,000mg Flumeg and 80ml Butasal intramuscularly.
Prognosis
We reversed the elephant from anaesthesia using 250 mg of Naltrexone given by IM and IV route. The elephant was supported with a rope and a Landcruiser vehicle to stand up. Prognosis is guarded.
Case 18 – 30th January 2025
This case was reported by a Cresent camp staff
Immobilisation, examination and treatment
The waterbuck was darted using 6mg Etorphine Hcl plus 60mg Azaperone.
On examination the waterbuck had been snared by a long wire on the neck and horns. Fortunately, the waterbuck was not injured. We promptly removed the snare and reversed the waterbuck from general anaesthesia.
Prognosis
Prognosis for full recovery is good.
Waterbuck Snared Crescent Camp, Naivasha
Case 19 – 30th January 2025
Waterbuck Human-wildlife conflict
Nini Farm, Naivasha
One waterbuck had separated from the main herd and this rogue male waterbuck on several occasions, had charged on farm workers. It was requested it be removed to avoid further conflict.
Immobilisation and relocation
We darted this waterbuck using 6mg Etorphine plus 60mg Azaperone. The waterbuck was then loaded onto a pickup truck manually.
The waterbuck was transported on the pickup and safely released at Hells Gate.
We reversed the waterbuck from general anaesthesia by IM administration of 100mg of Naltrexone at the release site.
