SWT/KWS Tsavo Mobile Veterinary Report for April 2024

SWT/KWS TSAVO MOBILE VETERINARY UNIT

APRIL 2024

12 Cases in April

April Report by Dr. Campaign Limo

3 HWC Cases 5 Elephant Cases

The Tsavo Conservation Area received lower precipitation in April 2024 compared to the preceding months. However, most water pans are still full and both grazers and browsers have enough food. 12 Cases were attended to by the SWT/KWS Tsavo Mobile Veterinary Unit over the reporting period.

This included 5 elephant cases, 2 of these cases involved rescuing adult elephant bulls. One of the bulls was stuck in mud filled drainage ridge by the side of road while the other was trapped in a deep pit/well that was full of water. The other 3 elephant cases involved elephants bulls with fight injuries. The Veterinary team also attended to a common zebra stallion with a winch wire snare around the neck and an impala ewe with a tin can stuck on her right forelimb. Later in the month, 2 young female Cape buffaloes were relocated to Tsavo East National Park after they were seen near settlements in the Sagalla area.

All the other cases attended to in April involved animals with injuries attributed to natural causes. Unfortunately, 2 of these cases, involving a common zebra foal and an adult female impala with severe compound fractures on their limbs, had a poor prognosis Both animals were put to rest to alleviate further pain and suffering. The other 2 cases involved an adult female impala with a healing fracture on the forelimb and an adult male waterbuck with wounds in the right shoulder area and along the spine.

Acknowledgement

The Tsavo Mobile Veterinary Unit appreciates all the stakeholders who supported this month’s interventions including the monitoring and reporting of veterinary cases. The team thanks Kenya Wildlife Service management for providing technical support and The Sheldrick Wildlife Trust for funding the Tsavo Mobile Veterinary Unit.

Case Details

02-Apr 24 Zebra Tsavo East NP

Causes Juvenile male common zebra with an open wound on the left hind leg.

04-Apr 24 Zebra Tsavo East NP Snared

09-Apr 24 Elephant Tsavo East NP

09-Apr 24

Causes

male common zebra with a winch wire snare around the neck. Successfully treated

elephant bull with a pus-oozing wound in the inguinal region.

treated 10-Apr 24

Taita Hills HWC

13-Apr 24 Elephant Tsavo West NP

Causes

female impala with her right forelimb stuck in a tin can. Successfully treated

elephant bull stuck in a mud filled drainage ridge by the side of the road.

elephant bull with a fight wound at the base of the right tusk.

Causes Adult elephant bull with a swelling on the left flank area.

treated 26-Apr 24 Buffalo Tsavo East NP HWC Relocation of 2 sub-adult female buffaloes seen roaming in a community area. Task successful 28-Apr 24 Impala Tsavo East NP

April 2024

A SWT/KWS De-snaring Unit reported sighting a male zebra foal that was limping due to an open wound on the left hind limb.

Immobilisation, examination and treatment

The foal was immobilized with a combination of 1mg Etorphine hydrochloride and 30mg Azaperone delivered remotely in a 1.5 cc Dan-inject dart. The animal was darted from the vehicle, and it took 5 minutes for the drugs to take effect.

Examination revealed there was an open, complete Salter-Harris type I fracture of the 3rd metatarsus on the left hind limb. The foal was clearly in pain and his prognosis was grave. Therefore, he was put to rest to alleviate further pain and suffering.

Prognosis

The zebra foal had a grave prognosis given the severity of his injuries. He was put to rest to alleviate further pain and suffering.

Ndii Area, Tsavo East NP

An adult male common zebra with a winch wire snare around the neck was reported by a SWT/KWS Desnaring Unit.

Immobilisation, examination and treatment

The snared zebra was darted from a vehicle and immobilized with a combination of 7mg Etorphine and 60mg Azaperone delivered in a 3 cc Dan-inject dart. It took 6 minutes for the drugs to take effect.

The winch wire was loosely attached around the animal’s neck. Luckily, it had not inflicted any visible injuries on the animal. The wire snare was immediately removed then anaesthesia was reversed with 100mg Naltrexone hydrochloride given intravenously via the jugular vein. He stood 1-minute post-reversal and joined his herd that was grazing nearby.

Prognosis

The zebra has a good prognosis.

Zebra Snared

Ndii Area, Tsavo East NP

Natural Causes

Ngutuni Area, Tsavo East NP

While on patrol, a SWT pilot spotted an adult elephant bull with a pus oozing wound in his inguinal region.

Immobilisation, examination and treatment

The bull was successfully anaesthetized with 20mg Etorphine hydrochloride delivered in a 3cc Dan inject dart. Darting was done from the vehicle, and full anaesthesia was achieved after 8 minutes. Examination revealed a deep septic wound in the inguinal area close to the medial surface of the left hind foot, there was also moderate inflammation of the surrounding tissues. Devitalized tissues were surgically removed from wound using curators, this was followed by flushing with Hydrogen peroxide, thoroughly rinsing with clean water, and infusing the wound with Iodine. The wound was thereafter packed with antibiotic pessaries, green clay and a topical antibiotic spray applied. Additionally, Amoxicillin antibiotics and anti-inflammatory medication were administered parenterally. Anaesthesia was reversed with 200mg Naltrexone hydrochloride given intravenously via a prominent ear vein. The bull stood 3 minutes later and walked towards several bulls that were waiting nearby.

Prognosis

The elephant bull has a good prognosis

Impala Natural Causes

Taita Hills Wildlife Sanctuary

Staff at Taita Saltlick Lodge spotted a limping impala ewe with a wound on the left forelimb.

Immobilisation, examination and treatment

The impala was darted from a vehicle and immobilized with 4mg Etorphine hydrochloride and 50mg Azaperone. The drugs took effect after 12 minutes.

Upon examination, it was found that impala had suffered a fracture on the left forelimb that was healing with a slightly angular deformation. Topical antibiotic spray was applied on the healing wound, then antiinflammatories, antibiotics and anti-parasitic medication were administered parenterally. The ewe was revived with 70mg Naltrexone hydrochloride given intravenously via the jugular vein, she stood 2 minutes later and dashed away.

Prognosis

The impala has a good prognosis

Impala

Human-Wildlife Conflict Taita Hills Wildlife Sanctuary

This adult female impala was spotted limping by lodge staff. Her hoof was stuck in a tin can, and she couldn’t get it off on her own.

Immobilisation, examination and treatment

She was immobilized with a combination of 4mg Etorphine hydrochloride and 50mg Azaperone delivered in a 1.5 cc Dan-inject dart. Darting was done from a vehicle, and she was fully anesthetized 6 minutes later. The metal can was on the right fore limb at the level of the second phalanx, and it had inflicted a deep wound which had become septic and had begun to necrotize. The metal can was carefully removed to avoid inflicting any further injuries. The wound was cleaned with clean water, debrided with Hydrogen peroxide, and infused with Iodine. Topical antibiotic spray was thereafter applied on the wound. Amoxicillin antibiotics and antiinflammatories were administered parenterally before anaesthesia was reversed with 70mg Naltrexone hydrochloride given intravenously via the jugular vein. She stood 2 minutes post-reversal and joined her calf that was waiting nearby.

Prognosis

The impala has a good prognosis

Elephant Rescue

Maktau Area, Tsavo West N.P.

KWS rangers spotted a recumbent adult elephant bull in a mud filled drainage ridge by the side of the road. There were clear signs that the bull had been there for more than 12 hours.

Rescue

The bull was in good body condition, and it did not have any visible injuries. Despite being stuck in the mud for a long period, he was still making attempts to rise by paddling and trying to lift his head.

The Veterinary team requested KWS management to avail a road maintenance bulldozer to level the ridge so as to make it easier for him to stand. Once the bulldozer was onsite, the area was quickly levelled, and the bull was re-positioned in sternal recumbency. The bull stood immediately thereafter and slowly walked away.

Case

Elephant

Natural Causes

Mtito Andei Area

While on routine patrol, the SWT/KWS Dog Unit spotted an injured adult elephant bull. The bull had a fight wound at the base of his right tusk.

Immobilisation, examination and treatment

The bull was darted from a vehicle and successfully immobilized with 18mg Etorphine hydrochloride delivered in a 3 cc Dan-inject dart. Full anaesthesia was achieved after 7 minutes.

Examination revealed a deep septic fight wound at the base of the right tusk. The wound was thoroughly cleaned with water and devitalized tissues incised. Thereafter, it was flushed with Hydrogen peroxide, rinsed with water, infused with tincture of Iodine, and packed with green clay. Antibiotic spray was applied topically and Amoxicillin antibiotics and Flunixin meglumine anti-inflammatories were administered parenterally. He was revived with 200 mg Naltrexone hydrochloride given intravenously via a prominent ear vein.

Prognosis

The elephant bull has a good prognosis.

Kuranze Ranch

KWS rangers patrolling Kuranze ranch spotted a young elephant bull trapped in deep pit full of water. The SWT/KWS Tsavo Veterinary Unit teamed up with SWT and KWS field officers for the rescue.

Rescue

An advance team comprising members of the veterinary unit and SWT staff flew to the area to assess the situation and pump out as much water from the well as possible to prevent the elephant from drowning. Other members of the veterinary unit and SWT teams followed by road with more pumps and other equipment. A heavy-duty crane was availed to lift the bull out of the deep pit. Another crane was also on standby to lower 2 personnel into the well to secure hoisting straps on the elephant’s limbs. The bull was immobilized using 13 mg Etorphine hydrochloride, it took 4 minutes for the drug to take effect. Once the straps were secured on the elephant’s limbs, the animal was carefully hoisted out of the pit and placed a safe distance from the well The bull’s vitals were checked, and steroidal anti-inflammatories, metabolic stimulants, and Amoxicillin antibiotics were administered parenterally. Anaesthesia was reversed with 200mg Naltrexone hydrochloride given intravenously via a prominent ear vein. The bull stood and walked away 4 minutes later.

Natural Causes

Satao Area, Tsavo East National Park

An adult elephant bull with a swelling on the left flank area was spotted by the SWT pilot on routine patrol.

Immobilisation, examination and treatment

The elephant bull was darted from a vehicle and immobilized with 20mg Etorphine hydrochloride delivered in a 3 cc Dan-inject dart. Full anaesthesia was achieved after 7 minutes.

Examination revealed that the swelling was fibrous tissue that had formed as part of the wound healing process. No other injuries were observed. The bull received antibiotics, anti-inflammatories, and metabolic stimulants parenterally before anaesthesia was reversed with 200 mg Naltrexone hydrochloride given intravenously via a prominent ear vein. The elephant bull stood and walked away 4 minutes later.

Prognosis

The elephant bull has a good prognosis.

Buffalo

Human-Wildlife Conflict

Sagalla Area, Tsavo East NP

Members of the community around Sagalla reported sighting 3 Cape buffaloes roaming in the area. These sightings were reported to KWS management.

Immobilisation and relocation

2 young cows were found and immobilized successfully with a combination of 8mg Etorphine and 50 mg Azaperone in 1.5cc Dan-inject darts. The animals were darted from a vehicle, and it took 5 and 7 minutes respectively to achieve full anaesthesia.

The cows were loaded to a waiting truck using a wheeled shovel. They were transported to Tsavo East National park while under anaesthesia and released close to Voi gate. Anaesthesia was reversed simultaneously for both animals at the release site with 150mg Naltrexone each delivered intravenously via the jugular vein. They both stood 2 minutes post-reversal.

Impala

Natural Causes

Satao Area, Tsavo East NP

An adult female impala was seen limping due to a fractured right forelimb. The SWT/KWS Tsavo Mobile Veterinary Unit was notified and responded immediately.

Immobilisation, examination and treatment

The ewe was immobilized with a combination of 4mg Etorphine and 40mg Azaperone in a 1.5 cc Dan-inject dart. Darting was done on foot, and it took 7 minutes for the drugs to achieve full effect.

Examination revealed the impala had a complete open comminuted fracture of the metacarpals on the right forelimb. The wound was septic, and her prognosis was grave. Given the foregoing, the impala was put to rest to alleviate further pain and suffering.

Prognosis

The impala had a poor prognosis given the severity of its injuries It was put to rest to alleviate further pain and suffering.

Waterbuck Natural Causes Voi Wildlife Lodge

Staff at Voi Wildlife Lodge reported seeing an adult male waterbuck close to the swimming pool. The animal was reluctant to move.

Immobilisation, examination and treatment

The animal was approached on foot and darted with a combination of 7mg Etorphine and 70mg Azaperone in a 3 cc Dan-inject dart. It took 5 minutes for the drugs to take effect.

Examination revealed that the waterbuck was in poor body condition with a score of 2 in a scale of 1-5 (1 being poor while 5 is good). Fresh wounds on the right shoulder area and along the spine were observed. The wounds were cleaned, disinfected with tincture of Iodine, and sprayed with a topical antibiotic. Longacting antibiotic, metabolic stimulants, anti-inflammatories, and anti-parasitic medication were also administered parenterally.

Relocation, revival and prognosis

The waterbuck was loaded onto a vehicle and moved into the park close to Voi gate. Anaesthesia was reversed with 150 mg Naltrexone hydrochloride given intravenously via the jugular vein. He stood 3 minutes later. The animal has a guarded prognosis.