SWT/KWS TSAVO MOBILE VETERINARY UNIT

FEBRUARY 2023

Introduction

16 Cases in February 3 Big Cat Cases

February Report by Dr. Campaign Limo

8 Elephant Cases

In February 2023, the Tsavo Conservation Area was generally dry, and extremely high temperatures scorched the little vegetation that was left. Forage is becoming increasingly scarce, and most small pools and natural water pans are running dry save for a few deep in the park where most of the animals have sought refuge

The SWT-KWS Tsavo Mobile Veterinary Unit attend to 16 cases in total in February, these comprised 8 elephant cases, 2 lion cases, 1 cheetah case, 3 zebra cases, and 2 buffalo cases.

Acknowledgement

The Tsavo Mobile Veterinary Unit would like to thank all stakeholders for their support. The Veterinary Unit is grateful for the on-going financial support received from Sheldrick Wildlife Trust and the technical support received from KWS management.

Case Details

SWT/KWS Tsavo Mobile Vet Unit Treatment Locations

February 2023

Zebra Snared Ndii Area

The SWT-KWS De-snaring Unit reported seeing an adult female common zebra with a wire snare around the neck by the roadside in Ndii area.

Immobilisation, examination and treatment

The zebra had 2 tight wire snares around its neck. It was darted from a vehicle with 6 mg Etorphine and 40 mg Azaperone. The drugs took 5 minutes to take effect.

Upon examination, the zebra was found to be in good body condition. Luckily the snares had not inflicted any injury. The snares were cut loose with wire cutters and removed then anaesthesia was reversed with 24 mgs Diprenorphine hydrochloride delivered intravenously through the jugular vein. The zebra stood one and half minutes post-reversal and re-joined other zebras in the area

Prognosis

The zebra has a good prognosis.

Lion Natural Causes Pipeline Area

A KWS team on patrol spotted an adult lioness with porcupine spikes bellow its chin, neck region and lower abdomen. The lioness had been rescued from a similar situation a few months ago.

Immobilisation, examination and treatment

The Vet team found the lioness with another lioness, both animals were under a shade just beside the road. The injured lioness still had spikes under her chin, neck and around the thoracic region. The other lioness appeared to be in good health with no injuries. The injured lioness was active and in good body condition. Restraint was achieved chemically with 220 mg ketamine and 6 mg Medetomidine. The lioness was darted from a vehicle, and the animal was fully immobilized 7 minutes later. The other lioness was ushered away so treatment could be carried out. The injured lioness was noted to be heavily gravid. Removal of spikes was done manually. 2,250 mgs Amoxicillin antibiotics and 20 mg Dexamethasone sodium anti-inflammatories were dispensed intramuscularly. Additionally, 50 mg Ivermectin was given subcutaneously to get rid of both internal and external parasites. After waiting for an hour for full metabolization of Ketamine, the animal was revived with 15 mg Atipamezole hydrochloride injected intramuscularly. The lioness was up in 10 minutes.

Prognosis

The lioness has a good prognosis

Elephant Snared Rukinga Ranch

The Wildlife Works patrol team spotted a sub-adult elephant bull with a snare. This was later confirmed by their pilot and reported to the SWT-KWS Tsavo Mobile Veterinary Unit.

Immobilisation, examination and treatment

The snared elephant was found in a herd that was in dense bush. The young bull could barely be seen from the ground. Therefore, the SWT helicopter was called in to assist in identifying the animal and shepherding it away from the herd for darting. The elephant was successfully immobilized with 6 mg Etorphine delivered via a 1.5 Dan-Inject dart fired from the helicopter using a Dan-Inject CO2 rifle. Full anaesthesia was achieved 6 minutes post-darting. The young bull was found to be in a good body condition. It had a tight winch wire snare around its right hind leg. The snare was cut off with wire cutters then anaesthesia was reversed with 24 mg Diprenorphine hydrochloride given intravenously through a prominent ear vein. The young bull stood 2 minutes later and joined its family.

Prognosis

The elephant has a good prognosis

Zebra Snared Ndii Area

An adult female zebra with a snare around its neck was seen by the roadside in the Ndii Area by the SWTKWS De-Snaring Unit.

Immobilisation, examination and treatment

The long wire snare was restricting the zebra’s movements since it was dragging the snare along the ground, and stepping on it with its hind legs as it went along. The snared zebra also had a foal. Immobilization was achieved by darting the animal with 6 mg Etorphine and 40 mg Azaperone, full sedation was achieved 7 minutes post-daring.

Upon examination, the zebra was found to be in good body condition. The snare was tightly bound around its neck, but luckily no injury had been inflicted. The wire snare was removed then anaesthesia was reversed with 24 mgs Diprenorphine hydrochloride delivered intravenously through the jugular vein. The zebra stood 2 minutes post reversal and re-united with its foal.

Prognosis

The zebra has a good prognosis.

Elephant Spear Kimana Sanctuary

The Big Life Foundation Patrol team spotted an elephant bull bleeding from its front left leg and requested immediate veterinary intervention.

Immobilisation, examination and treatment

The bull was found among a herd of elephants near a swampy area. It was limping slightly, and bleeding from its front left leg. The elephant was darted from a helicopter with 20 mgs Etorphine, full sedation was achieved after 7 minutes. 2 main wounds were observed on the elephant’s left front leg. The wound on the mid lateral side of the humerus was not too deep, the other wound around the lateral side of the metacarpus was about 20 cm deep and bleeding excessively. The priority was to stop the bleeding which was achieved surgically with Crile forceps. After controlling the bleeding, the wounds were disinfected with Iodine. Green clay was then packed into both wounds. Long-acting Amoxicillin antibiotics and Flunixin meglumine antiinflammatories were given intramuscularly. An Iron dextran injection was also given due to the excessive loss of blood. Anaesthesia was reversed with 66 mg Diprenorphine administered intravenously through a prominent ear vein. The bull stood 2 minutes later and walked back to the herd.

Prognosis

The bull was given a good prognosis, the vet is optimistic that the elephant will recover fully

Cheetah Natural Causes Taita Hills Sanctuary

The Taita Hills sanctuary patrol team noted that a cheetah that had recently became a mother of 4 was away from its cubs most of the time. The cheetah was observed to have some injuries on its hind limbs.

Immobilisation, examination and treatment

The animal appeared to be weak, and wounds were observed on her right rump. However, it was active and moved on seeing the veterinary team. Lameness was also noted on the animal’s left hindlimb. The cheetah was darted from a vehicle with 130 mg Ketamine and 1.8 mg Medetomidine. It was fully anaesthetized 8 minutes later.

Upon closer examination a large wound was observed on the right side just above the gluteus muscles beside the tail. The wound extended into muscle tissue, and it was about 10 cm long. Another wound was observed on the animal’s left hind limb; the wound was maggot infested, and it had split the paw exposing the metatarsal bones. Another maggot infested wound was also observe on the tail. The wounds were most likely inflicted by large prey, such as male impala, during a hunt.

The maggots and debris on the wounds were manually removed then the edges of the wounds were debrided and disinfected with Iodine. Deeper tissues were sutured with a simple interrupted pattern using absorbable vicryl. Cloxacillin antibiotic ointment was then infused into the wound. Topical antibiotics spray was applied on all the wounds followed by intramuscular administration of broad-spectrum Amoxicillin antibiotics and Dexamethasone sodium anti-inflammatory. Ivermectin parasiticide was also given subcutaneously to take care of external and internal parasites.

Anaesthesia was reversed 1-hour post immobilization with 10 mg Atipamezole hydrochloride injected intramuscularly. The team watched as mother cheetah woke up after 8 minutes.

Prognosis

The mother cheetah was given a favourable prognosis.

Buffalo Natural Causes Kilaguni, Tsavo West National Park

Guests at Kilaguni Lodge spotted a limping adult female buffalo and informed the KWS security team around the Lodge. The Tsavo Mobile Veterinary Unit was then notified and responded.

Immobilisation, examination and treatment

The injured buffalo was found near a water hole, away from the rest of the herd. The buffalo was injured on the right forelimb at the elbow joint. It was darted from a vehicle with 6 mg Etorphine and 60 mg Azaperone. The drugs took 7 minutes to take effect. Upon closer examination, the buffalo was found to have 3 deep septic wounds possibly from a lion bite.

The wounds were flushed with Hydrogen peroxide, rinsing with water, disinfected with Iodine and antibiotic wound spray applied topically Long-acting antibiotics and anti-inflammatories were then administered Anaesthesia was reversed with 24 mg Diprenorphine injected via the jugular vein, the buffalo stood and walked to a nearby shade once it woke up

Prognosis

The buffalo has a guarded prognosis.