SWT/KWS TSAVO MOBILE VETERINARY UNIT NOVEMBER 2023
Introduction
6 Cases in November
3 Rhino Cases
1 Elephant Case
November Report by Dr. Campaign Limo Many parts of the Tsavo Conservation Area received good precipitation throughout November. At the end of the month, natural water pans had enough water for wildlife and forage for browsers and grazers was in plenty. The Tsavo Mobile Veterinary Unit attended to 6 cases over the reporting period, these included 3 rhino cases and 1 elephant case. At the beginning of the month, the team conducted autopsies on 3 black rhinos in Ngulia Rhino Sanctuary. The rhino carcasses were found less than 3 Km apart with both horn intact. The dry conditions within the sanctuary and the decrease in quality and quantity of browse is believed to have contributed to their death. In Taita Hills Wildlife Sanctuary, the Veterinary Unit successfully de-snared a buffalo and successfully treated an Oryx with an abscess on the neck. Additionally, the team successfully treated Sonje, a 14-year-old female ex-orphan elephant, at the Umani Elephant Reintegration Centre for multiple small wounds in her oral cavity believed to have been caused by an allergy to ingested food. We are happy to report that she has since fully recovered. 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 Date
Species
Area Found
Reason for Intervention
Outcome Died. Advanced teeth decay & starvation Died. Starvation complicated by old age
02-Nov 23
Rhino
Ngulia Rhino Sanctuary
Postmortem
Autopsy on the 7-day old carcass of a 26year-old male black rhino named Sinei.
06-Nov 23
Rhino
Ngulia Rhino Sanctuary
Postmortem
Autopsy on the 4-day old carcass of a 38year-old female black rhino named Wairimu.
08-Nov 23
Rhino
Ngulia Rhino Sanctuary
Postmortem
Autopsy on a 3–4-day old carcass of a 6month-old female black rhino.
Died, Malnutrition
10-Nov 23
Buffalo
Taita Hills Sanctuary
Snared
Sub-adult female buffalo with a tight double stranded wire snare around the neck.
Successfully treated
15-Nov 23
Oryx
Taita Hills Sanctuary
Natural Causes
Adult male oryx with a swelling on the left lateral side of the neck.
Successfully treated
18-Nov 23
Elephant
Umani Springs
Natural Causes
Sonje, a 14-year-old female elephant, was reported to be feeding poorly.
Successfully treated
SWT/KWS Tsavo Mobile Vet Unit Treatment Locations November 2023
Case 1 – 02nd November 2023 Rhino
Post-mortem
Ngulia Rhino Sanctuary
While on patrol on 02nd November 2023, KWS rangers found the carcass of a 26-year-old black rhino named Sinei. His body condition had been reported to have progressively deteriorated over time. However, he had not shown any physical injuries. The management of Tsavo West National Park and Ngulia rhino security teams requested the Tsavo Mobile Veterinary Unit to perform a post-mortem examination to ascertain the cause of Sinei’s death. General post-mortem findings The carcass was estimated to be 7 days old. It had been completely devoured by scavengers and only bony structures were left. All soft tissue had been eaten away by scavengers. Both horns were found a few meters away from where the rhino had died. Part of the ribcage, free ribs and skull were the only other remains. There were signs of struggle at the scene of death. Significant post-mortem findings Without the benefit of carrying out a full post-mortem examination since parts of the rhino’s body were missing, the significant findings were: The 2nd last molar on the left lower jaw had advanced decay with browse material clogging the crevice and partially spitting the tooth; the 2nd premolar on the left lower jaw had begun to decay and had developed a crack that split the tooth all the way down to the root; the 2nd premolar tooth on the right lower jaw had a crack that was evident on the crown. Cause of death The advanced decay of the Sinei’s teeth could have contributed to his debility and death since it significantly affected his ability to feed. It is also worth noting that the sanctuary is currently dry and there is a decrease in quality and quantity of browse. This could also have significantly contributed to the deteriorating health status of this rhino.
Unfortunately, there are no pictures of this case.
Case 2 – 06th November 2023 Rhino
Post-mortem
Ngulia Rhino Sanctuary
On 06th November 2023, KWS rangers found the carcass of a 38-year-old female black rhino named Wairimu. Her last reported sighting was on 16th October 2023. As per the camera trap photos, she had a body score of 3. The Tsavo Mobile Veterinary Unit was requested to carry out a post-mortem examination to establish the cause of her death. General post-mortem findings Wairimu’s carcass was found almost 3 Km from Sinei’s carcass. Her carcass was estimated to be 4 days old. Both horns were found onsite. The carcass was found in right lateral recumbency. The right ear, perineal region, tongue, upper and lower lips had been partially scavenged. Both horns were found a few meters from the carcass and were thought to have been removed by scavengers. There was some degree of putrefaction and maggot infestation. The carcass was turned over, and no other injuries were observed on either side. Specific post-mortem findings Upon opening the carcass, advanced autolysis/liquefaction was noted in all internal organs. Examination of ingested food showed the browse was low in quantity and poor in quality. Cause of death Due to the extreme autolysis of internal organs, this post-mortem examination yielded an inconclusive result. However, from the stomach contents and the sanctuary’s condition (dry and scarce browse), this rhino could have died from starvation complicated by old age. The ranger team was advised to carry out intense patrols to account for other rhinos in the sanctuary and confirm their status.
Unfortunately, there are no pictures of this case.
Case 3 – 08th November 2023 Rhino
Post-mortem
Ngulia Rhino Sanctuary
This female black rhino calf carcass was found by KWS rangers in the afternoon hours on 07th November 2023 as they carried out intense patrols within the sanctuary as advised. The calf was not positively identified. The Tsavo West National Park management requested the Tsavo Mobile Veterinary Unit to carry out a post-mortem to ascertain the cause of her demise. General post-mortem findings The carcass was found a few kilometres from the carcasses found in the preceding days. Both horns were intact. The carcass was estimated to be 3-4-days old. The carcass was found in left lateral recumbency. There was blood - tinged discharge from the nose. There was some degree of putrefaction, emphysema, and maggot infestation. The carcass was turned over, and no injury was found on her body. The rhino’s abdomen appeared to have bulged. Specific post-mortem findings Upon opening the carcass, advanced autolysis/liquefaction was noted in all the internal organs. A large amount of low-quality browse was found in the rhino’s stomach. All bony structures were sound. Cause of death Due to the extreme autolysis of internal organs, a complete post-mortem examination with laboratory sample collection was impossible. The rhino was estimated to have been 6 months old, and at this age, she was clearly dependant on her mother for milk. The large amount of feed found in her stomach was thought to be compensation for insufficient milk from her mother. This calf might have died from malnutrition.
Case 4 – 10th November 2023 Buffalo
Snared
Taita Hills Sanctuary
Visitors in Taita Hills Sanctuary spotted a sub-adult female buffalo with a snare around the neck and notified the sanctuary’s management. This information was then relayed to the Tsavo Mobile Veterinary Unit. Immobilisation, examination and treatment The snared buffalo was in a herd of about 20 buffaloes that were resting under the shade. Immobilization was achieved with a combination of 6 mgs Etorphine and 50 mgs Azaperone. The buffalo was darted from a vehicle, it took 9 minutes for the drugs to take full effect. Closer examination revealed a double stranded wire snare tightly bound around the buffalo’s neck. Luckily, the snare had not inflicted any injuries. The snare was removed then anaesthesia was reversed with 150 mgs Naltrexone delivered through the jugular vein. The buffalo stood 2 minutes post-reversal and rejoined its herd that was nearby. Prognosis The buffalo has a good prognosis.
Case 5 – 15th November 2023 Oryx
Natural Causes
Taita Hills Sanctuary
During a routine capture and translocation exercise, the Tsavo Mobile Veterinary Unit observed an adult male Oryx with a swelling on the left lateral neck. Immobilisation, examination and treatment The Oryx was darted from a helicopter and immobilized with 9 mgs Etorphine and 40 mg Azaperone. It took 7 minutes for full immobilization to be achieved. Close examination revealed an abscess whose cause could not be determined. The abscess was lanced ventrally to drain its content. The wound was then flushed with Hydrogen peroxide to remove the pyogenic membrane and devitalized muscle tissues. It was cleaned with water, wiped dry with gauze swabs, and infused with Iodine before a topical antibiotic spray was applied. Long-acting Amoxicillin antibiotics and Flunixin meglumine anti-inflammatories were given intramuscularly. Anaesthesia was reversed with 100 mg Naltrexone administered through the jugular vein. The animal stood 3 minutes post-reversal. Prognosis The Oryx has a good prognosis.
Case 6 – 30th November 2023 Elephant
Natural Causes
Umani Springs
Sonje, a 14-year-old female ex-orphan elephant, was reported to have been feeding poorly. When keepers at the Umani Stockades gave her milk, they noticed wounds on the oral side of her hard palate. Immobilisation, examination and treatment The team found the orphans feeding with Sonje nearby. She had clear signs of inappetence but with good body condition. Sonje was approached on foot and darted with 9mgs Etorphine. It took 8 minutes for the drugs to take full effect. Closer examination revealed multiple small wounds in her oral cavity. These were most likely caused by allergy to ingested food. The wounds were cleaned with normal saline and disinfected with dilute povidone Iodine. Oxytetracycline antibiotics, Flunixin meglumine anti-inflammatories and Catosal metabolic stimulants were administered intramuscularly. Ivermectin was also given subcutaneously for external and internal parasitic control, a multivitamin injection was also administered to boost immunity. Prognosis Sonje stood 2 minutes after the anaesthesia was reversed and walked back to the herd. Sonje has a good prognosis. She was reported to be fairing much better the following day and has since fully recovered.