SWT/KWS TSAVO MOBILE VETERINARY UNIT OCTOBER 2023
Introduction
15 Cases in October
7 Poaching Cases
10 Elephant Cases
October Report by Dr. Campaign Limo The Tsavo Conservation Area received good rainfall in the Southern Area and in some parts to the West. Natural water pans in these areas had enough water and animals also had enough forage by the end of the month. The Tsavo Mobile Veterinary Unit (TMVU) attended to 15 Cases in October 2023. These included 10 elephant cases, 1 snared giraffe case, 3 snared zebra cases and 1 snared waterbuck case. 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
02-Oct 23
Elephant
Rukinga Ranch
Snared
1-year-old male elephant calf with a winch wire snare on the left front limb.
Successfully treated
04-Oct 23
Elephant
Tsavo East N.P.
Postmortem
Autopsy on the carcass of a 30-35-year-old elephant bull translocated on 27/09/2023 from Ngulia to Ithumba.
Died. Exhaustion & Dehydratio
06-Oct 23
Zebra
Lumo Conservancy
Snared
De-snaring 2 adult common zebras with tight wire snares around the neck.
Successfully Treated
06-Oct 23
Giraffe
Kulalu Ranch
Snared
De-snaring an adult male Masai giraffe with a long wire snare around the neck.
Successfully Treated
08-Oct 23
Elephant
Shirango Ranch
Arrow
Autopsy examination on the carcass of a 15-20-year-old female elephant.
Poaching Death
09-Oct 23
Elephant
Mwabenje Ranch
Postmortem
Autopsy examination on the carcass of a 25-30-year-old elephant cow.
Died. Acute gastroenteritis
11-Oct 23
Waterbuck
Voi Gate
Snared
Adult male waterbuck with a wire snare around the muzzle & left hindlimb.
Successfully Treated
13-Oct 23
Zebra
Lumo Conservancy
Snared
De-snaring a male zebra foal with a stranded wire snare around the neck.
Successfully treated
21-Oct 23
Elephant
Tsavo East N.P.
Spear
30-35-year-old elephant cow with a wound on the left thigh region.
Successfully treated
22-Oct 23
Elephant
Manga, Taita
HWC
45-50-year-old elephant bull limping on the right front limb.
Successfully treated
23-Oct 23
Zebra
Taita Saltlick Area
Snared
Adult female common zebra with a snare around the neck and right hind leg.
Successfully treated
24-Oct 23
Elephant
Ngiluni, Tsavo West
HWC
Translocation of an elephant family from Ngiluni area to Tsavo East N.P.
Task successful
26-Oct 23
Elephant
Tsavo East N.P.
Postmortem
Autopsy on a 50-55-year-old elephant bull seen recumbent and later found dead.
Died. Severe pneumonia
27-Oct 23
Elephant
Tsavo East N.P.
HWC
25-30-year-old elephant bull with a pusoozing wound in the right thigh region.
Successfully treated
30-Oct 23
Elephant
Tsavo West N.P.
Natural Causes
Recumbent 3-year-old male elephant calf gravely injured by lions.
Died. Euthanized
Reason for Intervention
Outcome
SWT/KWS Tsavo Mobile Vet Unit Treatment Locations October 2023
Case 1 – 02nd October 2023 Elephant
Snared
Rukinga Ranch
This lame male elephant calf was seen with its mother and an older female sibling at a waterhole. Immobilisation, examination and treatment The calf walked with raised left forelimb lameness. Mother and calf were immobilized with 16 mgs Etorphine and 1.5 mg Etorphine respectively to prevent separation. Induction time was 5 min. for the calf and 8 min. for the mother. Upon close examination, the calf was found to have a winch wire snare deeply embedded around the left carpus. Luckily, the snare wound did not extend to the bone/joint capsule. After the winch wire snare was removed, the wound was cleaned with water and devitalized tissues were surgically excised. The wound was then debrided with Hydrogen peroxide, rinsed with water, and dried with cotton swabs before it was disinfected with Iodine, packed with green clay, and sprayed with an antibiotic spray. Clindamycin antibiotics and Flunixin meglumine anti-inflammatories were also given intramuscularly. Reversal of anaesthesia for the mother was achieved with 150 mg Naltrexone intravenously while the calf received 25 mg Naltrexone intravenously. They both regained consciousness 3 minutes post-reversal. Mother and calf were reunited and walked towards the waiting family member. Prognosis The elephant calf has a good prognosis.
Case 2 – 04th October 2023 Elephant
Post-mortem
Ndiandaza, Tsavo East N.P.
While on patrol, a SWT pilot sighted a recumbent adult elephant bull in the Ndiandaza area. The Tsavo Mobile Veterinary Unit responded and found the elephant dead. The carcass was more than 48 hours old. The 30-35-year-old elephant bull had been translocated to Ithumba, Tsavo East National Park on 27th September 2023 from Ngulia, Tsavo West National Park. Prior to that the elephant had been translocated from Laikipia. Post-mortem findings The elephant was on right lateral recumbency with maggot infestation and intact tusks. The area had no evidence of wild animal activity especially elephants as it was far from sources of water. There were no external injuries and the carcass seemed dehydrated with no other postmortem findings. Cause of death This elephant was suspected to have succumbed from exhaustion and dehydration after walking for a long distance to an area without water.
Case 3 – 06th October 2023 Zebra
Snared
Lumo Conservancy
A KWS Patrol team sighted 2 snared adult common zebras (male and female) in Lumo Conservancy and informed the Tsavo Mobile Veterinary Unit. Both zebras had tight wire snares around the neck. The veterinary team was nearby searching for another snared zebra foal and responded immediately. Immobilisation, examination and treatment The snared zebras were in the same herd. They were darted consecutively from a vehicle. Each zebra was immobilized with 7 mg Etorphine combined with 60 mg Azaperone. Complete anaesthesia was achieved in 5 minutes. Closer examination revealed double stranded wire snares tightly bound around the neck. Luckily, none of the zebra had suffered any snare related injuries. The wire snares were cut loose with wire cutters and removed. Anaesthesia for each animal was reversed with 100 mgs Naltrexone administered intravenously through the jugular vein. They were on all fours 3 minutes post reversal and joined the herd that was waiting nearby. Prognosis Both zebras have a good prognosis.
Case 4 – 06th October 2023 Giraffe
Snared
Kulalu Ranch
While on patrol, a SWT pilot spotted an adult male Masai giraffe dragging a long wire snare that was hanging around its neck.
Immobilisation, examination and treatment The snared giraffe was found in a herd, it was dragging a long wire snare that was around its lower neck. The giraffe bull was darted from a helicopter and immobilized with 15 mgs Etorphine and 60 mg Azaperone. It took 9 minutes for the drugs to take maximum effect. Once the giraffe was secured on the ground, anaesthesia was immediately reversed with 250 mg Naltrexone administered through the jugular vein. The long wire snare was cut loose with wire cutters and removed. Luckily, no major injuries were observed on the animal’s body. Immediately the giraffe was released, it stood energetically and walked away. Prognosis The giraffe has a good prognosis.
Case 5 – 08th October 2023 Elephant
Arrow
Shirango Ranch
The carcass of a 15-20-year-old female elephant was found in Shirango Ranch by a patrol team. Both tusks were intact. The Tsavo Mobile Veterinary Unit’s services were sought to establish the cause of death.
General post-mortem findings The elephant was found on left lateral recumbency. Both tusks had been removed by the KWS security team for safe custody. There were signs of struggle before death at the scene. The elephant appeared to have been in fair body condition before death with a body score of 3 in a scale of 1-5 where 1 is poor and 5 good. The carcass was mildly bloated (post-mortem changes). A wound with pus and swelling was seen around the right ventral abdominal region. Specific post-mortem findings Upon opening the carcass, the wounded area was found to have pus and muscle dissolution forming a pouch between the abdominal muscles, part of the intestines was found in the pocket forming a hernia. There was capsule formation at the ventral edge of the wound. There was intestinal wall destruction, perforation of the intestines was noted. An abnormally large amount of red tinged fluid was found in the peritoneal cavity. There was scanty intestinal content and peritonitis was evident. Cause of death The elephant cow suffered from complications caused by a poisoned arrow. Hernia and peritonitis developed out of this. The arrowhead had since fallen.
Case 6 – 09th October 2023 Elephant
Post-mortem
Mwabenje Ranch
The carcass of a 25-30-year-old female elephant was found by a KWS patrol team with both tusks intact. The tusks were removed for safe custody by KWS management. The Tsavo Mobile Veterinary Unit was requested to perform a post-mortem examination to establish the cause of death. General post-mortem findings The carcass was found in left lateral recumbency. Both tusks had been removed for safe keeping by the KWS security. The elephant cow had active mammary glands and was most likely nursing before it died. The animal appeared to have been in good body condition before death with a body score of 4 in a scale of 1-5 where 1 is poor and 5 good. The carcass was bloated. The scene had no signs of struggle before death. There was no visible injury on the carcass even on turning the carcass over to the right side. Specific post-mortem findings Upon opening the carcass, ballooned intestines were evident. There was an excessively large amount of peritoneal fluid found. Yellow substance was found within the intestines. Upon opening the intestines, a large amount of water and scanty feed was observed. A large amount of the yellow bile juice was found in the small intestines. There was erosion of the intestinal wall. There was a small amount of faecal material in the rectum with signs of diarrhoea. All other organs appeared normal. Cause of death The elephant cow appeared to have succumbed to acute gastroenteritis.
Unfortunately, there are no pictures for this case.
Case 7 – 11th October 2023 Waterbuck
Snared
Voi Gate, Tsavo East N.P.
Visitors in Tsavo East National Park reported seeing a snared adult male waterbuck crossing the road. The animal had a tight snare around the muzzle and left hindlimb.
Immobilisation, examination and treatment The snared waterbuck had isolated himself from his family due to the discomfort he was experiencing. He was unable to eat, and his tongue was protruding from the side of his mouth. Immobilization was achieved with a combination of 8 mgs Etorphine and 70 mgs Azaperone. The animal assumed sternal recumbency when the drugs took effect 8 minutes later. Closer examination revealed a tight, thin, winch wire snare around the muzzle. The waterbuck was most likely targeted by bushmeat poachers. The wire snare was cut loose with wire cutters and removed. Luckily, the animal had not suffered any injuries. Anaesthesia was reversed with 100 mgs Naltrexone delivered through the jugular vein. The waterbuck stood 2 minutes post reversal and went to join his herd that was nearby. Prognosis The waterbuck has a good prognosis.
Case 8 – 13th October 2023 Zebra
Snared
Lumo Conservancy
A KWS patrol team sighted a male common zebra foal with a wire snare around the neck. Immobilisation, examination and treatment The zebra foal was found within a herd, it had a stranded wire snare around the neck. The animal was immobilized with 2 mgs Etorphine and 30 mgs Azaperone and assumed left lateral recumbency 2 minutes post-darting. The tight wire was cut loose with wire cutters and removed. Luckily, the snare had not inflicted any injuries. 20 mgs Ivermectin was administered subcutaneously for external and internal parasite control before anaesthesia was reversed with 50 mgs Naltrexone delivered through the jugular vein. The foal stood 2 minutes post-reversal and joined its mother and the herd. Prognosis The zebra has a good prognosis.
Case 9 – 21st October 2023 Elephant
Spear
Ndara, Tsavo East National Park
A SWT pilot on patrol spotted an adult female elephant with a wound on the left thigh region. Immobilisation, examination and treatment The 30-35-year-old elephant cow was found with her family in the Ndara plains within Tsavo East National Park. She had a wound on the left thigh region. The elephant was darted from a vehicle with 17 mgs Etorphine hydrochloride. It took 10 minutes for the drugs to take effect. Closer examination revealed a healing spear wound on the left thigh region that was oozing a little pus. Damaged devitalized muscle tissues were surgically excised then the wound was debrided with Hydrogen peroxide, rinsed with water, disinfected with Iodine, packed with Trimethoprim bolus antibiotics, and sprayed with a topical antibiotic spray. Long-acting amoxicillin antibiotic and Flunixin meglumine anti-inflammatory were given intramuscularly before anaesthesia was reversed with 200 mgs Naltrexone administered through a prominent ear vein. The elephant cow stood 3 minutes post reversal and joined her family. Prognosis The elephant has a good prognosis.
Case 10 – 22nd October 2023 Elephant
Human – Wildlife Conflict
Manga Area
A SWT-KWS De-snaring Unit sighted an elephant bull that was limping and reluctant to move. Immobilisation, examination and treatment The 45-50-year-old elephant bull was found alone and was limping on the right front limb. The animal was approached on foot and darted with 20 mgs Etorphine. It took 7 minutes for the bull to be fully anaesthetized. Upon close examination, it was observed that the right front foot was swollen. A metal rod had pierced the bull’s sole and was still embedded in it. This must have caused the bull immense pain. The metal rod was carefully pulled out then damaged devitalized muscle tissues were surgically excised. The wound was flushed with Hydrogen peroxide, rinsed with water, infused with Iodine, and antibiotic boluses inserted. 30,000 mg Amoxicillin and 5,000 mg Flunixin meglumine anti-inflammatories were administered intramuscularly. Anaesthesia was reversed thereafter with 300 mg Naltrexone administered intravenously through a prominent ear vein. The elephant bull stood 3 minutes post reversal and walked into the bush. Prognosis The elephant bull has a good prognosis.
Case 11 – 23rd October 2023 Zebra
Snared
Taita Saltlick Area
The Taita Conservancy patrol team reported seeing a snared adult female common zebra. Immobilisation, examination and treatment The zebra was found alone near a riverbed, a wire snare was observed around the animal’s neck and right hind limb. The animal was darted from a vehicle with a combination of 7 mgs Etorphine and 70 mgs Azaperone. It took 4 minutes for the drugs to take full effect with the zebra assuming left lateral recumbency. Examination revealed a tight double stranded wire snare around the neck, the snare was tethered to a log, and it had also entangled the zebra’s right hind limb distal to the hock joint. The zebra had active mammary glands and most likely had a foal. The snare was cut loose with wire cutters and removed. Luckily, other than snare impressions at the level of the hock joint, no other injuries were observed. Antibiotics and antiinflammatories were given intramuscularly while 50 mg Ivermectin was given subcutaneously for external and internal parasite control. Anaesthesia reversal was achieved with 100 mgs Naltrexone delivered through the jugular vein. The zebra stood 3 minutes post reversal and went searching for her family. Prognosis The zebra has a good prognosis.
Case 12 – 24th October 2023 Elephant
Human-Wildlife Conflict
Ngiluni Area
A SWT-KWS De-snaring Unit reported that a family of 4 elephants, comprising 3 females and a calf, was roaming in the community area and posed a clear danger to people in the area. Capture and translocation The family was found together when they were first sighted. However, the 1st attempt to immobilize them in an open area was not successful since they ran into a thicket. The 2nd attempt was successful. The matriarch was darted with 17 mgs Etorphine while other 2 females were darted with 15 mgs Etorphine and 8.5 mgs Etorphine respectively. The calf was darted with 2 mgs Etorphine. All the elephants were darted from a helicopter, full immobilization was achieved in 9 -15 minutes. A crane was used to load the elephants onto SWT trucks and a roller tractor for translocation across the fence to Tsavo East National Park. Dexamethasone anti-inflammatories were given intravenously to all. The matriarch and the 2 females each received 3 top up doses of 2 mg Etorphine during translocation. At the release site, anaesthesia was reversed with 200 mg, 150 mg, and 100 mg Naltrexone for the matriarch and the 2 females respectively. The calf was given 50 mg Naltrexone. The reversal drugs were administered intravenously, and at the same time for all elephants. They all stood at almost the same time and walked away together towards the Athi River.
Case 13 – 26th October 2023 Elephant
Post-mortem
Aruba Area, Tsavo East National Park
Visitors in the park spotted a recumbent elephant bull in the Aruba Area and informed KWS management. This information was relayed to the Tsavo Mobile Veterinary Unit that responded immediately. The team found the 50-55-year-old elephant on left lateral recumbency. Unfortunately, the elephant had died approximately 12 hours earlier. Both tusks were intact. A post-mortem examination was undertaken to determine the cause of the old bull’s demise. Post-mortem findings The elephant was in fair body condition before death with a body score of 3 in a scale of 1-5 where 1 is poor and 5 is good. He appeared to have been recumbent for about 2 days before death. Some signs of struggle before death were evident at the scene. No external injury was visible on the carcass. Frothy discharge from the trunk was noted. Upon opening the carcass, both the right and left lung were frothy with severe congestion of lung parenchyma. Pneumonic lungs and a congested liver were noted. All other organs appeared normal. Cause of death The old bull died from severe pneumonia.
Case 14 – 27th October 2023 Elephant
Arrow
Dakota Area
A SWT pilot spotted an adult elephant bull with a wound on the right thigh region. Immobilisation, examination and treatment The 25 – 30-year-old elephant bull was found in a bachelor herd that was grazing in a green flat area. The injured elephant bull was darted from a vehicle and immobilized with 20 mgs Etorphine hydrochloride. It took 9 minutes for the drugs to take full effect. Closer examination revealed an arrow wound in the right thigh region. The area was extremely swollen and was oozing pus. An incision was made to drain the pus ventral to the abscess, and an arrowhead was retrieved from the wound. It was believed that the elephant was most likely shot with an arrow during a human-wildlife conflict incident. Damaged devitalized muscle tissues were surgically excised then the wound was debrided with Hydrogen peroxide, rinsed with water, infused with Iodine, and antibiotic boluses inserted. Antibiotic spray was applied topically then the wound was packed with green clay. Long-acting Amoxicillin antibiotics and Dexamethasone anti-inflammatories were given intramuscularly before anaesthesia was reversed with 250 mgs Naltrexone given through a prominent ear vein. The elephant bull stood 3 minutes post reversal and went searching for his companions. Prognosis The elephant bull has a good prognosis.
Case 15 – 30th October 2023 Elephant
Natural Causes
Kamboyo, Tsavo West National Park
A SWT-KWS De-snaring Unit reported finding a male elephant calf that had been injured by lions.
Examination and treatment The veterinary team found the 3-year-old elephant calf on right lateral recumbency seemingly in pain and unable to move. Multiple wounds were observed around the left elbow joint and knee joint. 60 mgs Azaperone was administered to calm the calf for ease of examination. Complete destruction of the left elbow joint was evident. Multiple fragments from the ulna and radius could be felt and were collected from the wound. Sadly, the calf had a grave prognosis and was put to rest to alleviate further pain and suffering. A post-mortem examination was performed thereafter. Post-mortem findings Upon opening the left front leg from the humerus, the team found that the elbow joint capsule was completely destroyed; bone fragments were found distal to the elbow joint; there was a fracture of the ulna and radius proximally. Conclusion The fracture was caused by a lion’s canine teeth as it attempted to prey on the calf.