SWT/KWS Tsavo Mobile Veterinary Report for September 2024
Introduction
12 Cases in September
September Report by Dr. Campaign Limo
3 Lion Cases 7 Elephant Cases
Very little rain fell in Tsavo at the beginning of September, and only a few water pans remained full towards the end of the month. Vegetation is also rapidly drying out Thankfully, most animals are still in good body condition. The Tsavo Mobile Veterinary Unit attended to 12 cases in September 2024. These comprised 7 elephant cases, 3 lion cases, 1 Masai giraffe case, and 1 common zebra 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 Sheldrick Wildlife Trust for funding the Tsavo Mobile Veterinary Unit.
Case Details
2-Sep-24
September 2024
Human-Wildlife Conflict
Kuranze Ranch
A KWS team in Kuranze Ranch spotted an elephant cow and her little calf trapped in a well.
Rescue
Since the well was deep, the team decided to fill it with water using pumps and a SWT water bowser that was close to the site. As the water levels in the well rose, there was increased buoyancy for both the calf and her mother.
The calf appeared exhausted and was pulled out first using ropes. The calf was tethered to a nearby tree as the team proceeded to extract its mother from the well When the water level was high enough, the ropes were slung around the mother and with the water bowser and a land cruiser towing concurrently, the elephant was successfully pulled out to safety. The calf was immediately set free once the mother was on her feet, they reunited and briskly walked away
Case 2 –
Lion
Natural Causes
This adult lioness was seen limping in Taita Saltlick Sanctuary by visitors. The Sanctuary through its management informed the Tsavo Mobile Veterinary Unit.
Immobilisation, examination and treatment
The lioness was immobilized with a combination of 4.8 mg Medetomidine and 220 mg Ketamine. Darting was done from the vehicle, and it took 10 minutes for the drugs to take full effect.
Examination revealed that the lioness had a wound on the foot pad and several smaller fresh wounds on the neck, shoulder and on the back of the head. The injuries were suspected to be from predator-prey interactions. The wounds were thoroughly cleaned and disinfected, topical antibiotic spray was thereafter applied on all wounds. Additionally, the lioness received shots of antibiotics and NSAID anti-inflammatory medication parenterally. Anaesthesia was reversed with 25 mg Atipamezole given intramuscularly. She stood 10 minutes later and walked away to join her pride waiting nearby.
Prognosis
The lioness has a good prognosis.
Taita Hills Sanctuary
Elephant Arrow Satao Area, Tsavo East National Park
This injured adult elephant bull was spotted by a SWT pilot on routine park patrol
Immobilisation, examination and treatment
The elephant bull was successfully immobilized with 20 mg Etorphine hydrochloride. The animal was darted from the vehicle, and it took 10 minutes for full anaesthesia to be achieved. Examination revealed a firm swelling on the left flank with small openings on the dorsal and ventral surfaces. On probing the swelling, a metallic foreign body was felt embedded deep within the tissues. The opening was extended to expose the foreign body and ease removal, two pieces of a metallic object were extracted from the wound and were positively identified to be parts of an arrowhead. The wound was then cleaned with water and flushed with Hydrogen peroxide, rinsed and infused with tincture of Iodine. Antibiotic pessaries were then introduced into the wound followed by topical antibiotic spray. Additionally, the bull was given Amoxicillin antibiotics and Flunixin anti-inflammatories parenterally. Anaesthesia was reversed with 200 mg Naltrexone hydrochloride delivered intravenously via a prominent ear vein. He rose and hastily walked away 3 minutes later.
Prognosis
The elephant bull has a good prognosis
Case
Elephant Arrow Satao Area, Tsavo East National Park
This adult elephant bull had been treated a few weeks prior for an arrow wound, he was due for repeat treatment to hasten healing. The Tsavo Mobile veterinary Unit attend to the elephant after he was spotted by a SWT pilot.
Immobilisation, examination and treatment
The elephant was immobilized with 20 mg Etorphine hydrochloride. He was darted from a vehicle, and it took 8 minutes for the drugs to achieve its full effects.
Examination revealed that the wounds were healing nicely with very little pus. The wounds were cleaned, disinfected, and covered with a topical antibiotic spray. He was additionally given a shot of Amoxicillin antibiotics parenterally. Anaesthesia was reversed with 200 mg Naltrexone hydrochloride given intravenously via a prominent ear vein. He rose and hastily walked away 3 minutes later.
Prognosis
The elephant has a good prognosis
Case
Lion Snared Oldonyo Lodge, Chyulu Hills
A thermal camera captured this lion near Oldonyo Lodge, he had a wire snare around the neck. Big Life and Lion Guardian teams in the area notified the Tsavo Mobile Veterinary Unit that responded immediately.
Immobilisation, examination and treatment
The lion was successfully anesthetized with 6 mg Medetomidine and 240 mg Ketamine. He was darted from the vehicle, and it took 11 minutes for full anaesthesia to be achieved.
Examination revealed a winch wire snare around the neck, the snare was immediately cut off with wire cutters. Luckily, it had not inflicted any injuries. Anaesthesia was reversed with 25 mg Atipamezole given intramuscularly. He rose and slowly walked away 10 minutes later to join his companion
Prognosis
The lion has a good prognosis.
Elephant Natural Causes Kanga Area, Tsavo West National Park
This adult elephant bull was spotted by a SWT pilot during a routine patrol around the park, he had a swelling on the flank area. The Tsavo Mobile Veterinary Unit was notified and responded to investigate.
Immobilisation, examination and treatment
The elephant was successfully immobilized with 20 mg Etorphine hydrochloride delivered remotely in a 3cc Dan inject dart. Darting was carried out from a helicopter, and it took 9 minutes for the drugs to take effect.
Examination revealed a firm swelling on the right flank area, on aspiration no contents were extracted. The swelling was confirmed to be excessive granulation tissue formed during the healing process Anaesthesia was immediately reversed with 200 mg Naltrexone hydrochloride delivered intravenously via a prominent ear vein. The bull stood slowly and walked away 3 minutes later.
Prognosis
The elephant bull has a good prognosis.
Zebra Snared
Taita Hills Sanctuary
This adult female common zebra was spotted with a thick wire snare around her neck by visitors at the Taita Hills Sanctuary.
Immobilisation, examination and treatment
The zebra was successfully immobilized with a combination of 6mg Etorphine and 60mg Azaperone delivered in a 3cc Dan inject dart. The animal was darted from the vehicle, and it took 7 minutes for the drugs to achieve full effect.
Examination revealed a thick wire snare bound around the neck, some bruising was also noted on the neck and the right forelimb. The wire snare was immediately cut loose with wire cutters and the bruises cleaned and disinfected. Topical antibiotic spray was applied on all bruises. Anaesthesia was reversed with 100 mg Naltrexone hydrochloride given intravenously via the jugular vein.
Prognosis
The zebra has a good prognosis.
Case 8 – 12th September 2024
Elephant Spear Njalai, Amboseli Ranches
This injured adult elephant bull had been treated a few weeks prior for a spear wound. The Big Life team monitoring his progress reported that his condition was still deteriorating. Repeat treatment was due.
Immobilisation, examination and treatment
This bull was successfully immobilized with 18 mg Etorphine hydrochloride. The elephant was darted from the vehicle, and it took 8 minutes for full anaesthesia to be achieved.
Examination revealed a deep, septic, spear wound at the anterior surface of the left elbow joint, the wound was oozing pus. Pus and devitalized tissues were immediately evacuated from the wound. The wound was then thoroughly flushed with Hydrogen peroxide, rinsing with water and infused with tincture of Iodine.
Antibiotic pessaries were packed in the wound followed by topical antibiotic spray. Additionally, the bull received shots of Amoxicillin antibiotics and Flunixin anti-inflammatories parenterally. The bull was revived with 200 mg Naltrexone hydrochloride given intravenously via a prominent ear vein. He rose and walked away 3 minutes later.
Prognosis
The elephant bull has a guarded prognosis
Lion
Natural Causes
Njalai, Amboseli Ranches
An adult male lion was reported to be on right lateral recumbency in a shaded area by herders, the lion was weak and had a distended abdomen. Sadly, the team found the lion had already succumbed when they arrived.
Post-mortem findings
The lion had sunken eyelids due to dehydration. The abdomen was distended. Both lung lobes were congested. There were ecchymotic haemorrhages on the right lung. The oesophagus was full of reflux. The stomach was full and distended. There was trichobezoars in the stomach. The stomach had rotated 180 degrees along its horizontal axis. The small and large intestines were empty.
Cause of death
The rotation of the stomach had resulted to occlusion of the duodenum preventing passage of the stomach contents to the intestines. This resulted to dehydration and hypoglycemia. The lion died from complications of gastric torsion among them hypoglycemia and dehydration resulting in shock
Giraffe
Human-Wildlife Conflict
Mgeno Ranch
KWS and Wildlife works rangers spotted this adult male Masai giraffe entangled in the electric fence at the Izera and Mgeno boundary. The Tsavo Mobile Veterinary Unit was notified and responded immediately. Unfortunately, the veterinary team found the giraffe dead when they arrived.
Post-mortem findings
The giraffe was found on left lateral recumbency with both hind limbs entangled in the fence wire. Both hind limbs had injuries inflicted by the wire. There was clotted blood on the ground and on the left side of the giraffe’s head.
Cause of death
The giraffe died from a concussion due to repeatedly hitting of its head on the ground as it tried to stand
Natural Causes
Ngutuni Area
Visitors spotted this injured male elephant calf with his family close to Ngutunyi Lodge, he was limping.
Immobilisation, examination and treatment
The calf and his mother were both immobilized with 1.5 mg and 20 mg Etorphine hydrochloride respectively. They were darted from the vehicle, and both were fully anaesthetized 10 minutes later. Upon examination, the calf was found to have multiple wounds on his extremities and one on the right flank. These wounds were suspected to be from a lion attack. The wounds were deep and septic, all wounds were thoroughly debrided, cleaned, flushed with Hydrogen peroxide, rinsed with water, and infused with tincture of Iodine. The wounds were thereafter packed with antibiotic pessaries and green clay. Topical antibiotic spray was then applied on all the wounds. Additionally, the calf was given antibiotics and anti-inflammatories parenterally. Both the calf and the mother were revived simultaneously with 70 mg and 200 mg Naltrexone hydrochloride respectively. They rose together 3 minutes later and walked away to join the rest of the family waiting nearby.
Prognosis
The elephant calf has a guarded prognosis
Natural Causes
Gazi Area
This injured adult elephant bull was spotted outside the park in the community area, he had a wound on his upper thigh.
Immobilisation, examination and treatment
The bull was first herded back into Tsavo East National Park with assistance from a helicopter. He was darted on the way through the fence with 20 mg Etorphine hydrochloride delivered in a 3cc Dan inject dart. Darting was done from the helicopter, and he was fully anaesthetized 8 minutes later.
Examination revealed a fresh fight wound, approximately 10 cm deep, on the posterior upper left thigh. The wound was flushed with Hydrogen peroxide, rinsed with water and infused with tincture of Iodine. Antibiotic pessaries and green clay were packed in the wound followed by topical antibiotic spray. The bull additionally received a shots of Amoxicillin antibiotics and Flunixin anti-inflammatories parenterally. Anaesthesia was reversed with 200 mg Naltrexone hydrochloride given intravenously via a prominent ear vein. He stood and slowly walked away 3 minutes later.
