SWT/KWS AMBOSELI MOBILE VETERINARY UNIT April 2019
Introduction
5 Cases in April
2 Elephant Cases
2 Giraffe Cases
April Report by Dr Kariuki During April 2019, Amboseli Mobile Veterinary Unit (AMVU) attended to four incidences regarding three distressed wild animals. The animals included an elephant that was treated and two giraffes. The elephant was treated for a wound but subsequently died after eight days. The vet unit then conducted a post-mortem to determine cause of death. The unit also heard reports of an injured lion in the Chyulu Hills but it could not be traced due to terrain and loss of VHF signal. This could mean that the animal may not have been as distressed as previously thought. A description of the five cases attended during April follows in the subsequent pages of the report. Acknowledgement We thank David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust (DSWT) for material support and Mobile Unit funding, KWS for logistical support and security. Biglife foundation and DWST rangers for reporting and monitoring of distressed wild animals. Lion guardians are thanked for the lion report and assistance in tracking and search for the lion.
Case Details Date
Species
Area Found
Reason for Intervention
Outcome
07-Apr-19
Giraffe
Amboseli Environs
Post-mortem
The carcass was not bloated but considered emaciated
Died
08-Apr-19
Elephant
Chyulu NP
Natural Causes
Had a swollen right forelimb but no other problem could be recognised
Successfully Treated
16-Apr-19
Elephant
Chyulu NP
Post-mortem
The elephant looked emaciated. No evidence of a pre-death struggle
Died
17-Apr-19
Giraffe
Kimana Group Ranch
Natural Causes
Left hind leg had an injury at the fetlock joint
Successfully Treated
30-Apr-19
Lion
Chyulu Hills
Natural Causes
KWS reported a sick lion
Not Located
SWT/KWS Amboseli Mobile Vet Unit Treatment Locations April 2019
Case 1 – 7th April 2019 Giraffe
Post-mortem
Olgulului Conservancy, Amboseli
The local community at Isiteti reported the dead giraffe to KWS rangers at Kitirwa patrol base. The Rangers visited the site, confirmed and reported the case to AMVU who attended the site and performed a necropsy. Examination and Findings The carcass was found lying on lateral position. It was not bloated but considered emaciated. Fluids flowing from the mouth and nostrils and had spread onto the ground near the head. A lateral abdominal incision was made to open the carcass. The internal organs were examined, and the following was noted; • •
• •
Fluids exuding from the mouth were mixed with digested food remains Abdominal cavity observations; i. The sub-cutis was yellow to white, a sign that indicates anaemia before death ii. Small intestines were relatively bloated but not the rumen. iii. The larger intestines looked healthy with no visible pathology Lungs; consolidation of the upper lobes indicating an inflammatory reaction Kidneys; renal cortex and the medulla were relatively indistinct at the cortical medullar junction
Cause of Death Cause of death was suffocation, the cause is undetermined but could have resulted due to factors such as anemia.
Case 2 – 8th April 2019 Elephant
Natural Causes
Karlo Farm, Makindu
A lame male elephant was reported to AMVU on 7 April 2019. The bull was immobile and had spent more than a day in a single spot. Immobilisation, examination and treatment The elephant was captured chemically using 20mg Etorphine HCl. It went down in about 7 minutes and was placed on lateral recumbency for ease of treatment. The elephant was emaciated with a body score of 2 out of 5. The mucous membranes were pale and exhibited relative dehydration. The elephant’s right forelimb was swollen but no other problem could be found. The leg wound wound was narrow and there was no foreign body found. The elephant was treated systemically with 100ml of Amoxicillin antibiotic (Betamox), and 50ml Catasol through the intramuscular route. Calvasone was given as a painkiller. Prognosis The prognosis was fair.
Case 3 – 16th April 2019 Elephant
Post-mortem
Karlo Farm, Makindu
KWS rangers at Mukururo reported the dead elephant to AMVU on 16 April 2019. The same elephant had been treated eight days previously. The elephant was fresh when the necropsy was done. Examination and Findings The carcass was found lying on the left lateral position. The carcass was relatively fresh with minimal decomposition. The elephant carcass demonstrated poor body condition before death. Ticks were found on the elephant and collected. The quantity found was normal for a wild animal. An incision opened the wounded forelimb at the point of injury and pus flowed from the injured limb. Cause of Death Exhaustion due to lack of feeding and drinking. This could have been due to pain from the injury.
Case 4 – 17th April 2019 Giraffe
Natural Causes
Kimana Group Ranch, Amboseli
Big-life Foundation rangers reported the giraffe to the AMVU on 17 April 2019. The giraffe was lame and inactive. The AMVU team confirmed and treated the animal on the same day.
Immobilisation, examination and treatment The giraffe was captured chemically using 12mg Etorphine HCl and 30mg Azaperone. While drowsy, the giraffe was pulled down to a lateral recumbency position by physical traction using ropes. The giraffe was in good body condition. The left hind leg had an injury at the fetlock joint. The wound was cleaned and irrigated with iodine. Further treatment included administration of 100ml of Amoxicillin antibiotics (Betamox), and 20ml Calvasone through the intramuscular route. Topical Oxy-tetracycline spray was applied to prevent fly strike. Prognosis The prognosis was good.
Case 5 – 30th April 2019 Lion
Natural Causes
Chyulu Hills
KWS reported a lion that seemed to be unwell. The AMVU travelled to the Chyulu Hills but could not trace the animal. The search was rendered impossible after the signal was lost and the landscape and forest could not allow further tracking on foot. The animal was not seen or treated. KWS rangers will monitor the area and report to AMVU if they find the animal again. No pictures available for this case
Report by Dr Edward Kariuki