SWT/KWS AMBOSELI MOBILE VETERINARY UNIT OCTOBER 2019
Introduction
8 Cases in October
4 Poaching Cases
2 Elephant Cases
Month Report by Dr. Edward Kariuki During October 2019, Amboseli Mobile Veterinary Unit (AMVU) attended to 8 cases involving 8 wild mammals that included 5 giraffes, 2 elephants and a lioness with four cubs. Snares were removed from three giraffes, while the fourth and fifth were treated for a wound and partial blindness respectively. An elephant was treated for injury on its flank area, and a post-mortem examination was conducted to determine the cause of death of a female elephant. A lioness that had attacked and injured two people was moved from the community livestock grazing area to the protected Conservancy. Acknowledgement We thank Sheldrick Wildlife Trust (SWT) for material support and Mobile Unit funding, KWS for logistical support and security. Amboseli Park rangers, Olgulului community rangers, SWT rangers for reporting and monitoring of distressed wild animals.
Case Details Species
Area Found
09-Oct-19
Giraffe
Kimana Sanctuary
Human Wildlife Conflict
10-Oct-19
Giraffe
Tsavo West NP
Snared
10-Oct-19
Giraffe
Tsavo West NP
Snared
11-Oct-19
Elephant
Tsavo East NP
Natural Causes
16-Oct-19
Giraffe
Ilbissil, Kajiado
Human Wildlife Conflict
17-Oct-19
Elephant
Tsavo West NP
Postmortem
18-Oct-19
Giraffe
Selengei Conservancy
Natural Causes
Lion
Amboseli Environs
Human Wildlife Conflict
Date
20-Oct-19
Reason for Intervention The animal had an old tire ring on the neck. The ring could have been used as a snare or was it was a boys play toy The giraffe was observed to have a cable wire hanging neck from the neck. However, the wire didn’t inflict any visible wound Had a snare around the neck which was removed. The animal had an infected wound to the flank area. The wound was about 10cm deep and likely natural The perineal area was covered with blood, and oozing pus, possibly caused when crossing fences. The carcass was found lying on the left lateral position. Body tissues were relatively fresh and not decomposed. An examination of the eye showed corneal opacity on both eyes. Both eyes had considerable tick infestation and clear mucoid discharge The lion had mauled two local Masai men and had to be relocated
Outcome Successfully Treated Successfully Treated Successfully Treated Successfully Treated Successfully Treated Died
Prognosis Poor Task Successful
SWT/KWS Amboseli Mobile Vet Unit Treatment Locations October 2019
. Case
1 – 9th October 2019
Giraffe
Human-Wildlife Conflict
Isinet, Kimana Sanctuary
The AMVU team received the report of a giraffe with a snare around the neck from Big Life Foundation rangers on 9th October 2019. The rangers were tasked to follow and keep the animal in sight before the veterinary intervention.
Immobilisation, examination and treatment A dart was prepared with 15mg Etorphine and 50mg Azaperone for immobilizing the giraffe. The giraffe went down 10 minutes after darting and while on the ground, Diprenorphine (36mgs) was used for immediate revival. Physical restraint was then used to hold the animal to the ground for treatment. The animal had an old tire ring around the neck. The ring could have been used as a snare or was a boys play toy but wrongly disposed, must likely the latter. The wire was removed with a wire cutter, then antibiotics were given systemically. Prognosis The prognosis was good.
Case 2 – 10th October 2019 Giraffe
Snared
Chyulu Gate, Tsavo West NP
The AMVU team received the report of a giraffe with a snare around the neck from the park rangers on 10th October 2019.
Immobilisation, examination and treatment A dart was prepared with 15mg Etorphine and 50mg Azaperone for immobilizing the giraffe. The giraffe went down 9 minutes after darting and while on the ground, Diprenorphine (36mgs) was used for immediate revival. The giraffe was then manually restrained using manpower whilst the snare was removed. The giraffe was observed to have a cable wire hanging from the neck. However, the wire hadn’t inflicted any visible wounds. The giraffe was treated with parenteral Amoxicillin and Dexamethasone. Prognosis The prognosis was good.
Case 3 – 10th October 2019 Giraffe
Snared
Mzima Springs, Tsavo West NP
The AMVU team received the report of a giraffe with a snare around the neck from Park ranges in Tsavo West National Park on 10th October 2019.
Immobilisation, examination and treatment A dart containing 15mg Etorphine and 50mg Azaperone was prepared to immobilise the giraffe. The giraffe went down 10 minutes after darting and while on the ground, was immediate revived with Diprenorphine (36mgs). The giraffe was then physical restrained for snare removal and treatment. The snare was wrapped around the neck. The snare was removed with a wire cutter and then the giraffe was given Amoxicillin and Colvasone to cover for infection and pain. Prognosis The prognosis was good.
Case 4 – 11th October 2019 Elephant
Natural Causes
Dakota, Tsavo East National Park
The elephant was sighted and reported by the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust aerial patrol team to the Park Management and AMVU team.
Immobilisation, examination and treatment The elephant was immobilised chemically with 20mg Etorphine. It went down after 8 minutes and rested on sternal recumbency. A vehicle and ropes were used for prompt turning into lateral recumbency. On inspection, the animal had an infected wound on the flank area. The wound was about 10cm deep but most likely caused naturally. The wound was cleaned and irrigated with Hydrogen peroxide to debride dead tissue and Iodine to cover for infection. Prognosis The prognosis was good.
Case 5 – 16th October 2019 Giraffe
Human-Wildlife Conflict
Kajiado
The AMVU team received a report regarding an injured giraffe from the Trust office in Nairobi on 15th October 2019.
Immobilisation, examination and treatment A dart containing 15mg Etorphine and 50mg Azaperone was used for immobilizing the giraffe. The giraffe went down 10 minutes after darting and was immediately revived using Diprenorphine (36mgs). The giraffe was physically restrained using human power for the treatment. Prior to being immobilised the animal was observed browsing and seemed to be undisturbed. However, the perineal area was covered with blood, and some areas were oozing exudates. Following immobilisation, the wound was cleaned with Hydrogen peroxide and Iodine then a topical antibiotic (Oxytetracycline) was applied to the injury. Blood and tick samples were also collected. Prognosis The prognosis was good.
Case 6 – 17th October 2019 Elephant
Post-mortem
Tsavo West National Park
KWS rangers at Tsavo West National park reported the dead elephant to AMVU on 16 October 2019. The female was suspected to have died on the night of 15 October 2019. The tusks were intact but removed for custody a day before the Post mortem examination. Post-mortem Examination The carcass was located in the lava stone hills at Tsavo West. No evidence of a pre-death struggle was observed. The female elephant fell on the left lateral side, and the rear hind legs were spread out from the body. Body tissues were relatively fresh and not decomposed. The carcass was relatively bloated, and flies were gathering upon the surface. The carcass was turned over, but no external injuries were found on either side. The elephant was estimated to be between 25-30 years. No information was available on the elephant before death. The elephant carcass demonstrated fair body condition before death. However, this can be justified by recent parturition and lactating processes. No exudation of body fluids from the mouth, nostrils or any other external orifice was observed or recorded. Ticks were found on the elephant and collected. The quantity found was typical for such a wild animal. The abdominal subcutis showed massive congestion extending to superficial blood vessels and underlying muscles. A puncture incision made through the lateral flunk area led to release of colourless peritoneal fluid. Cause of Death Non-conclusive. However, the presence of abnormal fluid in the peritoneum, the congestion of the subcutis and associated superficial vessels could point to a natural disease process and probably of bacterial origin.
Case 7 – 18th October 2019 Giraffe
Natural Causes
Selengei Conservancy, Amboseli
AMVU team received the report of a giraffe with a snare on the limb from Big Life rangers. Immobilisation, examination and treatment A dart containing 15mg Etorphine and 50mg Azaperone was used to immobilizing the giraffe. The giraffe went down 8 minutes after darting and was then physically restrained as the anaesthetic was reversed immediately with Diprenorphine (36mgs). Prior to immobilisation the animal was observed to be calm and did not mind being approached. It did not have a snare but the eye had a clear mucoid discharge. It also appeared to have poor eyesight or blurred vision. However, it was responsive to a close approach. Once immobilized, an examination of the eye showed corneal opacity on both eyes. Both eyes had considerable tick infestation and clear mucoid discharge. The eyelashes were also heavily infested with ticks. The giraffe was treated with a topical antibiotic (Opticlox) which was put into the eyes, while Amoxicillin and Colvasone were administered systematically. Prognosis The prognosis was guarded as the animal was not feeding due to its inability to see where it was going and it susceptible to predation.
Case 8 – 20th October 2019 Lion
Human-Wildlife Conflict
Amboseli Environs
The AMVU team received the report of a female lion in conflict with the local community on the 20th October 2019. The lion had mauled two local Masai men during the day on the 19th and 20th October 2019..
Relocation The animal was in a thicket nursing her four cubs. On approach, she was aggressive in a manner to protect her cubs. Chemical immobilization was attained with 0.5ml Medetomidine and 2.8ml Ketamine. The animal was fully anaesthetized after 12 minutes. A collar was fixed for monitoring after release. Blood samples and ticks were collected. The animal was loaded into a crate and put into a land cruiser and transported to an area away from the community land. The cubs were transported in a separate vehicle to prevent any possible injury. Once the female was at the desired location, she was revived with 2.5ml Atipamezole. Prognosis Prognosis is good. Once revived, she acknowledged the presence of her cubs and started suckling them.