SWT/KWS AMBOSELI MOBILE VETERINARY UNIT MARCH 2019
Introduction
11 Cases in March
6 Elephant Cases
2 HWC Cases
March Report by Dr. Edward Kariuki During March 2019, the Amboseli Mobile Veterinary Unit (AMVU) attended to 11 animal cases. Six wildebeest males were sampled for disease investigation. Three elephants were treated for different illnesses and a similar number examined for cause of death. A Nile hippo and a cheetah were examined for cause of death around the Marula area at Isinet, Amboseli. Acknowledgement We thank the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust (SWT) for material support and Mobile Unit funding, KWS for logistical support and security. Biglife foundation, and SWT rangers for reporting and monitoring of distressed wild animals They are also thanked for assistance in aerial surveillance of the elephants after darting.
Case Details Date
Species
Area Found
Reason for Intervention
Outcome
02-Mar-19
Elephant
Selenkei Conservancy
Natural Causes
The mucous membranes were pale, and the bull exhibited relative dehydration
Successfully Treated
04-Mar-19
Giraffe
Amboseli Environs
Natural Causes
The giraffe was reported immobile and inactive
Died
15-Mar-19
Elephant
Amboseli National Park
Post-mortem
Body tissues substantially destroyed due to decomposition but mainly to predation
Died
18-Mar-19
Elephant
Kimana Sanctuary
Spear
The right abdominal wall had an extensive penetrating injury
Poaching Death
20-Mar-19
Elephant
Kiboko, Amboseli
Post-mortem
Body tissues substantially destroyed due to decomposition
Died
22-Mar-19
Elephant
Tsavo East National Park
Natural Causes
The foreleg had an internal fracture which could have been caused by a fall or a fight
Successfully Treated
22-Mar-19
Elephant
Tsavo East National Park
Natural Causes
The right hind leg had an old fracture that had healed but with a fused joint
Successfully Treated
23-Mar-19
Antelope
Amboseli National Park
Research/Survey
Research to test for the relationship between, odour and parasites infection
Task Successful
25-Mar-19
Other
Kimana Sanctuary
Post-mortem
The hippo had multiple injuries on the skin. It also had a severe cut around the neck.
Died
27-Mar-19
Giraffe
Amboseli Environs
Human- Wildlife Conflict
Trapped in a fence; a hostile community prevented the vet team from extracting it
HWC Death
31-Mar-19
Cheetah
Kimana Sanctuary
Human- Wildlife Conflict
The cheetah carcass demonstrated good body condition before death. Most likely poisoned
HWC Death
SWT/KWS Amboseli Mobile Vet Unit Treatment Locations March 2019
Case 1 – 2nd March 2019 Elephant
Natural Causes
Selenkei Conservancy
A male elephant was reported with emaciation to AMVU on 2nd March 2019. The bull was observed to be inactive and reluctant to move away for several days.
Immobilisation, examination and treatment The elephant was captured chemically using 20mg Etorphine HCl. It went down in about 8 minutes and was placed on lateral recumbency for ease of treatment. The elephant was very emaciated with a body score of 2 out of 5. The mucous membranes were pale, and the bull exhibited relative dehydration. However, no other problem could be recognised. Non-specific emaciation was the only finding at the time of treatment. The elephant was treated systemically with antibiotics (100ml of Amoxicillin) and Catasol 50ml intramuscularly. Prognosis The prognosis was good.
Case 2 – 4th March 2019 Giraffe
Post-mortem
Kimana Group Ranch
Big-life Foundation Rangers reported this giraffe to the AMVU on the evening of the 3rd March 2019. The giraffe was reported immobile and inactive. A visit to the site by the AMVU team confirmed the same, but it was raining and too late in the evening to dart the animal for examination. The team returned to the animal the next day but found it had died overnight. Examination The giraffe carcass had swollen feet at the interdigital space. However, the carcass had been scavenged and there was little remaining to indicate any disease of significant concern. The giraffe was disposed of by burning to preempt any unexpected outcome.
Case 3 – 15th March 2019 Elephant
Post-mortem
Narok, Masai Mara
KWS rangers at Amboseli National Park reported the dead elephant to AMVU on 15/03/2019. The rangers directed and assisted the AMVU in accessing the carcass and site for the necropsy. Examination Gross Observations; the carcass was found lying on lateral position. Body tissues substantially destroyed due to decomposition but mainly to predation. The elephant had no tusks on her by the time AMVU visited the site. KWS rangers had removed the tusks for custody reasons. On examination, the carcass was missing most organs. The few internal organs available could not construct a logical and defined cause of death. Cause of Death The cause could not be determined. The carcass was decomposed and extensively scavenged.
Case 4 – 18th March 2019 Elephant
Post-mortem - Spear
Kimana Sanctuary
Big Life Foundation rangers reported the dead elephant to the management of Amboseli National Park. The management conveyed the same message to AMVU for necropsy. Examination The post-mortem examination was conducted at night to avoid predation. The carcass was found lying on laterally and extensively bloated. The right abdominal wall had an extensive penetrating injury from which bloody fluids oozed out. A lateral abdominal incision was made to open the carcass. The following was noted: •
The peritoneal space had plenty of bloody fluids indicating a case of severe bleeding.
• •
Small intestines were congested and bloated. The intestines had extensive patches of haemorrhages. Blood vessels around the intestines were severed and had bled substantially
Cause of Death Cause of death was severe blood loss resulting from damage inflicted by a suspected spear injury.
Case 5 – 20th March 2019 Elephant
Post-mortem
Kiboko, Amboseli
KWS rangers at PAMU Kiboko reported the dead elephant to AMVU on 20 March 2019. Mr Yusuf directed and assisted the AMVU in accessing the carcass for necropsy. The elephant had no tusks by the time AMVU team accessed the site. Examination Gross Observations: The carcass was found lying in a lateral position. The body tissues were substantially destroyed due to decomposition. Biomass of mature larvae (maggots) was found on almost all parts of the body penetrating the lower abdominal wall and into all internal organs and structures. The internal organs were entirely eaten up by maggots. A dark coloured fluid and biomass of maggots flowed from the carcass and wetted the adjacent area. Cause of Death The cause could not be determined. The carcass was decomposed and deficient of information that could lead to any specific cause of death.
Case 6 – 22nd March 2019 Elephant
Natural Causes
Emsaya, Amboseli
KWS rangers at Emsaya area reported the lame calf to SWT headquarters after which the AMVU was notified. The calf was reported struggling to move while the mother was hostile. Immobilisation, examination and treatment Both the mother and calf were immobilized. The mother was darted first followed by the calf with only 30 metres distance in between. The calf was placed on lateral recumbency for ease of examination and treatment. The right foreleg had an internal fracture leading to pus accumulation. The fracture could have been caused by trauma after a fall or a fight. The calf was treated using an antibiotic (BetamoxÂŽ) and Dexamethasone. The drug was given intramuscularly through the gluteal muscles. Prognosis The prognosis was good.
Case 7 – 22nd March 2019 Elephant
Natural Causes
Tsavo East National Park
A report of a lame elephant was received from SWT rangers near Manyani Gate in Tsavo East National Park. The elephant was reported to be dragging the hind leg and was observed at the water point. Immobilisation, examination and treatment The elephant was immobilized chemically and following darting went down in about 7 minutes. The elephant was placed on lateral recumbency for ease of examination and treatment as well as to allow for breathing. The right hind leg had an old fracture that had healed and the leg bones fused. The fracture wound had no complication despite the lameness. The elephant was treated using 100ml Betamox and Dexamethasone. The drug was given through intramuscular route. Prognosis The prognosis was good.
Case 8 – 22nd – 25th March 2019 Wildebeest
Research/Survey
Amboseli National Park
Zebra and wildebeest body odours are hypothesized to regulate parasite infection. In a past study, common zebra odours were observed to contain repellant properties against tsetse flies and ticks. Wildebeest are also rare targets for tsetse flies and ticks. In order to test for the relationship between odour and parasites infection, six wildebeest were sampled for odours. Skin odours, breath, feces, blood and parasites were collected. Immobilisation and examination The wildebeest were immobilized with a mixture of 4mg Etorphine and 60 mg Azaperone. All samples from the wildebeest will be examined for fly and tick repellent properties. Target repellent molecules will be extracted from the samples for the study. The molecules will contain the treatment in a controlled experiment. Treated and non-treated traps will be set in infested environments to measure capture rates. Prognosis All the sampled wildebeest had a good prognosis. All were immobilized and revived without difficulties.
Case 9 – 25th March 2019 Hippo
Post-mortem
Marula, Amboseli
KWS rangers at Loitoktok station reported the dead hippo to AMVU on 25 March 2019. The same rangers assisted the AMVU team gain access to the dead hippo. Examination The hippo had multiple injuries on the skin. It also had a severe cut around the neck. The female hippo was old and seemed to have fought with other hippos in the territory. It had severe wounds and scorched skin. It seemed to have been out of the water for an extended period of time. Cause of Death The injuries were probably inflicted by a fierce territorial fight. History of the presence of the dead hippo in the area married well with the theory.
Case 10 – 27th March 2019 Giraffe
Snared
Oldonyo Lenkai, Amboseli
Maina, a former KWS PAMU ranger reported the case and gave the contacts of the people on the ground. A visit to the site by the AMVU team confirmed the snared giraffe.
Examination and treatment The giraffe died due to exhaustion and myopathy. The giraffe had struggled over night and the better part of the day before the team arrived. The giraffe could not be freed due to hostile community members who wanted compensation for the damaged fence. The community interfered with the successful removal of the giraffe from the snare. Given kind reception and cooperation, the giraffe could have survived by cutting the fence wires to release the animal. However, the suggestion was received with exceptional hostility from the community. Attempts to try removal by rewinding the wires to save the fence was unsuccessful and the giraffe died before the exercise was completed.
Case 11 – 31st March 2019 Cheetah
Human-Wildlife Conflict; Poison
Isineti Village, Kimana
Big Life Foundation rangers reported a dead cheetah at Isineti area. No livestock predation or conflict cases regarding the cheetah had been reported by the time of the necropsy. Examination The male cheetah had a distended stomach. Bloody fluids were flowing from the mouth and nostrils. Blackish loose faecal material was spotted around the anal area. No evidence of a pre-death struggle was observed. No scratching or body movement marks were observed on the ground next to the dead carcass. The cheetah carcass demonstrated good body condition before death. The carcass was relatively fresh with minimal decomposition. The stomach was slightly bloated. Ticks and flies were the only external parasites found on the cheetah. The quantity found was normal for such a wild animal and at such stage of decomposition. A ventral midline incision was made to open the carcass and the following was noted; • All blood vessels observed were dark red. •
Plenty of blood and frothy fluid flowed out after cutting into the trachea. The fluid and foam like substance were observed along the trachea up to and including the larger bronchi.
•
The peritoneum was relatively clean.
•
Spleen was dark coloured with a mottled surface but shrunken in size. Two white encapsulated cysts were visible on the surface but likely unrelated to the cause of death.
•
The liver had a cooked appearance, but the gall bladder was normal in size. Pinpoint haemorrhages were observed on a single lobe of the liver tissue.
•
The Stomach was extensively extended with a huge amount of food content. The contents composed of numerous medium sized pieces of meat. All body organs of an animal could be observed including but not limited to, eyes, liver, kidney, heart and skin, but no bones.
•
Small intestines were generally congested and flaccid, on opening they had patches of ecchymotic haemorrhages.
•
Intestinal lumen filled with air and blackish liquid paste content.
•
Thoracic cavity: Lungs were dark red and showed marked and generalized congestion. Grossly edematous with foam like substance in the trachea. Heart had no blood in the right ventricle, auricles were expanded and visible but had no blood.
Cause of Death Respiratory failure due to obstructions most likely caused by the bloody fluid in the trachea. Lack of signs of disease from known infectious conditions could help explain the likelihood of retribution poisoning. Recommendations •
Laboratory testing: liver, intestines, lungs and stomach contents together with intestinal content collected and stored in the fridge at 40 C to be tested and quantified for the presence of lethal organophosphates and carbamates among other chemical toxicants available in Kenya.
•
The carcass was disposed of by burning to avoid environmental contamination. A team from Big life foundation was assigned to ensure full combustion without the risk of accidental spread.