SWT/KWS MASAI MARA MOBILE VETERINARY UNIT JULY 2019
Introduction
9 Cases in July
3 Poaching Cases
67% Success
July Report by Dr. Campaign Limo The month experienced short episodes of precipitation in the early days tapering gradually to no rains towards the end. The annual wildebeest migration is in full swing with many of the animals already spread across the entire ecosystem. Luckily, the good rains that were experienced have led to better distribution of water in several natural bonds and good fodder for grazers to utilize. The following report gives details on all cases handled during the period. Acknowledgement The Mara Mobile Veterinary Unit would like to thank all stakeholders for their help in providing information and assisting in the handling of animals in need of veterinary help. Many thanks to the Minara Foundation through SWT for their support and facilitation to the unit. Thank you too to KWS management for their technical support and advice to the unit.
Case Details Date
Species
Area Found
07-Jul-19
Elephant
Olarro Conservancy
Postmortem
Signs of straining to defaecate. The rectum was partially prolapsed.
Died
08-Jul-19
Lion
Mara North Conservancy
Postmortem
Multiple bite wounds from a territorial fight with other lions
Died
14-Jul-19
Wildebeest
Mara North Conservancy
Arrow
This male wildebeest was seen with an arrow lodged in the left side of his withers
Successfully Treated
16-Jul-19
Lion
Masai Mara NR
Natural Causes
Gored by a buffalo during a hunt with her pride.
Successfully Treated
16-Jul-19
Elephant
Mara Triangle
Postmortem
This elephant appeared to have collapsed and died with no struggle
Died
17-Jul-19
Elephant
Olare Orok Conservancy
Arrow
Arrowhead in her left rump, though her body condition appeared good
Successfully Treated
Collared
Five elephants strayed into Timboroa forest on their way to Mau from Laikipia Elephants are not known to frequent this area, so conservationists wanted to collar them
Task Successful
Nakuru County
Reason for Intervention
Outcome
20-Jul-19
Elephant
24-Jul-19
Zebra
Masai Mara NR
Snared
This zebra was seen dragging a snare on her front left limb by the reserve rangers
Successfully Treated
27-Jul-19
Lion
Masai Mara NR
Natural Causes
This big male in company of his brother was seen with several bite and septic injuries
Successfully Treated
SWT/KWS Masai Mara Mobile Vet Unit Treatment Locations July 2019
Case 1 – 7th July 2019 Elephant
Post-mortem
Olarro Conservancy
This big bull was seen dead within the Conservancy. There were no prior reported sightings of this elephant with any visible problem. General Examination This elephant appeared to have been a fair body condition before death with age of the carcass estimated to be under six hours. Rigor was still present, both tusks were intact, and it was lying on the left side. No visible injury was observed on any side of the body. The carcass appeared bloated and there were signs of struggle before death. This elephant appeared to have strained to defaecate and the rectum was partially prolapsed. The carcass was then opened with the following observations. • • • • • • •
The muscle cover was fair with noted gelatinous fat degeneration The lungs and heart appeared normal in texture and size The liver appeared grossly congested with biliary ducts filled with bile The kidneys appeared slightly congested otherwise normal in consistency The spleen appeared enlarged and hyperaemic The stomach contained scanty food material, not expected for the size of this bull Both small and large intestines were heavily bloated with gas and little or no ingesta
•
A growth was found on the dorsal wall of the rectum extending to the distal colon partially occluding the rectal lumen. No faecal matter was retrieved beyond the swelling • All other organs appeared normal Cause of Death The benign mass partially occluding the rectum was a notable finding and could have led to inability of this elephant to defaecate. This negatively impacted on its gastrointestinal and digestive functions and by extension the health of this elephant resulting into his death. The tusks were recovered and handed over to the KWS security personnel for accounting and safe custody.
Case 2 – 8th July 2019 Lion
Post-mortem
Mara North Conservancy
This big male with his brother were well known within the Mara North Conservancy as they had secured their territory. It was suspected they fought with other nomadic males while trying to defend their territory. He was spotted the morning of the 8th July weak and struggling to walk. The Conservancy Manager contacted the Mobile Veterinary Unit for intervention and the veterinary team responded immediately but arrived when the lion was already dead. General Examination This lion was found partially submerged in a shallow pond, having slipped from higher ground. Apart from multiple bite wounds, he appeared to have been in good condition before death. He was pulled out of the water for closer examination and post-mortem. He had multiple bite wounds which appeared septic. On opening the carcass, it was discovered this lion suffered severe bite wounds from territorial fights with other males. All the wounds were septic with purulent discharge. He slipped into the pond at the point of death. Vital organs including the liver and lungs were also damaged with extensive sepsis. Cause of Death This lion died of severe sepsis and organ damage caused by injuries sustained from territorial fight with other lions. The carcass was disposed of appropriately.
Case 3 – 14th July 2019 Wildebeest
Arrow
Mara North Conservancy
This male wildebeest was seen with an arrow lodged in the left side of his withers by Conservancy Rangers. They informed the KWS team on patrol who informed the Mobile Veterinary Team for action. Immobilisation, examination and treatment He was found amongst several zebras with an entire arrow in the left side off thoracic spine and the shaft still attached. He appeared to be in pain as he spent most of the time standing without grazing. He was the only wildebeest amongst the herd of zebras in the area. The wildebeest was darted with Etorphine and Azaperone and was fully anaesthetized after seven minutes and assumed sternal recumbency. The arrow was estimated to have been in place for the last two days. The arrow was gently pulled out and the resultant wound was cleaned with copious amount of water and Hydrogen peroxide. All the necrotic tissue was removed before the wound was disinfected with tincture of iodine, infused with Cloxacillin antibiotic ointment and sprayed with topical oxytetracycline spray. The wildebeest was then given Amoxicillin antibiotics and flunixin meglumine anti-inflammatory. Prognosis The anaesthetic was reversed, and he woke up within two minutes of reversal and joined the zebra herd.
Case 4 – 16th July 2019 Lion
Natural Causes
Masai Mara National Reserve
This adult female christened ‘Dada’ is a member of the famed marsh pride. She has three young cubs and had a nasty encounter with a buffalo as the pride brought it down. She was gored on her left side under the thigh by the buffalo. The Vet Unit found this lioness under a small shade lying on her back, in pain. She hardly moved the affected leg. Members of her pride, two mature males and four females with several cubs were nearby. Her cubs were close by but shifted position when the mother was about to be darted. Immobilisation, examination and treatment She was darted from a vehicle and took ten minutes to be fully anaesthetized. A blindfold and eye ointment were applied before she was moved a few meters away from the other pride members and under a big shade. After making sure she was stable she was examined which revealed a serious gore to her left thigh by a buffalo, which tore several muscles leaving a deep gaping wound. The area was shaved, deeper tissues were cleaned with clean water and necrotic tissue was trimmed. The wound was disinfected with iodine then the deep tissue was sutured with a simple interrupted pattern. All bleeders were also arrested. The subcutaneous tissues were apposed before the skin was closed with a simple interrupted pattern. Vicryl, strong absorbable suture was used for all the closures. Cloxacillin antibiotic ointment was infused after each of the layers were closed. Oxytetracycline wound spray was then applied topically. Other treatments given included Amoxicillin antibiotics and Ivermectin parasiticide. Prognosis The anaesthetic was reversed, and she woke up, then moved off to join her pride. Prognosis is good.
Case 5 – 16th July 2019 Elephant
Post-mortem
Mara Triangle
The carcass of this old female was seen by Mara Triangle rangers on their regular patrol about two days after it died. The warden of the Mara Triangle reported seeing this elephant a few days back with a herd and no injury but showing signs of old age in her movements. General Examination This elephant appeared to have collapsed and died with no struggle. She was found on her side and had been extensively scavenged on by predators. Most of the internal organs had been eaten and the stomach was punctured by hyenas. Thorough examination revealed an elephant that was very old and was on the last set of molars. The spine was prominent with several bony protuberances observed. This was a cachexic elephant with prominent callous tissue forming on her skin. Cause of Death This elephant appeared to have died from old age as depicted by the carcass picture. She was a natural monotusk and the only tusk was collected by Mara Triangle security personnel for safe custody and onward transmission to KWS.
Case 6 – 17th July 2019 Elephant
Arrow
Olare Conservancy
This young bull was among a large herd of elephants that had recently come to the Conservancy. The Conservancy Rangers on their normal patrols saw this bull with an arrowhead lodged in the left side of his rump. They called the mobile veterinary unit for intervention. Immobilisation, examination and treatment This elephant was seen with a group of other elephants including three big males at the edge of a small forest. The arrowhead was clearly visible, though his body condition appeared good. The elephant was approached with a vehicle and darted with 15mgs Etorphine hydrochloride. The elephant was
overwhelmed by the anaesthetics in eight minutes at the edge of the thicket. He assumed right lateral recumbency making it easier for the team to access the arrowhead. The arrowhead could have been there for the last three days and was gently pulled out. Luckily the barbed arrow was not poisoned. The wound was debrided with hydrogen peroxide, rinsed with clean water and disinfected with tincture of iodine. Cloxacillin ointment was infused into the wound then Oxytetracycline spray was applied topically. Another old arrow wound on the inner side of his left ear pinna was managed in the same way. The arrowhead had since fallen out leaving a septic wound. Reversal and Prognosis The anaesthetic was reversed by administration of 42mgs Diprenorphine hydrochloride intravenously through a prominent ear vein. He rose up three minutes after reversal to join the rest of the herd in the thicket.
Case 7 – 20th July 2019 Elephant
Collaring
Elgeiyo Marakwat, Nakuru
A group of 5 bull elephants strayed on their way to Mau from Laikipia and found their selves in Timboroa forest in Uasin Gishu. Elephants are not known to frequent this area which interested conservationists. To monitor their movements and identify potential new corridors for elephant migration, it was decided to fit a GPS/Satellite collar on one of the bulls to facilitate tracking. This activity was undertaken by Mara Elephant Project in collaboration with KWS. Immobilisation and Collar Fitting These bulls were traced to a thick forest in Chemasusu area in Elgeiyo Marakwet. An idea mature candidate was identified from among the group and due to the terrain, was approached on foot then darted with 16mgs Etorphine hydrochloride. It took ten minutes for the drugs to take full effect with this elephant assuming right lateral recumbency inside the forest. The other males voluntarily moved a short distance away from the immobilized bull. The team deployed the collar after confirming the elephant was stable. The helicopter, which was on standby, assisted in keeping the other elephants away from the team as they fitted the collar. Prognosis This bull woke up 3 minutes after the anaesthetic was reversed and joined the other bulls. Tracking and monitoring on their movements will give valuable information on elephant migratory routes.
Case 8 – 24th July 2019 Zebra
Snared
Masai Mara National Reserve
This zebra was seen in the late morning dragging a snare from her front left limb by the Reserve Rangers. Through their chief park warden, they called the Mobile Veterinary Unit for action.
Immobilisation, examination and treatment She was found grazing with other zebras still dragging the plain wire snare from her left foreleg. She had a foal estimated at 2 months of age. The vet prepared a dart with a combination of 5mgs Etorphine hydrochloride and 50mgs Azaperone tartarate
and approached the zebra in a vehicle. The vet successfully darted the zebra and she ran a short distance before succumbing to the anaesthetic drugs in approximately four minutes. The foal remained close by for the examination and treatment. The snare was attached loosely and was estimated to have been in place for two days. As it was loose, it had only caused a mild skin abrasion which was treated with Oxytetracycline wound spray that was applied topically. Prognosis The anaesthesia was reversed with 18mgs Diprenorphine hydrochloride and she woke up within 2 minutes to join her waiting foal. As the snare had not caused a serious wound, she will make a quick recovery.
Case 9 – 27th July 2019 Lion
Natural Causes
Masai Mara National Reserve
This large male was seen in the company of his brother with several bite and septic injuries by visiting tourists who informed the reserve administration the mobile veterinary unit for action. Immobilisation, examination and treatment He was traced to a small thicket relaxing with his equally big brother and several females. When approached, he stood to move away but was limping on his right front leg and had several bite injuries to his face. One bite on his left temporal area was slightly deep and appeared septic. He was approached with a vehicle and darted with a combination of 6mgs Medetomidine hydrochloride and 250mgs Ketamine hydrochloride. The drugs took full effect after ten minutes and he was placed in placed in a comfortable position for examination and treatment. Examination revealed several injuries including a dislocated rib caused by a fight with other lions. All the wounds were debrided with Hydrogen peroxide and rinsed with clean water then disinfected with tincture of iodine. Cloxacillin antibiotic ointment was infused into the wound to prevent further sepsis and Oxytetracycline wound spray was applied topically. Amoxicillin antibiotics and ivermectin parasiticide were also administered. Prognosis The anaesthetic was reversed one hour after immobilization and he woke up ten minutes after reversal and took cover within the small bushes. His prognosis for recovery is good.