SWT/KWS MT KENYA MOBILE VETERINARY UNIT April 2019
Introduction
11 Cases in Month
3 Poaching Cases
7 Elephant Cases
April Report by Dr. Domnic Mijele The Mt Kenya Wildlife Veterinary Unit promptly responded to several wildlife cases that required urgent veterinary intervention in the whole of the Laikipia ecosystem, Mt. Kenya region and Meru area during the month of April 2019. The veterinary activities included 2 rescues of stuck elephants, treatment of four wounded elephants, including one with a spear, a bullet and a snare wound, treatment of two black rhinos, an injured greater kudu, and treatment and post-mortem examination of 2 sick cheetahs among other cases as highlighted in the report below; Acknowledgement Thanks to the support from our partner Sheldrick Wildlife Trust (SWT), KWS and other partners for supporting wildlife veterinary services in Laikipia and Mt. Kenya regions and other parts of the country. This has made it possible for the veterinary teams to respond and save many wildlife species that required urgent veterinary attention.
Case Details Date
Species
Area Found
Reason for Intervention
Outcome
07-Apr-19
Elephant
Abedares NP
Postmortem
The carcass was already 2 days old and rtly scavenged by hyenas.
Died
08-Apr-19
Elephant
Namunyak Conservancy
Spear
It had a deep spear wound on the left side of the abdomen
Prognosis Poor
09-Apr-19
Rhino Black
Ol Jogi Ranch
Natural Causes
Progressively lost body condition, and had a distended abdomen
Prognosis Poor
10-Apr-19
Elephant
Mwea NR
Snared
A tight cutting snare around the tarsal joint of the left hind leg
Successfully Treated
13-Apr-19
Greater Kudu
Loisaba, Laikipia
Natural Causes
Previously treated for a fracture and now the plaster needed to be removed
Successfully Treated
16-Apr-19
Cheetah
Mt Kenya Game Ranch
Natural Causes
Two male captive cheetahs died of heavy infestation of ticks and fleas
Died
19-Apr-19
Elephant
Lol Daiga, Laikipia
Bullet Wound
A bullet wound, it had pierced through the thigh muscles
Prognosis Poor
20-Apr-19
Elephant
Nkorare, Laikipia
Natural Causes
Sustained a dislocation of the elbow joint of left front leg
Successfully Treated
21-Apr-19
Rhino Black
Sera Conservancy
Natural Causes
Attacked and injured by another dominant male rhino
Successfully Treated
23-Apr-19
Elephant
Dol Dol, Laikipia
Rescue
Stuck in Mukurian dam near Dol dol, for about 24 hours
Task Successful
27-Apr-19
Elephant
Rumuruti, Laikipia
Rescue
Stuck in a muddy plains for about 4 hours
Task Successful
SWT/KWS Mt Kenya Mobile Vet Unit Treatment Locations April 2019
Case 1 – 7th April 2019 Elephant
Post-mortem
Aberdares National Park
An adult bull elephant was found dead within the Aberdares National park. Both the tusks were intact and were retrieved and stored at KWS Aberdares station. Immobilisation, examination and treatment The carcass was already 2 days old and partly scavenged by hyenas. All the internal organs including the liver, lungs and intestines were already decomposed. The body condition was good which is an indication that it was an abrupt death. Upon examination, there were no traumatic injuries to any of the body parts and blood smear samples tested negative for anthrax infection. Cause of Death The elephant was suspected to have been struck and killed by lightening.
Case 2 – 8th April 2019 Elephant
Spear
Namunyak Wildlife Conservancy
This was a case regarding an adult female elephant sighted in Namunyak Wildlife Conservancy. She was really weak and in a lot of pain, with blood tinged pus oozing from the upper flank of the abdomen. Immobilisation, examination and treatment The elephant was found in a thick area in a very rough terrain, despite this, the unit were able to track and dart it from foot. It was immobilized after about 6 minutes and went down on lateral recumbency exposing the injured side of the abdomen. The elephant had a deep penetrating spear wound on the left dorsal side of the abdomen, it had lots of pus and abdominal fluids oozing from the opening, the wound penetrated right into the abdomen and probably punctured the stomach; the spear probably was struck from above. The wound was explored with hand palpation and properly cleaned with lots of clean water. Lots of pus and exudates were squeezed out, then the wound was probed using sterile gauze swabs attached to long forceps to remove all the necrotic debri and ensure no foreign material was left inside. It was then debrided using Hydrogen peroxide and flushed with a tincture of iodine. Chlortetracycline pessaries were also inserted into the wound for slow release treatment. It was further treated using Opticlox ointment applied topically and green clay to plug the wound and improve chances of healing, followed by oxytetracycline spray. Other treatments were intramuscular injection of Procaine penicillin (Norocillin) to manage the heavy infection around the wound and Flunixine meglumine to control the pain and inflammation. Reversal and Prognosis After treatment, the elephant was revived from anaesthesia using 48mgs of Diprenorphine Hcl and 50mgs of Naltrexone Hcl administered intravenously through the superficial ear-vein. It was still too weak and had to be assisted to rise up. Prognosis was not good because the wound was penetrating into the abdomen and had high chances of causing peritonitis; the animal is still being monitored but making good progress.
Case 3 – 9th April 2019 Black Rhino
Natural Causes
Ol Jogi Wildlife Conservancy
This was a 2.5-year-old black rhino that was rescued as an orphan two years ago and is being kept in a boma with occasional release to the field. It has progressively lost body condition, had stunted growth and a distended abdomen since last year. However, it has good appetite and drinks water normally. Laboratory tests have confirmed that it has hepatic and cardiovascular malfunctions that lead to cardiac insufficiency and digestion disorders. It has deteriorated and recently started having diarrhoea. Immobilisation, examination and treatment The rhino was calm and restrained by hand, the body condition was poor, but the body temperature was normal showing that it had no infection. Heart-rate and pulse were normal. The abdomen was aspirated using a large needle and syringe and revealed a clear fluid that is a sign of ascites. It was severely dehydrated and had watery diarrhoea. Blood and faecal samples were collected and taken to the laboratory for biochemistry and full haemogram analysis. The results have revealed multiple organ failure. The animal was treated using antibiotics, multivitamin injection and oral Metronidazole. This medication was to be repeated after every 3 days until recovery. Dietary supplementation with lucerne and sugarcane was recommended. Prognosis Prognosis is guarded due to organ failures that may get worse with time.
Case 4– 10th April 2019 Elephant
Snared
Mwea National Reserve
This was an adult male elephant sighted with a tight cutting snare around the left hind leg. The snare was quite tight and the leg was heavily swollen and very painful; the elephant decided to stay in cool water in a small lake during the day as a way of soothing the painful wound. Immobilisation, examination and treatment The elephant was lured out of the water, after which it was darted from foot using 17mgs of Etorphine. It was immobilized after 10 minutes and went down on lateral recumbency. The snare was quite tight and cut deep around the tarsal joint. The elephant had stayed with the snare for several days and the soft tissue had started healing over and covering the wire, making it difficult to remove. The wire was a tough stainless-steel wire and was cutting through the muscles. The wire was quickly removed using a wire cutter and a lot of force was used to pull it out of the leg. The wound was then treated using 10% Hydrogen peroxide, Iodine and Opticlox ointment. Finally, the wound was sprayed with Oxytetracycline spray. Other treatments included intramuscular injection of Procaine Penicillin and Flunixine meglumine to support the wound healing process. Prognosis The anaesthesia was reversed and the elephant rose up, immediately feeling relieved, and went into the bush. Prognosis was good after removing the snare and treatment of the wound.
Case 5 – 13th April 2019 Greater Kudu
Natural Causes
Loisaba Wildlife Conservancy
This was a case of an adult female greater kudu which had a fracture of the left hind leg. The fracture had been fixed by the Mt. Kenya vet team using a plaster of paris about 2 months ago and the leg had healed quite successfully. It was time to assess the fracture and remove the plaster of paris and let the animal walk freely after full recovery from the fracture.
Immobilisation, examination and treatment The injured greater kudu was darted using 5mgs of Etorphine combined with 50mgs of Azaperone. It ran for a short distance and then became immobilized and recumbent after about 5 minutes. On palpation and physical examination, the fracture was found to have formed a callus and healed quite successfully. The plaster of paris was carefully retrieved and removed with a sharp pair of scissors and a small hack-saw. The animal was then treated with pain-killers, antibiotics, ant-inflammatory drugs and multivitamins, administered intramuscularly. Prognosis Following treatment, the kudu ran into the wild, relieved of the pain. It has since made a complete recovery.
Case 6 – 16th April 2019 Cheetah
Natural Causes
Mt Kenya Game Ranch
Two male captive cheetahs died of heavy infestation of ticks and fleas in Mt. Kenya Game ranch. General Examination Post-mortem examination revealed extensive alopecia (hair loss), poor body condition, pruritis, cutaneous lesions caused by pruritis, anaemia and liver jaundice, a sign of haemobartnellosis caused by blood sucking parasites. One of the cheetahs was found moribund and attempts to treat it failed after it succumbed to the infection soon afterwards. The enclosure also had a lot of ticks and other external parasites. Blood smear and skin scrapping samples were collected for further laboratory investigations. It was recommended that other animals should not occupy the enclosure until its properly cleared, cleaned and sprayed with acaricides to removal all the ticks, fleas and other external parasites. Cause of Death Complications due to heavy parasite load.
Case 7 – 19th April 2019 Elephant
Bullet Wound
Lol Daiga Wildlife Conservancy
An adult female elephant was sighted alone near a watering point. It was really weak and in a lot of pain; a haemorrhage on the affected thigh was clearly visible. Immobilisation, examination and treatment The injured elephant was found in a bushy area but we were able to track and dart it from foot. It was immobilized after about 5 minutes and went down on sternal recumbency; ropes were used to push it to a lateral position. The elephant had a deep wound on the left upper thigh that was suspected to be a bullet wound and had pierced through the thigh muscles and probably hit the bones but didn’t exit the muscle. The injured leg was weak and so heavily swollen that the elephant could not put much weight on it. The wound was probed using guaze and long forceps to remove all the necrotic debri and ensure no foreign material was inside. It was then cleaned with water, Hydrogen peroxide, tincture of Iodine before Opticlox ointment and green clay were applied followed by Oxytetracycline spray. The elephant was also given Procaine penicillin (Norocillin) to manage bacterial infection and Flunixine meglumine to control the pain and inflammation. Prognosis Prognosis was poor because the bullet damaged the gluteus thigh muscles and partly hit the femur bone, causing a lot of haemorrhage, inflammation and septicaemia. The elephant will continue to be monitored.
Case 8 – 20th April 2019 Elephant
Natural Causes
Nkorare Wildlife Conservancy
This was a case of an adult male elephant in Nkorare Wildlife Conservancy that had sustained a dislocation of the elbow joint of left front leg. The dislocation had since healed in awkward position resulting in a deformation of the leg. The elephant could be seen dragging the affected leg as it walked.
Immobilisation, examination and treatment The injured elephant was immobilized using 16mgs of Etorphine and was immobilized after about 8 minutes. The affected left front leg was palpated and flexed several times to ascertain the cause of the limping, it was an old injury that had healed in the wrong position, the elephant had no wound or any other external injury to the affected leg. The elephant was treated with an adequate dose of Vitamin B12 and Calcium (Calciject) followed by Dexamethasone injection and multivitamin administered intramuscularly to reduce pain and enhance the recovery process. Prognosis After treatment, the elephant was revived from anaesthesia. The elephant was assisted to rise up using a strap anchored to the tusk and pulled up by a 4-wheel drive Landcruiser. It rose up and walked away feeling much relieved. Prognosis was quite good after medication but the elephant will remain lame for some time.
Case 9 – 21st April 2019 Black Rhino
Natural Causes
Sera Wildlife Conservancy
A semi-captive orphaned young black rhino named Lolpiju is being rehabilitated for release into the wild. It was attacked by a dominant male rhino at night while browsing away from the boma. It was hit by sharp horns through the anus, causing a large deep wound on the upper wall inside the anus. The wound was fresh and oozing fresh blood. It required urgent intervention to save the animal from haemorrhage and pain. Immobilisation, examination and treatment The rhino was darted using 2mgs of Etorphine combined with 40mgs of Azaperone tartrate. To improve the plane of anaesthesia and respiration, 20 mgs of Butorphanol was administered through the ear vein after the rhino was anaesthetised. The rhino had a deep fresh wound in the anus, that could not be easily accessed for suturing. The wound was cleaned with dilute Hydrogen peroxide and Iodine, then treated with lots of Opticlox ointment squeezed through the anus, and Oxytetracycline spray. Procaine penicillin and Flunixin meglumine were administered to enhance wound healing process, reduce the inflammation and minimize the pain. The ointments and sprays were continued daily for 5 days until the wound healed successfully. Prognosis After treatment, the anaesthesia was reversed, the rhino got up after 2 minutes and was given water and milk to keep it calm. Prognosis was quite good after treatment and so far, its responding well to medication.
Case 10 – 23rd April 2019 Elephant
Natural Causes
Mukurian Dam, Dol Dol
This was a case of an adult male elephant found stuck in Mukurian dam near Dol dol. It had been stuck for about 24 hours by the time it was sighted by the Community Scouts. The vet team responded quickly to rescue it from the dam.
Rescue Effort Through a combined effort of Sheldrick Wildlife Trust and KWS veterinary teams and rangers, teams from Borana Conservancy, Ol Jogi Conservancy and Ole Nashuu Conservancy the elephant was pulled out of mud gently using strong straps anchored onto the tusks and pulled by 2 tractors. The elephant lifted up its head straightened its front legs and slowly stood up from the mud, it was too weak to walk away and the rear legs were numb. After a few minutes of rest, the elephant was able to rise up and walked away feeling relieved.
Case 11 – 27th April 2019 Elephant
Natural Causes
Rumuruti
This was a case of an adult male elephant found stuck in a muddy plain in Rumuruti area, it had been stuck for about 4 hours by the time the veterinary team arrived to rescue it.
Rescue Effort Through a combined effort by Sheldrick Wildlife Trust and KWS teams and Community Scouts the elephant was pulled up from the mud gently using strong straps anchored onto the tusks then pulled by a 4-wheel drive Landcruiser. The elephant lifted up its head, straightened its front legs, lifted itself up and stood. The vehicle then pulled the strap off the tusk and the elephant slowly walked out of the mud and soon started running away from the teams.
Report by Dr Domnic Mijele