SWT/KWS TSAVO MOBILE VETERINARY UNIT SEPTEMBER 2019
Introduction
16 Cases in September
7 Poaching Cases
9 Elephant Cases
September Report by Dr. Jeremiah Poghon The month of September has exceeded other months both in number of activities handled by the unit and other challenges experienced especially with unexplained deaths of wildlife in Tsavo West National Park including the death of a rhino. Several measures have since been put in place to reduce dependence of the only water point (Ngulia Hippo pools) to reduce contamination and disease spread. Other cases handled were treatment of elephant bulls with arrow wounds in Ithumba and Dakota area of Tsavo East respectively. Snares were removed from elephants in Rukinga Ranch and Galana Conservancies bordering Tsavo East while a Cheetah was also desnared in Ngutuni Conservancy. Autopsies were undertaken on a giraffe and elephant carcasses in Ngulia, Tsavo West and another at Voi River near the Dakota park boundary. A problem leopard was captured in Voi town and released in at Lugard Falls, whilst another young elephant bull was stuck in mud at KMC ranch. The ecosystem remains dry and dusty with forage being very poor. Acknowledgement We thank the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust (SWT) for material support and Mobile Unit funding, KWS for logistical support and security.
Case Details Date
Species
Area Found
11-Sep-19
Leopard
Voi, Tsavo
HumanWildlife Conflict
Needed to be relocated as it was preying on goats that belonged to the people of Voi town
Task Successful
11-Sep-19 Elephant
Rukinga, Taita Ranches
Snared
The snare was tight around her right ear and both tusks
Successfully Treated
12-Sep-19 Elephant
Tsavo East NP
Arrow
The Elephant had two arrow wounds and an arrow head was removed from one
Successfully Treated
14-Sep-19 Elephant
Tsavo East NP
Rescue
Stuck in mud and couldn’t free itself
Task Successful
16-Sep-19 Elephant
IPZ, Tsavo West NP
Poaching Postmortem
Post-mortem was inconclusive; no arrows found so it could have died from a spear wound.
Poaching Death
17-Sep-19
Cheetah
Tsavo East NP
Snared
Tight snare around the neck
Successfully Treated
Giraffe
IPZ, Tsavo West NP
Postmortem
Carcass was scavenged upon so cause of death was not confirmed but likely to be natural
Died
17-Sep-19 Elephant
Tsavo East NP
Rescue
A young calf was stuck in the Didea Harea Waterhole
Reunited with Mother
20-Sep-19 Elephant
Galana Conservancy
Snared
The snare was digging into the neck and penetrating the muscle
Successfully Treated
17-Sep-19
Reason for Intervention
Outcome
22-Sep-19
Rhino Black
IPZ, Tsavo West NP
Postmortem
A rhino carcass suddenly and a PM was needed to confirm Anthrax.
Died
22-Sep-19
Rhino Black
IPZ, Tsavo West NP
Rescue
The mother died of anthrax and the calf needed rescuing
Taken to Orphanage
22-Sep-19 Elephant
Tsavo West NP
Spear
The bull had an old spear wound which was irritated through rubbing, causing delayed healing
Successfully Treated
25-Sep-19
Tsavo East NP
Postmortem
An extensively scavenged carcass required a post-mortem
Died
Buffalo
27-Sep-19 Elephant
Tsavo East NP
Arrow
27-Sep-19
Tsavo East NP
Poaching Postmortem
Tsavo East NP
Arrow
Lion
27-Sep-19 Elephant
The carcass was in an advanced stage of decomposition but a small hole in the abdomen was observed The carcass was in late stage decomposition. Only skin and a partial skeleton was present A puncture wound was observed on the lower right flank caused by an arrow
Poaching Death Poaching Death Successfully Treated
SWT/KWS Tsavo Mobile Vet Unit Treatment Locations September 2019
. Case
1 – 11th September 2019
Leopard
Human-Wildlife Conflict
Voi Town, Tsavo
The leopard had been roaming within Voi town and preying on goats that belong to the local members of the community. A trap for the leopard was set up and captured, the animal was brought to the vet clinic for examination and assessment of the animal before translocation and release.
Immobilisation, examination and treatment The leopard was darted whilst in the trap with 1.5mg Medetomidine and 150mg Ketamine. The leopard was down within 5 minutes and moved onto a stretcher. A heavy tick burden was observed on the leopard’s neck and back. He had several wounds on his muzzle, nose and right eye, possibly from attempts to escape the trap. The leopard was small for his age as he looked like a young adult but evaluation of the teeth revealed well-worn canines suggesting a much older adult which would explain his need to hunt much easier prey. A sample of blood was collected and he was sprayed with fipronil to kill the ticks. Fifteen minutes after administering the reversal the Leopard was slowly moving around the cage. He is to be translocated across Galana River to the Northern region of the Tsavo East National Park and safely released.
Case 2 – 11th September 2019 Elephant
Snared
Rukinga Ranch, Taita
The elephant cow was observed with a snare around her head and tusks days before intervention. Once located, the vet team was immediately alerted and rushed to the area by road.
Immobilisation, examination and treatment The snare was digging in around her right ear and both tusks. Once removed, liberal amounts of water were poured onto the ear to remove mud and dirt. The damage to the right ear involved the muscle as well as necrosis of the tip of the ear. The wound was cleaned with hydrogen peroxide, and the dead parts of the tip of the ear were resected. Following this, the ear was cleaned with tincture of Iodine and sprayed with Oxytetracycline then finally wetted green clay was applied to the wound. The elephant also received supportive doses of long-acting antibiotic and Dexamethasone. Respiration and body temperature were continuously monitored during the treatment process. Prognosis The anaesthesia was reversed through the use of 24mgs Diprenorphine and Naltrexone. She rose in two minutes and slowly walked away. Even though the ear will have limited mobility, a good prognosis is given.
Case 3 – 12th September 2019 Elephant
Arrow
Ithumba, Tsavo East National Park
The bull was observed with a wound on his right hindlimb as well as a large swelling of the same area. The vet was airlifted to the area by a SWT aircraft so that the elephant would not be lost.
Immobilisation, examination and treatment The elephant was approached from the air by the SWT chopper and darted. The helicopter was then used to keep the elephant in an area accessible to vehicles. He went down onto his left side which allowed for full access to his right side and wounds. The elephant had two wounds; one on the right thigh and the second on the right rump. The team investigated the wounds to assess their nature and depth. The wound on the right thigh was cut open to remove the abundant pus accumulation. Diluted Hydrogen peroxide was used to help remove all the pus, then a large amount of dead tissue was removed and the arrow tip located within a section of the resected dead tissue. Once only the healthy tissue remained, the wound was cleaned with tincture of Iodine then, Oxytetracycline spray and green clay were applied to the wound. The second arrow wound to the rump was not as extensive but was treated in the same way as the first. The bull received a large dose of antibiotics and Dexamethasone. Prognosis The elephant was standing two minutes after the anaesthetic was reversed and slowly walked away. A good prognosis is given.
Case 4 – 14th September 2019 Elephant
Rescue
Tsavo East National Park
The bull was reported to be stuck within a mud-bath on the night of 13th September. The team on the ground stayed with the elephant to prevent injury by predators. The vet team rushed to the area by road.
Immobilisation, examination and treatment The elephant was found on right lateral recumbency with with a freely moving trunk and left forelimb. The right forelimb and hindlimb were positioned in the mud in such a way that the bull couldn’t get enough grip to right himself. Ropes were placed beneath the right side of the neck and attached to the TMVU vehicle. The vehicle was then used to pull the bull out and allow him to right himself. Prognosis Once standing, the bull walked away. No injuries were observed and a normal gait was present, giving the bull a good prognosis. Once standing, the bull walked away. No injuries were observed and a normal gait was present, giving the bull a good prognosis.
Case 5 – 16th September 2019 Elephant
Poaching Post-mortem
IPZ, Tsavo West National Park
A report was made regarding a dead elephant had been spotted in the Ngulia area and surrounding IPZ area of Tsavo West National Park. An autopsy was requested to be undertaken to ascertain the cause of death. The vet unit rushed to the area by road. Examination The carcass was lying on the right side with both tusks removed by KWS rangers. The area around the carcass had an abundant amount of vulture feathers indicating a high number of scavengers had been present. The carcass was in an advanced stage of putrefaction and well scavenged. The remaining tissues included skin, scanty digestive content and the skeleton. A search for arrow tips or foreign metal material did not yield any success suggesting that the elephant could have died from a spear wound. Cause of Death Due to the age of the carcass and the level of scavenging, there was lack of conclusive evidence hence no autopsy diagnosis could be made on the cause of death.
Case 6 – 17th September 2019 Cheetah
Snared
Ngutuni Conservancy, Tsavo
The cheetah was spotted in the early morning of 17th September and was said to have a snare around its neck. Due to the high likelihood the visuals on the cheetah would be lost the more time taken, the vet team immediately assembled and rushed to the area by road.
Immobilisation, examination and treatment Darting equipment was prepared with 80mgs of Ketamine and 0.8mgs of Medetomidine. Once the cheetah was down, a blindfold was applied to reduce visual stimulation. The snare had invaded the subcutaneous tissues with slight muscle involvement. The snare was cut loose and the wound disinfected with tincture of Iodine. Oxytetracycline spray was used for topical antibiotic treatment, and green clay applied for its healing and oclusive properties. Parenteral treatment of long acting antibiotics and Dexamethasone were administered. Prognosis At 55 minutes post-darting, the reversal drug of 2.5mgs Atipamezole was administered intramuscularly. The cheetah rose after 8 minutes and slowly walked away. A good prognosis was given.
Case 7 – 17th September 2019 Giraffe
Post-mortem
IPZ, Tsavo West National Park
A report was made that a dead giraffe had been spotted in the Ngulia IPZ area of Tsavo West National Park. An autopsy was requested as there was suspected anthrax infection in the area. The vet unit rushed to the area by road. Examination A general examination was undertaken and the carcass was observed to be lying on its left flank. Scavengers had consumed the tissue of the lower jaw, perineal region as well as the ventral abdomen. They had also spread viscera in the immediate surrounding of the carcass. As it was a suspected anthrax case, the carcass was not handled. A sample of blood from the jugular vein was collected and several blood smears made to allow for a large sample size of analysis. Due to the age of the carcass, the blood smears were expected to yield an abundant amount of bacterial contamination as a result of autolysis of the carcass. Cause of Death Analysis of the blood smears led to the observation of high bacterial contamination with several microorganisms that appeared similar to Bacillus microorganisms. No definitive confirmation could be adduced from the blood smear slides due to contamination.
Case 8 – 17th September 2019 Elephant
Rescue
Dida Harea, Tsavo East National Park
The vet team was alerted on the evening of 17th September that a very young calf was spotted by tourists unable to climb out of Dida Harea water hole. The vet team immediately rushed to the area by road.
Immobilisation, examination and treatment The elephant calf was found surrounded by its herd who were attempting to free it. The TMVU vehicle was used to drive the herd away, but a reluctant and distressed mother remained in the vicinity of the calf and even hit the Vet Unit landcruiser damaging one of its headlamps. Another herd of elephants approached the waterhole to drink water, and the matriarch of this new herd chased the mother of the calf away. While the mother of the calf walked away, the TMVU vehicle again chased away this new herd and then worked to free the calf from the trough. Prognosis The distressed mother rushed back and with the calf released, the two walked away to re-join their herd. A good prognosis for the calf is given.
Case 9 – 20th September 2019 Elephant
Snare/Arrow
Galana Conservancy
The elephant was observed with a snare around his neck and the Vet Team were immediately alerted. Immobilisation, examination and treatment The elephant was approached and darted from the TMVU vehicle with 16mg of Etorphine. The dart discharged into the right hindquarters and he went down after 5 minutes. The snare was digging into the ventral region of his neck and penetrating the superficial muscle layers. The snare had also begun digging into the dorsal region of the neck with only superficial involvement. Once the snare was removed, the wound was cleaned with liberal amounts of water as well as diluted Hydrogen peroxide and tincture of Iodine, then sprayed with Oxytetracycline before green clay was applied. While the snare wound was being cleaned, a swelling to the right rump was observed and suspected to be an arrow injury. Exploration of the wound led to the successful retrieval of a metallic arrow head. Once removed, the wound was cleaned in a similar manner to the snare wound. The elephant was then turned over to lie on his right side to ensure the entire wound around the neck was treated. The elephant was also given a long-acting antibiotic and Flunixine meglumine as an anti-inflammatory and source of pain relief. Prognosis One hour after darting, the anaesthesia was reversed and he rose in two minutes with a good prognosis.
Case 10&11 – 21st/22nd September 2019 Black Rhino
Post-mortem/Rescue
IPZ, Tsavo West National Park
On the 27th August 2019 the Veterinary Team was alerted of fresh wildlife deaths within Ngulia area by a Tsavo Trust pilot. The Veterinary Team visited the area and after a thorough search around the Hippo pool found several impala, zebra and water buck carcasses which were already scavenged on with only the skeletons remaining. An alert for closer monitoring and reporting of fresh carcasses within the area was given out for proper diagnosis to be made. On the evening of 21st September, a female rhino carcass was reported within the Ngulia IPZ in Tsavo West National Park. It was confirmed the rhino was a mother and as it was an evening the calf was quickly captured and taken to the Sheldrick’s Kaluku stockades. It was administered with antibiotics, dexamethasone and Azaperone to calm it down. Autopsy of the mother was undertaken on the morning of 22nd September. Examination The following observations were made on physical examination. • •
The carcass was oozing blood from the mouth, nose and anus. The carcass rate of autolysis was rapid.
•
The animal died suddenly without showing signs of disease.
Samples were taken for microscopy but due to advanced autolysis no clear diagnosis could be made and a tentative diagnosis of Anthrax was based on the post-mortem. The carcass was safely disposed of by burying.
Case 12 – 22nd September 2019 Elephant
Spear
Komboyo Tsavo West National Park
The elephant was spotted with a swelling on his left ventral abdominal area a few days prior to clinical intervention. While the vet team was in Komboyo, the bull was spotted once more and the vet team immediately prepared the treatment equipment. Immobilisation, examination and treatment The elephant was approached and darted on foot with 18mg Etorphine. Once he was darted, the elephant started running and the vet team chased the bull in the TMVU vehicle until he went down after 5 minutes. The immediate
injury noted was a large wound on the bull’s upper back. Once the top layer of pus and mud was debrided, maggots were observed in a pocket which were all removed. The presence of a moderate amount of bleeding indicated the presence of a growth which was the result of an old wound that the bull frequently irritated through rubbing, causing delayed healing. The bleeding was stopped by packing guaze into the wound as well as diluted Hydrogen peroxide which cauterized the smaller leaking vessels. Once the bleeding was under control, the wound was disinfected with tincture of Iodine, followed by the application of an Oxytetracycline spray and green clay. The swelling on the ventral abdomen was a localised oedema as a result of the chronic open wound. With the healing of the wound, the swelling is expected to dissipate. The elephant also received supportive doses of long-acting antibiotic and Flunixin meglumine as an anti-inflammatory and pain relief. Prognosis The anaesthesia was reversed 41 minutes after darting and the elephant rose in four minutes and slowly walked away. A good prognosis was given.
Case 13 – 25th September 2019 Buffalo
Post-mortem
Tsavo East National Park
A report was made that a dead buffalo had been spotted near the watering hole of the Sentrim Tsavo East Camp within Tsavo East National Park. An autopsy was requested to be undertaken to ascertain the cause of death. The vet unit rushed to the area to undertake an autopsy. Examination The carcass was lying on sternal recumbency. A large wake of vultures as well as a funeral of Marabou storks were scavenging the carcass. Staff at the nearby camp reported observing jackals and hyenas feeding on the carcass in the early morning. The eyes, abdominal organs, perineal region, skin of the torso and neck were all scavenged. The gastrointestinal tract had been removed from the abdominal cavity and punctured, spilling ruminal content. An examination of the oral cavity revealed missing central incisors. Remaining middle and lateral incisors as well as canines appeared well worn. This indicated that the buffalo was of old age, which suggested that he likely died of natural causes. Cause of Death Due to the bull’s old age, death of natural cause is suspected.
Case 14 – 27th September 2019 Elephant
Arrow
Tsavo East National Park
A report was made that a dead elephant had been spotted near the Dakota region along Voi River. An autopsy was requested to be undertaken to ascertain the cause of death. Examination The carcass was lying on its left side. The carcass was in an advanced stage of decomposition with some scavenged regions on the perineum and left leg observed. A small hole in the skin of the right lower abdomen was observed. This cut in the skin had sharp edges as well as dark staining below which indicated a wound that bled before the animal died. With this information, the vet team began the post-mortem with the suspicion that the cut in the skin was caused by an arrow. The skin of the right abdomen was removed to aid visibility of possible lesions in the tissue. In the same region as the small cut in the skin, an abnormal severity of decay of the underlying tissues was observed. Following this decay into the gastrointestinal tract of the bull, a poisoned arrow was obtained. Cause of Death The bull died as a result of the fatal injury brought about by the abundantly poisoned arrow penetrating his abdominal organs.
Case 15 – 27th September 2019 Lion
Poaching Post-mortem
Tsavo East National Park
A dead lion was observed a short distance away from an elephant carcass that had died from a poisoned arrow wound in the Dakota region along Voi River. An assessment of the carcass was made by the vet team. Examination The carcass was lying on its left side in a late stage decomposition. Only the skin and a partial skeleton was observed to be present. Due to the proximity to the elephant carcass that died due to a poisoned arrow injury, it is likely that the lion died as a result of scavenging on the elephant. The skull was collected by the vet team to prevent its illegal collection and use as a trophy. Cause of Death The lion likely died as a result of poisoning due to consuming poisoned meat from a nearby elephant carcass.
Case 16 – 27th September 2019 Elephant
Arrow
Tsavo East National Park
While the vet team was returning from carrying out a post-mortem, a herd of elephants was spotted. One of the bulls in the herd was observed to have a swelling on his right inguinal region. Immobilisation, examination and treatment The elephant was approached and darted from the TMVU vehicle with 18mg of Etorphine. The dart discharged into the left thoracic region and he immediately began running away. The vet team chased the bull in the TMVU vehicle until he went down after 7 minutes. Due to the bull having fallen in an unpreferable position next to trees, he was repositioned and rotated to allow for access to the right hind limb and abdominal region. A puncture wound was observed to the lower right flank with accompanying swelling to the right inguinal region and just above the knee joint. This suggested the cause of the swelling to be an arrow. The wound area was washed with copious amounts of water, and the swelling on the right hind limb incised and examined to locate the foreign body. An arrow was quickly located and easily removed. The wound on the hindlimb as well as the abdominal area was lavaged with dilute Hydrogen peroxide to remove purulent material as well as provide manual debridement wth the aid of a surgical swab. The wound was then disinfected with tincture of Iodine, sprayed with Oxytetracycline for topical antibiotic cover, and finally covered in green clay. The elephant also received a supportive dose of Flunixine meglumine as an anti-inflammatory and source of pain relief.
Prognosis The anaesthesia was reversed 51 minutes after darting. He rose in five minutes and slowly walked away. A good prognosis was given.