SWT/KWS MARA MOBILE VETERINARY UNIT NOVEMBER 2023
Introduction
8 Cases in November
3 Lion Cases
4 Elephant Cases
November Report by Dr. Michael Njoroge The Mara Mobile Veterinary Unit attended to 8 Cases in November 2023. These included 3 lion cases, 4 elephant cases and 1 zebra case. The veterinary team treated 3 lions in Maasai Mara National Reserve for fight wounds, and 1 lion in Olare Orok Conservancy for a spear wound in the lumbar region. All lions were successfully treated and are expected to make a fully recovery. The team also successfully treated 2 elephants for arrow wounds and 2 elephants for spear wounds over the reporting period. Lastly, the team attended to an adult male common zebra with a snare around the neck in Mara Ripoi Conservancy. Unfortunately, the zebra had a poor prognosis given the grievous injuries inflicted by the snare. Therefore, the animal was put to rest to alleviate further pain and suffering. Acknowledgement The Mara Mobile Veterinary team greatly appreciates Elizabeth Scarlett for funding the Unit through the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust. The team also thanks Kenya Wildlife Service for providing technical support and all the conservation partners who contributed to the success of veterinary interventions through timely reporting of veterinary cases and monitoring of treated animals.
Case Details Date
Species
Area Found
Reason for Intervention
Outcome
09-Nov 23
Lion
Masai Mara NR
Natural Causes
Adult lioness with deep fight wounds on the left forelimb and at the level of the scapula
Successfully treated
10-Nov 23
Elephant
Masai Mara NR
Arrow
Adult male elephant with pus oozing wounds on the medial aspect of the left hind limb
Successfully treated
10-Nov 23
Elephant
Naibosho Conservancy
Spear
Sub-adult elephant bull with a large swelling on the pelvic region oozing bloody exudates
Successfully treated
11-Nov 23
Lion
Olare Orok Conservancy
Spear
Adult lioness with an infected gaping exposed wound on the lumbar region
Successfully treated
14-Nov 23
Elephant
Motorogi Conservancy
Spear
Adult elephant bull with a spearhead lodged in the lumbar area
Successfully treated
15-Nov 23
Elephant
Olkinyei Conservancy
Arrow
Adult elephant bull with an arrowhead lodge in the proximal part of the trunk
Successfully treated
17-Nov 23
Lion
Maasai Mara NR
Natural Causes
2 adult male lions with wounds sustained during a territorial fight
Successfully treated
23-Nov 23
Zebra
Mara Ripoi Conservancy
Snared
Adult male common zebra with a tight wire snare around the neck
Poaching Death
SWT/KWS Mara Mobile Vet Unit Treatment Locations November 2023
Case 1 – 09th November 2023 Lion
Natural Causes
Maasai Mara National Reserve
County rangers sighted an injured adult lioness and informed the Mara Mobile Veterinary Unit. Immobilisation, examination and treatment The pride was found resting under the shade, among them was an injured lioness nursing 3 cubs. The lioness was darted from the vehicle with 300mgs Ketamine and 4mgs Medetomidine. The dart landed on the pelvic muscle and startled her. However, she settled down quickly and was completely sedated in 10 minutes. She was blindfolded and moved to the shade. Deep fight wounds were observed on the left forelimb and at the level of the scapula. 15,000mg Amoxicillin was infiltrated into the wounds which were then sprayed with Tetracycline. Systemically, 15,000mgs Amoxicillin and 30mgs Dexamethasone were administered intramuscularly. 40mgs Ivermectin was also injected under the skin.. Prognosis. Anaesthesia was reversed 1 hour post immobilization with 20mgs Atipamezole. She started showing signs of palpebral reflex and ear twitching after half an hour and was in sternal recumbency 45 minutes post-revival. She walked away 1 post-revival and was left with her pride The lioness has a good prognosis.
Case 2 – 10th November 2023 Elephant
Arrow
Cottar’s Airstrip, Masai Mara NR
An adult elephant bull with 2 pus-oozing wounds on the medial aspect of the left hind limb was seen by MEP rangers while they were on patrol. The elephant bull was within a herd of about 20 elephants adjacent to a marshy area with thick bush. A helicopter was used to herd the injured animal to an open area for darting. Immobilisation, examination and treatment The bull was darted on the hind quarters with 17mgs Etorphine. Full immobilization was achieved after 10 minutes. Both ears were used as blindfolds, the elephant was also doused with water to cool him down. Communicating penetrating arrow wounds was observed in the inguinal region on the proximal hindlimb. The wounds were cleaned with water, debrided with Hydrogen peroxide, and disinfected with Iodine. Tetracycline spray and green clay were then applied as topical treatment. Antibiotic pessaries were inserted into the heavily infected deep wounds to fight infection. Systemically, 30,000mg Amoxicillin and 50mgs Dexamethasone were administered intramuscularly. Prognosis Anaesthesia was reversed with 170mgs Naltrexone administered both intravenously and intramuscularly. Recovery was smooth, and the elephant bull was soon on all fours. The elephant bull has a good prognosis.
Case 3 – 10th November 2023 Elephant
Spear
Naibosho Conservancy
While on patrol, Naboisho Conservancy rangers sighted a sub-adult elephant bull that was reluctant to move. The injured animal was in a rocky, bushy area and was pushed to open ground by a helicopter. Immobilisation, examination and treatment Upon closer observation, it was observed that the elephant bull had an injury in the pelvic region that was oozing bloody exudates. The elephant’s hindlimb was also heavily swollen and the animal was limping. After a few attempts, the elephant was successfully darted from a helicopter and immobilized with 13mgs Etorphine. The sub-adult bull assumed lateral recumbency after about 10 minutes. He was repositioned to facilitate access to the injury. The left ear was used as a blindfold, and he was also doused with water to cool him down. The wound was debrided with Hydrogen peroxide and disinfected with Iodine before Tetracycline spray was applied as a topical antibiotic. 60ml Oxytetracycline was also infiltrated into the wound to fight infection. Systemically, 35,000mgs Tetracycline and 40mgs Dexamethasone were administered. Prognosis Revival was achieved with 170 mgs Naltrexone, two-thirds was administered into the ear vein while a third was injected intramuscularly. The elephant stood energetically 5 minutes post-reversal and was reunited with its family. The young elephant bull has a good prognosis.
Case 4 – 11th November 2023 Lion
Spear
Olare Orok Conservancy
This injured lioness eluded the Veterinary Unit and was only found 4 days after she was 1st sighted. Immobilisation, examination and treatment The lioness had an infected gaping wound on the dorsal aspect of the lumbar region. There were 2 adult lionesses and a juvenile lioness with her. The injured lioness was darted from a vehicle with 300mgs Ketamine and 6mgs Medetomidine. She assumed sternal recumbency when the drugs took effect 10 minutes later. Her companions remained about 100 meters away during treatment. The longitudinal wound edges were shaven then the wound was cleaned with water, debrided with Hydrogen peroxide, disinfected with Iodine, refreshed to the point of bleeding, and sutured. 15,000 mg Amoxicillin was infiltrated into the sutured wound before it was sprayed with Tetracycline. 22,500mgs Amoxicillin, 15ml Cyanocobalamin and 30mgs Dexamethasone were administered intramuscularly. 40mgs Ivermectin was also injected subcutaneously before anaesthesia was reversed 1-hour post-immobilization with 15mgs Atipamezole intramuscularly. She showed signs of palpebral reflex and ear twitching after 30 minutes and assumed sternal recumbency 45 minutes post-revival. She walked away 1-hour post-revival and was left with the 3 members of her pride. Prognosis The lioness has a good prognosis.
Case 5 – 14th November 2023 Elephant
Spear
Olare Motogori Conservancy
An elephant bull that was reluctant to move was spotted by MEP rangers. Close observation revealed that the elephant bull had a spearhead lodged in the dorsal aspect of the lumbar area. Immobilisation, examination and treatment The elephant bull was found grazing alone, it was in a swampy area that was inaccessible by vehicle. Therefore, a drone was used to drive the bull into the nearby plains where it was successfully darted with 17mgs Etorphine. The dart landed on the thigh muscles and after 10 minutes, it assumed lateral recumbency. The left ear was used to cover the left eye and shield it from direct sunlight and dust. It was also doused with water to cool it down. The spearhead was carefully pulled out, blood immediately oozed from the wound. Pus was drained then the wound was debrided with Hydrogen peroxide and disinfected with Iodine. 30,000mgs Amoxicillin and 40mgs Dexamethasone anti-inflammatories were administered intramuscularly. Antibiotic pessaries were inserted into the wound then it was covered with a fly repellent. Prognosis Revival was achieved with 170mgs Naltrexone administered both intravenously and intramuscularly. The elephant bull stood 5 minutes post-reversal and walked towards the nearby bush. The elephant bull has a good prognosis.
Case 6 – 15th November 2023 Elephant
Arrow
OlKinyei Conservancy
While on patrol, MEP rangers sighted an elephant bull with whitish exudates oozing from the proximal part of the trunk. Upon close observation, it was discovered that the elephant had an arrowhead lodged in its trunk. Immobilisation, examination and treatment The elephant bull was found grazing alone in an open area. It was darted from the vehicle with 17 mgs Etorphine, and after 10 minutes the elephant bull was fully immobilised assuming left lateral recumbency. The right ear was used to shield the eye from direct sun light and dust, and the elephant was doused with water to cool it down. The arrowhead on the proximal part of the trunk was carefully removed then the penetrating wound was cleaned with water, disinfected with Hydrogen peroxide and Iodine, and sprayed with Oxytetracycline aerosol to repel flies. Systemically, 30,000 mgs Amoxicillin and 50 mgs Dexamethasone were administered intramuscularly. Anaesthesia was successfully reversed with 170 mgs Naltrexone administered both intravenously and intramuscularly. The elephant bull stood 5 minutes post-reversal and walked away. Prognosis The elephant bull has a good prognosis.
Case 7 – 17th November 2023 Lion
Natural Causes
Maasai Mara National Reserve
Masai Mara Security Rangers reported that a territorial fight between a lone adult male lion and 2 adult male lion brothers had occurred early morning. The fight resulted in 2 seriously injured lions. Immobilisation, examination and treatment The lone male lion was found lying down near a thicket. The brothers were also found resting under the shade about 2 km away. One of the brothers had no injury. The injured lions both had wounds on the hind quarters including multiple wounds on the left hind limb and the right hind limb. The lone adult male lion additionally had bite wounds on the pelvic region, paw, and several abrasion wounds including some just below the stifle joint. The injured lions were darted from a vehicle with 300mgs Ketamine and 4mgs Medetomidine each. The drugs took effect 5 minutes post-darting, the lions were monitored for an additional 15 minutes to ensure they were completely sedated. Since the brothers were found together, the uninjured one was driven about 50 metres away before treatment was administered to his injured siblings. The lions were blindfolded and treated under the shade. The dart was retrieved, and the dart wound infiltrated with Cloxacillin antibacterial ointment. The eyes were also covered with ointment to prevent drying, dust and injury. All wounds were disinfected with Hydrogen peroxide and Iodine. Each lion received 30mgs Dexamethasone and 30,000mgs Amoxicillin intramuscularly. 50mgs Ivermectin was also injected under the skin to act as broad-spectrum anthelmintic. Prognosis Anaesthesia was successfully reversed 1-hour post immobilization with 15 mgs Atipamezole administered intramuscularly. The lions have a good prognosis. They are expected to recover fully since the wounds were still fresh.
Case 8 – 23rd November 2023 Zebra
Snared
Mara Ripoi Conservancy
While on patrol, Mara Ripoi Conservancy rangers sighted an adult male common zebra with a wire snare around the neck and informed the Mara Mobile Veterinary Unit. Immobilisation, examination and treatment The snared zebra was found alone. It was darted from a vehicle with 6mgs Etorphine and 70mgs Azaperone. The drugs took effect 5 minutes later with the animal assuming left lateral recumbency. The animal was blindfolded and upon closer examination, it was observed that the tight wire snare had cut through the airway and jugular vein. Given the foregoing, the zebra had a grave prognosis. Therefore, it was euthanized to alleviate further pain and suffering. Prognosis The snare had inflicted severe injuries on the zebra’s neck. The animal had a poor prognosis and was put to rest to alleviate further pain and suffering. The carcass was disposed of accordingly.