Meru Mobile Veterinary Unit Report September 2013

TMVU AUGUST 2013

MERU MOBILE VET UNIT MONTHLY REPORT SEPTEMBER 2013 Introduction This report describes the activities of the Meru MVU in September 2013. A 3.5 year old elephant calf was rescued in Kimunye forest on the western border of Mt. Kenya and relocated to the DSWT orphanage in Nairobi. Clinical cases attended also include an injured grevy’s zebra in Samburu National Reserve and a lioness with snare injuries on the neck. Rhinos injured through gunshot wounds continue to be a big problem in the northern part of Kenya. In September 2013, three white rhinos were killed in Meru national Park and Solio Ranch. Post mortem examinations were conducted in these cases to document the cause of death.

1|Page

TMVU AUGUST 2013 1. Elephant calf rescue in Kimunye, Mt. Kenya On the 18th September 2013, the Officer in Charge of KWS Ragati outpost reported an elephant calf that had strayed out of the Kimunye forest, Kirinyanga County, on the western part of Mt. Kenya into farms in a nearby village. The male calf, approximately 3.5 years old was reported to have separated from his family and wandered through a gate along the electric fence which surrounds the forest. He was captured and relocated to the DSWT orphanage in Nairobi and has since been named Bongo.

2|Page

TMVU AUGUST 2013 2. Injured Grevy’s zebra in Samburu National Reserve On the 20th September 2013, wildlife scouts attached to the Grevy’s Zebra Trust (GZT) at West Gate in Samburu national reserve, reported that a sub adult male Grevy’s zebra showed lameness which required veterinary attention. The animal was immobilized for examination and treatment on 21st September.

Chemical immobilization We used Etorphine Hcl 4mg and Xylazine 40mg in a 1.5 cc Dan-Inject dart with a 2.0 × 30 mm needle.

Darting was conducted by vehicle with the dart placed caudally on the left flank. Induction time (down time) was 8 minutes. On contact with the animal, opticlox ointment was applied on the dart wound and eyes to prevent desiccation of the cornea. Vital parameters such as respiration and tissue perfusion were continuously monitored to ensure that the narcotized animal was stable. After the procedure, Diprenophine 24 mg and Atipamezole 15mg were administered intravenously into the jugular vein to reverse the effects of etorphine and xylazine respectively.

Findings and prognosis • Lameness on the right forelimb; swollen carpus • Subluxation of the carpal joint • Infected wound on the skin around the fetlock joint with deep bite wound caudally. The traumatic wounds may have been caused by fight with other males; prognosis for recovery is good.

3|Page

TMVU AUGUST 2013

Treatment • Thorough wash with soap and water; dead tissue debrided and wounds irrigated with Betadine solution • Green clay was applied to the wound • 5% Flunixin meglumine 750mg deep intramuscular for pain management • Betamox LA 20 milliliter deep intramuscular

4|Page

TMVU AUGUST 2013 3.

Snared lioness in Meru National Park

On 24th September tour guides from Elsas Kopje Lodge reported a lioness with snare injuries around her neck.

Chemical immobilization The animal was immobilized with ketamine Hcl 30omg and Medetomidine Hcl 10mg in a single 3cc Daninject dart syringe. The dart was placed on the left gluteal muscle and induction time was 15 minutes. Examination revealed that snare had fallen off completely, however there were deep wounds caused by the wire and the medial aspect of the under arm.

Treatment • Wounds were thoroughly cleaned with savlon and betadine solution was applied • Betamox LA 20cc administered by deep intramuscular route • Prognosis for recovery is good.

5|Page

TMVU AUGUST 2013 4. Injured white rhino and dead calf in Meru National Park A 25 year old female white rhino and its 6 month old male calf were shot by poachers in Meru NP on the night of 19th September. The calf died instantly from gunshot injuries and a PM examination was performed with projectiles recovered in the dorsal processes of T3 vertebrae and the tarsal joint.

Chemical immobilization The female which showed severe lameness was immobilized to examine the extent of her injuries.

Darting was conducted on foot. We used a combination of Etorphine Hcl 5mg and Xylazine Hcl 60mg in a single 1.5cc DanInject dart. After the procedure the animal was revived using a combination of Naltrexone 150mg and Antisedan 8mg administered intravenously.

6|Page

TMVU AUGUST 2013 Findings and prognosis • • •

Comminuted fracture of the radius at the left forelimb with severe loss of blood Two penetrating gunshot wounds into the head dorsal to the left eye Penetrating gunshot wounds into the left thorax

Because of these severe injuries euthanasia was recommended and approval was sought. On post mortem examination projectiles were recovered in the frontal bones of the head and there was a shattered 10th rib with the bullets lodging in the ribs and the stomach.

7|Page

TMVU AUGUST 2013 5. Post mortem examination of a white rhino carcass in Solio Ranch This was an adult female white rhino shot dead on the night of 20th September 2013 and both horns were poached.

A full post mortem was performed on the 22nd September to determine the cause of death and document forensic evidence. There were four penetrating wounds into the right chest and head.

On opening the thorax, voluminous clotted blood, penetrating wound into the left lung and the heart.

8|Page

TMVU AUGUST 2013 6. Post mortem examination of an elephant carcass in Ol Pejeta Conservancy On the 28th September 2013, the security manager at Ol Pejeta Conservancy reported a recumbent female elephant 20-25 years old in poor body condition which required urgent veterinary attention.

The animal died at night before we attended to it and a full post mortem was performed the following day.

The carcass showed severe emaciation, dehydration and anemia. Lungs were adherent to the thoracic wall attributed to pneumonia.

Both tusks were retrieved and deposited at Laikipia station armory for safe keeping.

9|Page