SWT/KWS Rift Valley Mobile Veterinary Report for July 2023

SWT/KWS RIFT VALLEY MOBILE VETERINARY UNIT JULY 2023

Introduction

8 Cases in July

4 Poaching Cases

1 Giraffe Case

July Report by Dr. Titus Kaitho The Rift Valley Mobile Veterinary Unit attended to 8 cases in total in July 2023. Half of the cases attended to involved snared animals; 1 waterbuck, 1 zebra, 1 Rothchild’s giraffe and 1 buffalo were reported snared in Olerai Farm, Loldia Conservancy, Sergoit Farm, and Lentolia Conservancy respectively. The Veterinary team also carried out a pre-translocation assessment for Nubia giraffe, impala, and common zebra in Ruko Community Giraffe Sanctuary; translocated and abandoned female buffalo calf that was rescued by community members in Kiamweri Village; translocated an adult male waterbuck that was a threat to visitors and staff at Lake Naivasha Country Club; and treated a lame zebra stallion in Manera Farm.

Acknowledgement The Rift Valley Mobile Veterinary team greatly appreciates The Brady Hunter Foundation for funding the Unit through the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust (SWT). The team also acknowledges Angela Sheldrick, CEO -SWT for her unwavering support and interest in the work undertaken by the Mobile Veterinary Unit. Additionally, the team thanks the Wildlife Research & Training Institute (WRTI) for hosting the Rift Valley Mobile Veterinary Unit. All the stakeholders and scouts who reported wildlife in distress and supported veterinary interventions are also appreciated. Thank you all.

Case Details Date

Species

Area Found

Reason for Intervention

Outcome

10-Jul 23

Waterbuck

Olerai Farm, Naivasha

Snared

Adult female waterbuck with a winch wire snare around the neck.

Successfully treated

11-Jul 23

Several species

Ruko, Lake Baringo

Technical Case

Pre-translocation assessment for Nubian giraffe, impala and Common zebra

Task successful

13-Jul 23

Zebra

Loldia Conservancy

Snared

Adult male zebra with a wire snare on the right front limb

Successfully treated

18-Jul 23

Giraffe

Bomet County

Snared

Sub-adult male Rothchild’s giraffe with a wire snare on the right hind limb

Successfully treated

19-Jul 23

Buffalo

Kiamweri Village

Rescue

Abandoned female buffalo calf living with cattle after being rescued by community

Taken to Orphanage

24-Jul 23

Zebra

Manera Farm

Natural Causes

Lame adult male zebra

Successfully treated

26-Jul 23

Buffalo

Lentolia Conservancy

Snared

Adult female buffalo with a wire snare on the left hind leg

Task successful

26-Jul 23

Waterbuck

L. Naivasha Country Club

HWC

Translocation of an adult male waterbuck that was a danger to hotel staff & visitors

Task successful

SWT/KWS Rift Valley Mobile Vet Unit Treatment Locations July 2023

Case 1 – 10th July 2023 Waterbuck

Snared

Olerai/ Sirocco Farm

The Rift Valley Mobile Veterinary Unit was informed about an adult female waterbuck with a wire snare around its neck.

Immobilisation, examination and treatment The waterbuck was darted and immobilized with 6 mg Etorphine and 80 mg Azaperone. Upon physical examination, it was observed that the wire snare had wounded the animal’s neck. The snare was removed then the wound was cleaned with water, disinfected with Iodine, and covered with a fly repellent (Alamycin® Aerosal). 9,000 mg Oxytetracycline and 250 mg Flunixin Meglumine were administered intramuscularly while 4 ml Ivermectin was administered subcutaneously before anaesthesia was reversed with 100 mg Naltrexone.

The waterbuck stood a few minutes post-reversal and ran off.

Prognosis The waterbuck has a good prognosis.

Case 2 – 11th July 2023 Several Species

Technical Case

Ruko Community Giraffe Sanctuary

The Rift Valley Mobile Veterinary Unit in conjunction with research scientists from the Wildlife Research and Training Institute (WRTI) carried out a pre-translocation assessment for Nubian giraffe, impala, and common zebra in Ruko Community Giraffe Sanctuary.

Pre-translocation assessment The objectives of the pre-translocation assessment were to: observe the current situation on the ground; assess the capacity of the Ruko Community Giraffe Sanctuary to accommodate the additional wildlife species and numbers requested; and carry out interviews to assess disease risk within East Tiaty and Marigat Sub County and around Ruko Conservancy.

In summary, the team found that the recently translocated giraffes were doing well (body condition score of 4 to 5), and some births had been recorded. There were five (5) giraffe calves in the sanctuary. However, there were cases of predation of the calves by leopards. Other fauna in the sanctuary and the landscape included: warthogs (many), leopards (2), spotted hyenas (5-6), greater kudu (7), an estimated 150 common waterbuck, bushbuck, impala, and cape buffalo. Zebras were once abundant in the landscape/ecosystem, but they are currently not seen during game drives.

Wild animals have ready access to fresh water from Lake Baringo. The area has experienced an increased amount of seasonal rainfall and there is mature and abundant pasture. From the discussions with Dr. Cheriuyot - the subcounty Veterinary officer, due to the nomadic nature of the pastoralists, there have been sporadic cases of tick-borne diseases reported. However, there are no recent livestock disease outbreak(s) and the there is no disease quarantine in place in the landscape. Livestock markets and slaughter slabs are fully operational.

Conclusion and Recommendations: In conclusion, the assessment team found that the sanctuary can accommodate the increased wildlife requested. However, certain programmes were recommended to enhance livestock disease surveillance, rangeland management, invasive species management and to facilitate the translocation exercise.

Case 3 –13th July 2023 Zebra

Snared

Loldia Wildlife Conservancy

The SWT-KWS De-snaring Unit reported seeing an adult male zebra with a wire snare on its right front limb.

Immobilisation, examination and treatment The zebra stallion was darted with 5 mg Etorphine combined with 80 mg Azaperone. Once the animal was fully sedated, it was examined and found to have suffered some bruises on the snared limb. The wounds were cleaned with water, disinfected with Iodine, and sprayed with a fly repellent (Alamycin® Aerosal).

The zebra was also found to be heavily infested with ticks. Therefore, 4 ml Ivermectin and 120 g/L Cypermethrin were administered. Anaesthesia was reversed with 75 mg Naltrexone given intravenously and intramuscularly.

Prognosis The zebra has a good prognosis.

Case 4 – 18th July 2023 Giraffe

Snared

Sergoit Farm

The KWS Warden, Iten Area reported a case of a sub-adult male Rothchild’s giraffe with a wire snare on the right hind limb.

Immobilisation, examination and treatment The giraffe was darted with 9 mg Etorphine combined with 50 mg Azaperone. The animal had a swollen and inflamed left hind leg and a loose wire snare around the right hind limb. The giraffe was also heavily infested with ticks. The snare was removed then 8 ml Ivermectin and 120 g/L Cypermethrin were administered to control the tick infestation.

Anaesthesia was reversed with 200 mg Naltrexone administered intravenously and intramuscularly.

Prognosis The giraffe has a good prognosis.

Case 5 – 19th July 2023 Buffalo

Rescue

Kiamweri Village, Njambini

The KWS Company Commander based in Njabini area informed the Rift Valley Mobile Veterinary Unit about a buffalo calf (less than 1 month old) that had been abandoned by its herd and had been subsequently rescued by members of the community.

Rescue The buffalo calf was grazing and living with cattle in the village. The calf was in good body condition and hydration status and had been consuming cow milk well. The veterinary unit translocated the buffalo calf to KWS Headquarters – Nairobi Animal Orphanage for specialized care and management.

Case 6 – 24th July 2023 Zebra

Natural Causes

Manera Farm

The Rift Valley Mobile Veterinary Unit came across a lame male zebra while on routine patrol in Manera Farm.

Immobilisation, examination and treatment The zebra was darted with 5 mg Etorphine combined with 80 mg Azaperone. Upon closer examination, the zebra was found to have a swollen and inflamed carpus joint on the front limb. The zebra showed marked lameness and was tick infested. 4 ml Ivermectin, 250 mg Flunixin meglumine and 120 g/L Cypermethrin were administered. Anaesthesia was then reversed with 75 mg Naltrexone given intravenously and intramuscularly.

Prognosis The zebra has a good prognosis.

Case 7 – 26th July 2023 Buffalo

Snared

Lentolia Conservancy

Lentolia Conservancy Security staff reported seeing an adult female buffalo with a wire snare on the left hind leg.

Immobilisation, examination and treatment The buffalo was immobilized with 8 mg Etorphine combined with 50 mg Azaperone. The wire snare was loosely bound to the left hind limb. Upon clinical examination, no injuries were observed on the snared limb.

The snare was removed then anaesthesia was reversed with 72 mg Diprenorphine administered intravenously and intramuscularly.

Prognosis The buffalo has a good prognosis.

Case 8 – 26th July 2023 Waterbuck

Human – Wildlife Conflict

Lake Naivasha Country Club

An adult male waterbuck notoriously known for attacking hotel workers, especially women, at Lake Naivasha Country Club knocked down a hotel worker during the morning hours on 25/07/2023. Lake Nakuru Country Club management, through the Senior Warden - Naivasha Station, requested KWS to translocate the waterbuck since it threatened the safety of visitors and staff at the facility. The translocation of the animal was duly authorised by the Head- Veterinary Services.

Immobilisation and translocation The waterbuck was darted with 6 mg Etorphine combined with 60 mg Azaperone. Once it was fully sedated, it was loaded onto the bed of a pickup and translocated while under general anaesthesia from Lake Naivasha Country Club to Hell’s Gate National Park approx. 16 Km away. At the release site, anaesthesia was reversed with 125 mg Naltrexone given intravenously and intramuscularly to avoid re-narcotization. The translocation exercise was successful.