DSWT/KWS Sky Vets Report for February to May 2018

SKY VET QUARTERLY REPORT FEBRUARY TO MAY 2018 FROM THE DAVID SHELDRICK WILDLIFE TRUST www.sheldrickwildlifetrust.org

FEBRUARY TO MAY 2018

THE DAVID SHELDRICK WILDLIFE TRUST

SKY VET REPORT FEBRUARY TO MAY 2018

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FEBRUARY TO MAY 2018

THE DAVID SHELDRICK WILDLIFE TRUST

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SKY VET QUARTERLY OVERVIEW During February to May 2018 the DSWT/KWS Sky Vet program was called to handle 14 wildlife cases several of which were supported by the DSWT helicopter or outsourced aircraft to help with elephant darting operations as well as search and monitoring operations using the DSWT’s fixed-wing aircrafts.

All the cases attended were elephant cases and the interventions made included 3 spear cases, 2 poisoned arrow cases, 1 bullet wound case, 2 snare cases, 5 human-wildlife conflict cases and 1 case relating to natural causes. Out of these cases treated there was an 86% success rate. Without rapid veterinary response, the majority of these cases would have died from their injuries.

Cases during this period saw KWS Veterinarians flown to the Masai Mara, Amboseli, Tsavo East and the Tana Delta on the north coast of Kenya.

The Sky Vet program has deployed KWS vets to the following locations during this reporting period

FEBRUARY TO MAY 2018

THE DAVID SHELDRICK WILDLIFE TRUST

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FEBRUARY TO MAY 2018

THE DAVID SHELDRICK WILDLIFE TRUST

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CASE 1: 1st February 2018

OLARRO, MASAI MARA

INJURED ELEPHANT

INTRODUCTION This big bull was reported to be in poor condition by Olarro Conservancy and KWS rangers based in Nkineji. He was reported to be alone and wasting away in a small thicket near a lugga. The Vet Unit found him in the lugga but he retreated deep into the thicket on approach. Helicopter services through Skyvets became necessary to push this bull out of the lugga and thicket for further examination and treatment.

CHEMICAL IMMOBILIZATION & TREATMENT With initial resistance, this bull was finally pushed out into the open using a helicopter and darted with 15mgs Etorphine hydrochloride through a 1.5ml Dan-inject dart from the air. Induction time was ten minutes and he went down initially on sternal recumbency before being pushed to lie on his left lateral side.

Examination revealed a severely wasted bull with poor body score. There was a penetrating wound to the right temporal side that exited on the right side with sepsis. There was another deep penetrating wound to his forehead which appeared to have been caused by a projectile. This elephant was in severe pain with grave prognosis. Euthanasia was considered but he succumbed whilst the team was still deliberating.

PROGNOSIS This elephant with big tusks was most likely targeted for poaching and sustained suspected gunshot wounds to the head leading to debilitating injuries. KWS and Olarro conservancy rangers removed the tusks for safe custody and accounting.

FEBRUARY TO MAY 2018

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CASE 2: 1st February 2018

ITHUMBA, TSAVO EAST

EX-ORPHAN TREATMENT

INTRODUCTION This young elephant, a former DSWT orphan, was attacked by a lion while foraging near Ithumba Park Headquarters with other former orphans. He was saved by one of the other older orphans and then his herd lead him back to the stockade for safety where the keepers reported the injury.

CHEMICAL IMMOBILIZATION & TREATMENT The Vet was airlifted to Ithumba by DSWT aeroplane and found the injured elephant in one of the stockades. A dart consisting of 7mgs Etorphine was prepared and loaded into a Dan inject dart rifle. The Elephant was approached and darted from foot and went down after 5 minutes. There were puncture wounds all over the body inflicted by a lion and a serious laceration on the right knee joint with damage to muscle insertions and ligaments. The wound was washed clean using normal saline mixed with antibiotics then doused with tincture of iodine. Green clay was used to cover the wound. An intravenous administration of dexamethasone Hcl was given through the ear vein while Enrofloxacin was administered intravenously.

PROGNOSIS The anaesthesia reversed by administration of Diprenorphine at 3 times the Etorphine dose. Prognosis is guarded due to severe tissue damage to the limb.

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CASE 3: 7th February 2018

ITHUMBA, TSAVO EAST

INJURED ELEPHANT

INTRODUCTION A report was received from Ithumba DSWT staff regarding an injured elephant bull with an injury to the left abdominal area.

The Tsavo Vet was airlifted by DSWT Helicopter and found the bull near the stockade under a tree.

CHEMICAL IMMOBILIZATION & TREATMENT The elephant was easily darted from the helicopter using 18mgs Etorphine in a 3 ml Dan - inject dart. After it was successfully darted, the helicopter followed the elephant from a distance until he went down on sterna recumbency after 8 minutes. The sitting position posed a threat as the elephant cannot breathe well. The helicopter landed and the team rushed in and pushed him into a lateral position but unfortunately he fell on the injured flank. A tractor was called in to assist with flipping the elephant over.

There was a deep penetrating wound to the upper abdominal area with pus oozing out. A drainage incision was made at the lowest point to drain out pus. The wound was then washed with water mixed with Hydrogen peroxide. Necrotic tissues and pus were removed then the wound doused with tincture of iodine. Green clay was used to cover the wound. Long acting antibiotics were administered IM and Dexamethasone Hcl given via IV through the ear. Cause of injury is an arrow shot.

PROGNOSIS Anesthesia was reversed using Diprenorphine at 3 times the Etorphine dose and the elephant stood up and walked away.

Prognosis is good.

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CASE 4: 16th February 2018

SALA GATE, TSAVO EAST

SNARED ELEPHANT

INTRODUCTION This elephant cow was first reported by DSWT de-snaring team who were patrolling the area and alerted the Kaluku HQ. The Vet team was collected from Komboyo airstrip and airlifted by DSWT chopper to Sala gate area of Tsavo East where we found the team monitoring the herd with the snared elephant.

INTERVENTION AND TREATMENT A dart was prepared and loaded with 16mgs of Etorphine after which the cow was darted from a chopper. She was immobilized in 6 minutes.

A tight deeply cutting wire snare around the neck was cut loose. Pus, dirt debris and necrotic tissues was removed and the wound cleaned using Hydrogen peroxide mixed with water, then doused with tincture of iodine and sprayed with Oxytetracycline spray. Wetted green clay was applied to aid in wound healing and to keep dirt and flies out of the wound.

Long acting antibiotics and Dexamethasone Hcl were administered parenterally.

PROGNOSIS Anaesthesia was reversed using Diprenorphine at 3 times the Etorphine dose. It has been given a good prognosis.

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CASE 5: 25th March 2018

MARBA, AMBOSELI

SPEARED ELEPHANT

INTRODUCTION This particular elephant was treated for the first time by Tsavo Mobile Vet Unit on 06/03/2018 for lameness due to a spear injury to the left hind limb via DSWT Sky Vet Initiative. The elephant had remained within the same area since initial treatment and a review was important to establish the extent of recovery and retreat the elephant. The Amboseli Vet Unit had reported back from leave the previous day and took charge of the exercise. The Big Life Foundation Security Manager had reported the case and the DSWT chopper was called in to assist with the treatment. The elephant was found in the company of the three other elephants, browsing within an open savannah. The chopper landed some distance away. The candidate exhibited serious lameness of the left hind limb which had an open swollen wound at the ankle. Two vehicles were on site; one for Big Life and the other for Amboseli Park.

INTERVENTION AND TREATMENT Two darts were used on the candidate. The first dart constituting of 18mgs Etorphine landed on the left mid humeral area medially as the elephant was adamant to face away from the approaching vehicle. It was startled but due to the severity of lameness it could not go far. Unfortunately, after fifteen minutes post darting there was no impending signs of sedation necessitating another darting. This time another dart of same composition was placed on the left rump laterally. This resulted in standing immobilization after another fifteen minutes. The candidate was approached from behind and two men pulled the elephant into a dog sitting position then with a strap on the left tusk it was pulled by the vehicle onto right lateral recumbence exposing the injured limb for retreatment.

The swollen wound was examined for any foreign object by inserting forceps. The wound was about fifteen centimeters deep and entered into the joint cavity. There was no pus expressed instead blood oozed out showing eminence healing signs. It was cleaned using Hydrogen Peroxide and Tincture of Iodine then covered with green wet clay to encourage tissue regeneration. Topically it was sprayed with Tetracycline wound spray liberally. Systemically it was injected with 3000mgs Clindamycin, followed by 250mgs Flunixin Meglumine and 100ml Multivitamin into the muscles.

PROGNOSIS Prognosis is guarded because of the involvement of the joint. This can be revised later after monitoring and examining the extent of lameness.

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CASE 6: 5th April 2018

TANA DELTA

SNARED ELEPHANT

INTRODUCTION The report of a snared elephant was made by the DSWT Operation Room based at Kaluku on the evening of 4/4/2018. A plan was made for the DSWT SKYVET initiative fixed wing from Kaluku to pick the Amboseli vet from the Amboseli National Park Headquarters the following day early in the morning and head to Garsen for desnaring and treatment of the snared elephant.

INTERVENTION AND TREATMENT We landed at Narasaa Air strip where we met three teams; two from KWS Mijira station and another from the Conservancy.

The vet unit was then transported to the elephant’s location, near Chala, close to the Indian Ocean shore, where we met the Operation Team from Baomo KWS Station who were monitoring the snared elephant. The animal was all alone because it could not keep up with the pace of the sound counterparts. It was alert and aware of the surroundings and becoming increasingly agitated by human presence. We approached and could clearly see it had a swollen front right limb with a pus covered wound around the fetlock resulting in severe lameness. It was estimated to have had the traumatic wound for more than a month and a half.

It assumed dog sitting position after four minutes post darting. The vet team manually pushed the elephant onto its side for treatment. A winch wire snare knot was seen emerging from the pus covering the wound. The wire was embedded 15cm deep and had to be removed cautiously from the necrotic pussy tissue. The resultant traumatic would was cleaned using Hydrogen peroxide and tincture of Iodine, removing all debris superficially to avoid bleeding. It was then covered with green wet clay to encourage tissue regeneration. Topically it was sprayed with Tetracycline wound spray. Systemically the elephant was injected with 30000mgs Tetracycline, 250mgs Flunixin Meglumine and 100ml Multivitamin into different muscles sites using different needles and syringes for each one.

PROGNOSIS The elephant was given a fair prognosis as he had enough browse and water within the area and was still strong despite the injury. The conservancy team was advised to keep monitoring the animal and inform the relevant authority if another treatment is required.

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CASE 7: 21st April 2018

OLARRO, MASAI MARA

INJURED ELEPHANT

INTRODUCTION This young bull was spotted in Olarro conservancy by their rangers with injuries on his left flank and left thigh. He was in a herd of hundreds of elephants currently staying within Olarro conservancy. He was elusive as he went up the hill soon after being spotted. A helicopter had to be used to access and assess the bull, and then used to push him down the hill to an open area.

INTERVENTION AND TREATMENT Restraint was achieved chemically by use of 15mgs Etorphine delivered through a 1.5ml dan-inject dart. He was darted from the air as he approached the plains from the hill. The drugs took effect after ten minutes with the bull assuming right lateral recumbency exposing the injuries. The more caudal injury had healed with significant fibrosis. Scanning with a metal detector was negative for any foreign metallic object. Oxytetracycline spray was applied topically.

The injury to the left flank was a big abscess with scanty purulent discharge. This was lanced open and the entire abscess evacuated. Probing revealed an arrowhead deep seated inside the abscess. After removing the arrow and completely draining the abscess, Hydrogen peroxide was applied to debride and remove any remaining necrotic tissue. Tincture of iodine was used for disinfection before green clay was packed into the wound. Additional treatments for this elephant include parenteral administration of 30000mgs Amoxicillin antibiotic and 5000mgs Flunixin meglumine anti-inflammatory.

PROGNOSIS Prognosis for recovery is good.

THE DAVID SHELDRICK WILDLIFE TRUST

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CASE 8 - 12: 30th April – 1st May 2018

OLARRO, MASAI MARA

5 INJURED ELEPHANTS

INTRODUCTION Five elephants were reported to have had arrow wounds in Olarro conservancy following human –wildlife conflict. DSWT immediately organized a charter flight to the conservancy to attend to the cases. The cases could not all be attended on the same day and therefore spilled over to the following day. Olarro conservancy management provided the vehicles for the ground team while the Mara elephant project provided a helicopter for the aerial team. A thorough search ensued managing to treat one case on the first day and four on the second day.

IMMOBILISATION OF INDIVIDUALS The elephants were all immobilized using 17 mgs Etorphine Hydrochloride in a 3cc dart toped up using water for injection.

Darting was done from a helicopter due to the terrain and large herds. Full immobilization took place after 5 to 12 minutes for various animals. The trunk was maintained patent by the help of a piece of stick which was placed across at their’ entrances. The ears were used as blindfold. Where the elephant fell on the wound, a land cruiser with the help of rangers was used to flip the elephant so as to access the wound.

BREAKDOWN OF INDIVIDUAL CASES Case 1. Examination and Treatment Sex: Male Age: 20-25 yrs old On physical examination the elephant had a penetrating wound on the left hind limb. The wound had pus and dead tissue.The wound was probed for any foreign body and there was none. About 500ml of pus gushed out of the wound. The wound was about 20 cm deep and could have been as a result of an arrow. It was thoroughly cleaned using water and Hydrogen Peroxide then lavaged using tincture of Iodine. The bull was then injected with 200 ml oxytetracycline 20% and 100 ml Flunixine Meglumine at different sites intramuscularly. Topical antibiotic ointment and grey clay was then applied on the wound to facilitate healing. The operation lasted 30 minutes.

Reversal of immobilization Diprenorphine Hydrochloride (54mgs) into the ear vein was used. It took about 5 minutes to fully recover from anaesthesia.

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Case 2 Examination and Treatment Sex: Male Age: 10-15 yrs old On close examination the bull had a penetrating wound in the spinal region. It was oozing with creamy tenacious pus. They were probed for any foreign body and none could be felt. However, by use of a metal detector, it was positive that there was an arrow head. It was too deep hence not worth trying to retrieve it whilst damaging the spinal tissue. The wound was thoroughly cleaned using clean water and Hydrogen Peroxide then rinsed with tincture of Iodine. Tetracycline wound spray was sprayed on the wound. The bull was injected with 200 ml Betamox LA and 100ml flunixine meglumine at different sites into muscles.

Reversal of immobilization Diprenorphine Hydrochloride (54mgs) into the ear vein was used. It took about 4 minutes to fully recover from anaesthesia.

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Case 3 Examination and Treatment Sex: Female Age: 25-30 yrs old On physical examination the elephant had a wound approximately 3 cm (width) and 6 cm (deep) about 1 to 2 weeks old on the right hind limb but close to the hip region. The wound was septic and had necrotic tissue. An incision was made distal to the wound where there was a pus pocket to allow access and drainage of pus from the wound. The wound had been caused by an arrow. An arrow head was retrieved after probing the wound. The dead tissue was debrided and removed. The wound was then thoroughly cleaned using water and Hydrogen Peroxide. It was then lavaged using tincture of Iodine. Topical antibiotic cream and green clay was then applied into the wound to facilitate healing and avoid infection. The elephant was then injected with 200ml Oxytetracycline L.A and 100 ml Dexamethasone at different sites intramuscularly. The entire operation lasted about 45 minutes.

Reversal of immobilization Diprenorphine Hydrochloride (54mgs) into the ear vein was used. It took about 10 minutes to fully recover from anaesthesia.

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Case 4 Examination and Treatment Sex: Female Age: 25-30 yrs old Case 4 and 5 were darted simultaneously due to the tricky terrain in the area. A resident veterinary technician was tasked to monitor the vital parameters of the second darted elephant while the first one was attended to.

On physical examination the elephant had a wound on the right hind limb and plenty of puss oozing. A healing wound adjacent to the septic one was also visible. The injury was as a result of an arrow. The arrow head was removed, necrotic tissue in the infected wound debrided and pus was also drained. The wound was thoroughly cleaned using water and Hydrogen Peroxide.

It was then lavaged using tincture of Iodine. Topical antibiotic cream and green clay was then applied into the wound to facilitate healing and prevent further infection. The elephant was then injected with 200 ml Betamox L.A and 100 ml Dexamethasone HCL at different sites intramuscularly. The entire operation lasted about 20 minutes.

Reversal of immobilization Diprenorphine Hydrochloride (54mgs) into the ear vein was used. It took about 8 minutes to fully recover from anaesthesia.

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Case 5 Examination and Treatment Sex: Male Age: 30-35 yrs old On physical examination the elephant had a swelling and wound on the hip region. The wound was septic and had necrotic tissue. An opening was done on the ventral side of the wound and pus drained. The wound is likely to have been caused by an arrow owing to the human wildlife conflict. The wound was thoroughly cleaned using clean water and Hydrogen Peroxide.

It was then lavaged using tincture of Iodine. Topical antibiotic cream and green clay was then applied into the wound to facilitate healing and avoid infection. The elephant was then injected with 100 ml Betamox L.A, 1200 mg and 100 ml Dexamethasone at different sites intramuscularly. The entire operation lasted about 30 minutes.

The male elephant was in the company of another male and a baby about 4 to 5 months old. The baby elephant remained close to the bull and the veterinary team while the treatment continued. Restraint of the baby was done physically. The mother could not be spotted anywhere close hence the Olarro conservancy rangers were tasked to keep watch on the baby to ensure reunion with the mother or immediately report if no reunion happens.

Reversal Diprenorphine Hydrochloride (54mgs) into the ear vein was used. It took about 7 minutes.

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CASE 13: 8th May 2018

OLKINYEI, MASAI MARA

INJURED ELEPHANT

INTRODUCTION This elephant was seen limping on his front right limb by KWS, Mara Elephant Project and Olkinyei Conservancy Rangers while on their patrol. They notified the veterinary unit for intervention. This bull was found up a hill with another bigger bull, both having detached themselves from a bigger herd of about 12 elephants. He showed severe limping when walking, favouring his right front leg. A big discharging wound could be seen on his right shoulder giving him problems with ambulation.

INTERVENTION AND TREATMENT This young bull could not be approached by foot or vehicle as he was in a thicket up a hill. The team requested a helicopter to push the elephant down the hill into a relatively open area. The elephant was successfully darted with 13mgs Etorphine hydrochloride through a 1.5ml dan-inject dart from the helicopter. It took seven minutes for the drugs to take full effect with this young bull assuming right lateral recumbency. For proper examination and treatment this elephant was rolled over to expose the injuries.

Examination revealed a spear wound which penetrated the pinna of his right ear accessing the right shoulder. The injury to the shoulder was deep and infected with purulent discharge. The wounds were thoroughly cleaned and debrided with the help of hydrogen peroxide. Copious amount of clean water was used for rinsing the wound before it was disinfected with tincture of iodine. Green clay was finally packed into the wound to absorb toxins and hasten healing.

Additional treatments include intramuscular administration of 22500mgs amoxicillin antibiotics and 5000mgs flunixin meglumine anti-inflammatories.

PROGNOSIS The anaesthetic was reversed by intravenous administration of 36mgs Diprenorphine hydrochloride delivered through a prominent ear vein. He woke up within four minutes made a mock charge to the team before retreating to join his companion.

His prognosis for recovery is good.

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CASE 14: 10th MAY 2018

NGOSWANI, MASAI MARA

INJURED ELEPHANT

INTRODUCTION This elephant was seen with a swollen left precruris by the Olarro Conservancy and Mara Elephant Project teams on patrol following a spate of spearings and arrow wounds to elephants recorded near Olarro in the recent past. This female was among hundreds of elephants aggregated around this area who have stayed there for some time now. They called the Veterinary unit for intervention.

Given the terrain, weather and numbers of elephants in the area, it was only feasible to search, identify and isolate the injured elephant by use of a helicopter. After some minutes scanning the herd, the injured one was positively identified as a female with a two to three-year-old calf in the midst of the herd.

INTERVENTION AND TREATMENT The injured elephant was isolated from the bigger herd and moved to a relatively open area where she was darted with 16mgs Etorphine delivered through a 3ml dan-inject dart from the helicopter. It took seven minutes for the drugs to take and she assumed left lateral recumbency. In this position, an infected spear wound to her right shoulder was discovered. It was cleaned with copious amounts of water, debrided with Hydrogen peroxide and gauze swabs before being disinfected with tincture of Iodine and packed with green clay.

She was then turned over to lie on her right side in order to handle the injury to her left side. This was a very big swelling on her left precruris with pus and necrotic tissue. This was an injury caused by a poisoned arrow which had since fallen out. The injury could have occurred two weeks prior to intervention. The swelling was opened and all the pus drained out. All necrotic tissues were removed. and the wound debrided using Hydrogen peroxide and gauze swabs. Probing was negative for foreign body and copious amount of water was used for rinsing. For disinfection, tincture of iodine was applied then the wound was packed with green clay to stop sepsis and hasten healing. Other treatments instituted include administration of 30000mgs amoxicillin antibiotic and 5000mgs flunixin meglumine anti-inflammatory.

PROGNOSIS Reversal of the anaesthetic was achieved by intravenous administration of 42mgs Diprenorphine hydrochloride delivered through a prominent ear vein. She woke up in four minutes and joined her calf who was waiting with the nearby herd. Her prognosis is good.