SWT/KWS Amboseli Mobile Veterinary Report for April 2022

SWT/KWS AMBOSELI MOBILE VETERINARY UNIT APRIL 2022

Introduction

5 Cases in April

2 Poaching Cases

1 Elephant Cases

April Report by Dr. Kariuki Edward SCA-Amboseli Mobile Veterinary Unit (SCA-AMVU) attended 5 veterinary cases during April 2022. The Amboseli and Chyulu Ecosystem remained dry and hot during the reporting period. Wild animals moved long distances in search of food and water leading to increased conflicts with the local human communities. Human-Wildlife Conflicts from elephants and lions occurred but few required veterinary attention.

Cases included, a baboon collared at Kitirua for research studies, two snares removed from zebras at Kimana sanctuary and post-mortem examination of a lion carcass at Amboseli National Park and an Elephant at KibweziKARLO farm. The Unit also visited a lame elephant (Tolstoy) in Kimana Sanctuary but could not immobilize due to foreseeable complications related its advanced age and poor possibility of revival.

Acknowledgement We thank Sheldrick Wildlife Trust (SWT) for material support and Mobile Unit funding. Staff and rangers at BLF are acknowledged for their support and company during the veterinary interventions. Anyone whom we have not mentioned but supported the Unit in areas of interest is highly acknowledged and appreciated.

Case Details Date

Species

Area Found

12-Apr-22

Baboon

Amboseli NP

Collared

The female was confirmed fitness that followed fixing of a VHF radio collar

Task Successful

13-Apr-22

Zebra

Kimana Sanctuary

Snared

A wire cutter helped in cutting and removal of the snare wire

Successfully Treated

17-Apr-22

Zebra

Kimana Sanctuary

Snared

A snare wire held on the left hind limb and attached to a wooden log

Successfully Treated

22-Apr-22

Elephant

Chyulu Hills

Postmortem

Lion

Kimana Sanctuary

Human Wildlife Conflict

25-Apr-22

Reason for Intervention

Carcass demonstrated fair body condition before death and no evidence of pre-death struggle observed on the site A deep wound below the right fore limb passing through the chest leading to traumatic injury of the lungs and heart

Outcome

Died

HWC Death

SWT/KWS Amboseli Mobile Vet Unit Treatment Locations April 2022

Case 1 – 12th April 2022 Baboon

Collaring

Amboseli National Park

The Baboon Trust has extensive research history for the last 50 years in Amboseli Ecosystem. The Trust has continuously followed a group of approximately 400 baboons in the last fifty years. This old baboon family is of significant scientific output in the study of primates. Baboon Trust researchers with the authority of KWS, projects to capture 40 baboons during the period of June and September 2022. In preparation for the upcoming exercise, a female baboon had to be collared to assist in following the target family group.

Immobilisation and Collaring A cocktail of Tiletamine and Zoalezipam (Zoletil®) helped in the capture of the baboon.

The female baboon had good body condition, a temperature of 35.8 degrees and weighed 13.3kg. The female had complete dental formulae and examined lymph nodes were normal in size. Above conditions confirmed fitness for the fixing of a VHF radio collar.

Blood, skin and hair samples collected for further analysis.

No pictures available for this case.

Case 2 – 13th April 2022 Zebra

Snared

Kimana Sanctuary

Rangers at Kimana Sanctuary reported a zebra sighted with a snare wire around the neck. The zebra moved from the neighbouring community areas due to the bothersome wire. AMVU captured the zebra for examination, snare removal and treatment.

Immobilisation, examination and treatment Darting was done from a vehicle using 70mg Azaperone and 6mg Etorphine. The zebra responded well and was completely immobilised in 10 minutes.

The zebra had good body condition with a few ticks on the body. A cable wire was hanging around the neck. A wire cutter was used to cut the snare free.

20mls of Amoxicillin was given intramuscularly to cover for bacterial infection.

Reversal and prognosis An intravenous injection of Diprenophine helped revive the zebra.

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Case 3 – 17th April 2022 Zebra

Snared

Kimana Sanctuary

AMVU received the report of a snared zebra from Rangers at Kimana Sanctuary. The zebra dragged a wooden log attached to a snare and from the hind leg. AMVU with the assistance of the Rangers immobilized, examined and treated the zebra.

Immobilisation, examination and treatment The zebra was darted with 70mg Azaperone and 5mg Etorphine which resulted in adequate immobilization and restraint The zebra had a snare wire around the left hind limb which was attached to a wooden log. A wire cutter was used to cut and remove the snare.

Reversal and prognosis The zebra was revived successfully using Diprenophine administered intravenously.

Prognosis is good.

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Case 4 – 22nd April 2022 Elephant

Post-mortem

Kibwezi, Chyulu Hills

The dead elephant at Kibwezi had no known history before it was sighted. The tusks were recovered but no other details could be established. AMVU team visited the area for post-mortem examination.

Post-mortem examination The elephant was found on lateral recumbency. The carcass demonstrated fair body condition before death and there was no evidence of pre-death struggle observed on the site. However, footprints of the accompanying elephants marked the area.

The carcass was fully autolyzed, decomposed, bloated and marked with a distended stomach and swollen limbs. Gases and liquids produced, wetted the ground around the carcass. Foamy discharge flowed from the mouth. No external injuries were observed from the body surfaces. The carcass was not opened due to the unlikely possibility of additional macro pathology with such advanced level of decomposition.

Cause of death Available information was not adequate for definitive conclusion. However, the cause is likely due to a natural cause.

Case 5 – 25th April 2022 Lion

Human-Wildlife Conflict

Amboseli National Park

The Lion Guardians submitted a lion killed at Lomoti Village to KWS Amboseli National Park for postmortem examination. The lion was speared in retaliation for the sheep attack.

Post-mortem examination The body of the carcass was emaciated and full of ectoparasites (ticks). Dental formula was incomplete with some teeth missing and the canines worn off and broken.

It had been Injured on the right hind limb and on the soft pad of the paw. There was a deep wound below the right fore limb passing through the chest leading to traumatic injury of the lungs and heart.

The carcass was disposed of by burying.

Cause of death Excessive bleeding due to spear injury of the lungs and heart.