SWT/KWS Amboseli Mobile Veterinary Report for December 2020

SWT/KWS AMBOSELI MOBILE VETERINARY UNIT DECEMBER 2020

Introduction

13 Cases in December

3 HWC Cases

4 Predator Cases

December Report by Dr. Kariuki Edward The Amboseli Mobile Veterinary Unit (SCA-AMVU) attended to 13 veterinary cases during December 2020. Eight giraffes and two lions had collars fixed to facilitate ecological studies. Two hyenas and an old lame lion were captured in residential areas adjacent to Tsavo West National Park and moved to Tsavo East National Park. Two elephants, two zebras, and a buffalo were treated for injuries while flamingo deaths were assessed through detailed autopsies.

Acknowledgement We thank Sheldrick Wildlife Trust (SWT) for material support and Mobile Unit funding. Staff and Rangers at Amboseli National Parks, Amboseli Elephant Research Team, Law Enforcement Academy Manyani, Manyani Prison Staff, Kitenden Conservancy, Olgulului Olorashi Group Ranch, Big Life Foundation, and Eselenkei Conservancy are acknowledged for their support and company during collaring activities and veterinary interventions. Zeid the wonderful SWT Boat Captain was of great assistance and supported the Mada Bay Buffalo treatment. All other people who supported the monitoring of distressed animals in areas of interest are highly appreciated

SWT/KWS Amboseli Mobile Vet Unit Treatment Locations December 2020

Case Details Date

Species

Area Found

Reason for Intervention

Outcome

05-Dec-20

Lion

Amboseli NP

Collared

The male is infamous for history of livestock raiding and predation

Task Successful

10-Dec-20

Elephant

Amboseli NP

Natural Causes

The calf had an abscess on the forelimb

Successfully Treated

11-Dec-20

Giraffe

Amboseli Environs

Collared

The research team at Amboseli tracked and identified the targeted giraffes for collaring

Task Successful

19-Dec-20

Lion

Ol Gulului Group Ranch

Collared

The lion had no injuries and was easily collared

Task Successful

22-Dec-20

Elephant

Umani, Chyulu Hills

Natural Causes

The elephant had a puncture wound likely resulted from another elephant

Successfully Treated

23-Dec-20

Security Dog

Kaluku, Tsavo

Technical Case

The treatment is routine for control of trypanosomiasis

Successfully Treated

23-Dec-20

Security Dog

Tsavo West NP

Technical Case

The treatment is routine for control of trypanosomiasis

Successfully Treated

24-Dec-20

Hyena

Manyani, Tsavo

HWC

The hyenas fell into a pit latrine at the residential area of the Manyani Prison

Task Successful

25-Dec-20

Lion

Manga, Tsavo

HWC

An old emaciated lion had to be removed from the Assistant Director's office

Task Successful

27-Dec-20

Buffalo

Lamu, North Coast

Snared

The buffalo had a snare wound around the fore left limb but the snare had broken off

Successfully Treated

28-Dec-20

Zebra

Lamu, North Coast

Natural Causes

Had an abdominal puncture wound and the intestines were hanged on his legs

Died

28-Dec-20

Zebra

Lamu, North Coast

Natural Causes

Had hind limb lameness but without visible injuries

Prognosis Poor

31-Dec-20

Flamingo

Lake Magadi

HWC

Flamingo’s landed on powerlines and were electrocuted.

HWC Death

Case 1 – 5th December 2020 Lion

Collaring

Amboseli National Park

The Research Team at KWS-Amboseli tracked and identified the target male. The male is infamous for frequently crossing the border to neighbouring Tanzania and has a long-standing history of livestock raiding.

Immobilisation and collaring The lion was darted from a vehicle using 280mg Ketamine hydrochloride and 6mg Medetomidine. The procedure worked well and full restraint was attained in 12 minutes post darting.

The lion had a fully grown neck with a long mane but the collar was fixed without complications.

The lion was also given 30ml Amoxicillin (BetamoxÂŽ) through the intramuscular route to cover for bacterial infection. Additionally, Oxytetracycline wound spray was applied to the dart and tissue sampling sites.

Prognosis The prognosis is good.

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Case 2 – 10th December 2020 Elephant

Natural Causes

Amboseli National Park

Amboseli Park Rangers saw and reported the injured elephant to AMVU. The rangers also assisted in locating the calf and monitored for progress after treatment

Immobilisation, examination and treatment The elephant cow was darted from a vehicle using 20 mg Etorphine hydrochloride. This facilitated physical restrain of the sick calf which took five men.

Examination revealed that the calf had an abscess on the forelimb.

The elephant was administered with 80ml Amoxicillin (Betamox) and 15ml Dexamethasone through the intramuscular route to cover for bacterial infection and inflammatory reaction.

The abscess was debrided with Hydrogen peroxide to remove the dead tissue and Iodine solution was irrigated into the wound to control bacterial infection. Additionally, Oxytetracycline wound spray was applied.

Prognosis Prognosis for full recovery is good.

Case 3 – 11th December 2020 Giraffe

Collared/Tagged

Amboseli Environs

The Research Team at KWS-Amboseli, tracked and identified the targeted giraffes. The team monitored the candidates before and after collaring.

Immobilisation and collaring The giraffes were darted from a vehicle using 12mg Etorphine HCL and 40mg Azaperone. All darts were enhanced with hyaluronidase to facilitate a quick knockdown.

The giraffes ossicones were shaven, drilled and the tags fixed. Different individuals used either 2 or one nuts to plug the collar/tags depending on the length of the ossicone.

All tagged giraffes were treated with 60ml Amoxicillin (BetamoxÂŽ) to cover for secondary bacterial infection.

Additionally, Oxytetracycline wound spray was applied to the areas of tissue sampling, dart area, and ossicones.

Prognosis All giraffes were tagged successfully and are moving on with life well after the collars.

Case 4 – 19th December 2020 Lion

Collaring

Ol Gulului Group Ranch

The Lion Guardian Team followed and identified the target male. The male is known for livestock predation and lives in and out of the Park.

Immobilisation and collaring The lion was darted from a vehicle using 280mg Ketamine hydrochloride and 6mg Medetomidine.

The lion had no injuries and was easily collared The lion was additionally given 30ml Amoxicillin (BetamoxÂŽ) through the intramuscular route to cover for bacterial infection. The lion was revived after one hour from darting using Atipamezole.

Prognosis The prognosis is good and the lion recovered well and adjusted to the collar.

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Case 5 – 22nd December 2020 Elephant

Natural Causes

Umani Springs, Chyulu Hills

SWT keepers and management saw and reported the injured elephant to AMVU. SWT keepers helped to keep the elephant in the herd and position for darting.

The Keepers additionally monitored for progress after treatment

Immobilisation and collaring The elephant was darted from foot using 10 mg Etorphine hydrochloride.

Physical examination revealed the elephant had a puncture wound in the gluteal area. The wound likely resulted from another elephant pressing with the tusks.

The wound was treated with 80ml Amoxicillin (BetamoxÂŽ) given through the intramuscular route to cover for bacterial infection. Additionally, Iodine solution and Oxytetracycline wound spray were applied to the affected area.

Prognosis The prognosis is good and the keepers will continue to monitor the elephant.

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Case 6 – 23rd December 2020 Security Dog

Technical Case

Kaluku, Tsavo

One of the SWT Tracker dogs from the Kaluku Canine Unit was due for a vaccination against Trypanosomiasis which is prevalent in the area and can be fatal.

Immobilisation and vaccination The handler was able to physically restrain the dog for examination and treatment.

The dog was normal and healthy. The treatment is routine for control of trypanosomiasis.

The dog was injected with 14mg of Samorin®.

Prognosis The dog suffered no adverse effects from the drug and is doing well. He will most likely have reduced work for the next few days.

No pictures are available for this case.

Case 7 – 23rd December 2020 Security Dog

Technical Case

Ngulia Tsavo West

One of the Tracker dogs based at Ngulia Headquarters in Tsavo West was due for a vaccination against Trypanosomiasis which is prevalent in the area and can be fatal.

Immobilisation and vaccination The handler was able to physically restrain the dog for examination and treatment.

The dog was normal and healthy. The treatment is routine for control of trypanosomiasis.

The dog was injected with 0.9ml of Triquin® Prognosis The dog suffered no adverse effects from the drug and is doing well. He will most likely have reduced work for the next few days.

No pictures are available for this case.

Case 8 – 24th December 2020 Hyena

Human-wildlife Conflict

Manyani Prison, Tsavo

The Conservation Officer of Manyani Law and Enforcement Academy reported to AMVU two hyenas that had fallen into a pit latrine.

Immobilisation and rescue The hyenas fell into a pit latrine at the residential area of the Manyani Maximum prison. The area is bushy and adjacent to the park. The hyenas were likely pursuing each other in a territorial fight while they fell in.

The hyenas were more than 12 hours inside the pit when the Vet team arrived on site.

The hyenas had fight marks due to aggression against each other. The smaller of the two hyenas had more bite wounds owing to the aggression.

The hyenas were darted from foot from the top of the pit using a combination of 150mg Ketamine hydrochloride and 4mg medetomidine.

Release The hyenas were placed in the cage while darted and transported using a pickup to Tsavo East National Park.

Case 9 – 25th December 2020 Lion

Human-wildlife Conflict

Manga Village, Tsavo

AMVU received the report of a stray lion from the Assistant Director's office at Tsavo East National Park.

Immobilisation and rescue The lion was darted from a vehicle using 300mg Ketamine hydrochloride and 6mg Medetomidine.

The male lion was old, lame, and severely emaciated. One canine was broken and most of the other teeth removed or eroded.

The status of dental formula points to old age which is likely why the lion was found in residential areas because of easy prey and to avoid younger male lions and territorial fights.

Release The lion was placed in a cage and transported using a pickup across the Luggards falls in the Tsavo East National Park.

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Case 10 – 27th December 2020 Buffalo

Snared

Mada Bay, Lamu, North Coast

SWT reported the snared buffalo to AMVU. The vet team was picked from Mokowe Jetty by an SWT boat and moved to the Island for the buffalo treatment.

Immobilisation, examination and treatment The buffalo was darted from a vehicle using a cocktail of 6 mg Etorophine hydrochloride and 100mg Azaperone.

The buffalo had a wound around the left forelimb from a snare but the snare was removed or had broken off. The wound was topically irrigated with Iodine and covered with Oxytetracycline spray. Intramuscular injections of 30ml Oxytetracycline and Dexamethasone were administered to cover for bacterial infection and inflammatory reaction.

Prognosis Prognosis for a full recovery is good.

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Case 11 – 28th December 2020 Zebra

Natural Causes

Kipini, Lamu, North Coast

AMVU received a report of an injured zebra from the Senior Warden of Lamu on the 28th December 2020 while at Mada Bay for buffalo treatment.

Immobilisation, examination and treatment The zebra was darted from a vehicle using a cocktail of 5 mg Etorophine hydrochloride and 70mg Azaperone.

The zebra presented with an abdominal puncture wound and the intestines were removed and hanging down on his legs.

Prognosis The zebra constantly rolled in an expression of excessive pain and was euthanized on welfare grounds.

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Case 12 – 28th December 2020 Zebra

Natural Causes

Kipini, Lamu, North Coast

AMVU received a report of a second injured zebra from the Senior Warden of Lamu on the 28th December 2020 after the Mada Bay buffalo treatment and first Kipini zebra.

Immobilisation, examination and treatment The zebra was darted from a vehicle using a cocktail of 5 mg Etorophine hydrochloride and 70mg Azaperone.

The dart landed in the thigh muscles and the anaesthetic took effect after 3 minutes.

The zebra presented with hind limb lameness but without visible injuries. The zebra did not show any signs of pain. The zebra was treated for possible pain and secondary infections using Oxytetracycline and Dexamethasone.

Prognosis The zebra has a poor prognosis as it is an easy target for predators.

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Case 13 – 31st December 2020 Flamingo

Human-wildlife Conflict

Lake Magadi

The Vet Department at KWS HQ received a report of flamingo deaths at Magadi from Mr Leshore. AMVU team was requested to conduct an assessment to investigate the cause of death for the flamingos.

Examination and observations A meeting was held at the Environment Office in Tata factory, Magadi. This assisted in planning the investigation and the analysis of the cause of death. Community guides explained and described their version of the incident. Additionally, 4 residential sites for the flamingos were visited. In all sites, only where the Nairobi Magadi road enters the factory were birds found dead. The site has a 60-110kV power line and visibility balls fixed to a part of the line. Birds were found dead under the line without visibility balls while 2 wings were found hanging on the line. In the actual location, about 60 birds were found dead in one week. 4 birds were examined for cause of death through an autopsy. All birds examined were females. Fractures of the wings and sternum characterized the dead birds. Transient scalding could be observed on the body.

Cause of death and Mitigation Electrocution while in flight. Kenya Power has been contacted by Tata factory, Magadi to fix visibility balls that would enable birds to recognize the danger while flying.