SWT/KWS AMBOSELI MOBILE VETERINARY UNIT JULY 2020
Introduction
6 Cases in July
4 HWC Cases
3 Elephant Cases
July Report by Dr. Kariuki Edward During July 2020, SCA-Amboseli Mobile Veterinary Unit (SCA-AMVU) attended to six cases that required veterinary intervention. These included three elephants, a leopard and two lions. Necropsy helped determine the cause of death in one elephant and a lion. The elephant died of diarrhoea while the lion was speared to death in a community retaliatory attack following livestock predation. Another lion was also seen within a populated area but despite extensive searching, it was not located. A problem leopard was identified in several livestock raids and was caught in a cage trap, moved and released in Tsavo East National Park. One elephant was treated after it became entangled in fencing wire whilst trying to cross a fence, and another was treated for a spear wound. Acknowledgement We thank Sheldrick Wildlife Trust (SWT) for material support and Mobile Unit funding. KWS rangers at Amboseli National Parks, Kitenden Conservancy Rangers and Elephant Research Team are acknowledged for their support and company. All other people who supported monitoring of distressed animals in areas of interest are highly appreciated.
Case Details Date
Species
Area Found
20-Jul-20
Elephant
Imaraba, Amboseli Environs
25-Jul-20
Lion
Kamboo, Tsavo
25-Jul-20
Elephant
Amboseli National Park
26-Jul-20
Lion
Kuku Group Ranch
28-Jul-20
29-Jul-20
Leopard
Chyulu Hills
Elephant
Amboseli National Park
Reason for Intervention Postmortem Human Wildlife Conflict Human Wildlife Conflict Human Wildlife Conflict Human Wildlife Conflict Spear
Outcome
The carcass exhibited no abnormal injuries though blood oozed from the mouth
Died
A lion was amidst a human inhabited area in Makueni county
Not Located
The elephant had fence wire around the hind right leg after trying to cross a fence line
Successfully Treated
The lion had 10 deep penetrating spear wounds on the left side
HWC Death
A leopard was trapped in Oltiasika after conflicts arose from wildlife stock raids in the area The elephant had a suspected old spear injury on the right forelimb. The old wound was infected and had plentiful pus discharge
Task Successful Successfully Treated
SWT/KWS Amboseli Mobile Vet Unit Treatment Locations July 2020
. Case
1 – 20th July 2020
Elephant
Post-mortem
Imaraba, Amboseli Environs
AMVU received report of a dead elephant from Mr. Patrick, Director of Operations-Kiteden Conservancy. Kitenden Community Rangers guided the AMVU team to the site of the carcass in Kiteden Conservancy. Examination and post-mortem The elephant carcass was located in an open bushy area. It was with wild animals, herders and other community members of the Olgulului Group Ranch that also occupy the area. Physical examination; the carcass exhibited no abnormal injuries or marks on the external surface. Blood oozed from the mouth but not through any other orifice. The tusks were intact and the carcass showed no signs of any human interference. There were signs of diarrhoea in the faecal material that was found on the ground next to the carcass. There were signs of struggling observed on the ground next to the carcass that could be connected to diarrhoea and digestive tract pain. Cause of Death Non-specific diarrhoea/digestive tract problem.
Case 2 – 25th July 2020 Lion
Human-Wildlife Conflict
Kamboo, Tsavo
The Amboseli Vet Unit received a report of a lion in a human inhabited area in Makueni County. KWS Rangers guided the AMVU team to the site to search for the lion in the hopes to relocate it and mitigate potential human-wildlife conflict. Search Lion footprints were found in a thicket that was inhabited by herders and a few families. The area is sparsely populated and has a huge privately owned farm dedicated to conservation. The bush was well explored by a team comprising of the Vet Unit, KWS, the Makueni warden and Rangers guided by the local community herders and the area Chief. The team didn’t find the lion only cows, goats and herding dogs. There was a daylong ground search but the lion was not found. Conclusion The thick thicket hampered visibility during the search. The high number of livestock in the various areas visited was also an indication that the lion had left the area. However, the lion footprints were followed and they headed in the direction of the Athi River and Tsavo East National Park. It is probable that the lion could have left the area due to human disturbance.
Case 3 – 25th July 2020 Elephant
Human-Wildlife Conflict
Amboseli National Park
KWS rangers at Amboseli National Park reported an elephant that was observed with a large bunch of fencing wire around the hind limb. Immobilisation, examination and treatment A vehicle pushed the elephant and separated it from the herd of four bulls. The elephant was darted from the vehicle with 20mg Etorphine hydrochloride. The dart was placed well at the shoulders and worked effectively in 2 minutes. The dart was assumed to have been administered intravenously which led to the fast immobilisation. The elephant responded well and was fully immobilized with a good breathing rate. Examination revealed the elephant had a massive bunch of fencing wire on the hind right leg. It is likely the elephant attempted to cross a fence and became entangled in the wire. There was no significant damage but the blood vessels were prominent on the skin surface; an indication that it was just about to get worse. Wire cutters were used to cut and remove the wire. Traction assisted in pulling the wires from the leg. Prognosis Prognosis for a full recovery is good.
Case 4 – 26th July 2020 Lion
Human-Wildlife Conflict
Kuku Group Ranch
Two Maasai men speared a lion at Iltilal to death. The lion carcass was delivered to Tsavo West National Park on a vehicle for postmortem Examination and post-mortem The lion had deep penetrating wounds on the left side; one at the level of the thoracic region and another a few inches after the last rib. Injuries were also observed around the neck and pelvic region on the right side. A wound at the thoracic region of the right side went through and pierced the lungs. The injuries were spear inflicted and there were about ten in total on the lion’s body. One paw had a severe cut but not removed. It is suspected that young Maasai Moran had killed the lion as exhibited by the nature of killing and cut paws. Cause of Death Traumatic shock following excessive bleeding.
Case 5 – 28th July 2020 Leopard
Human-Wildlife Conflict
Chyulu Hills
A leopard was trapped in a cage in Oltiasika, Chyulus after there were wildlife stock raids in the area. The area has recently witnessed human wildlife intolerance so there was need for conflict mitigation.
Immobilisation, examination, treatment and release The leopard was alert, healthy and active. The leopard was darted while it was in the cage with 150mg of Ketamine and 3mg Demetomidine. The leopard’s response to the drug was reasonable and it was fully immobilized in 15 minutes. Examination revealed it had a broken canine on the lower jaw. This canine was broken before the capture as depicted by the dental remains. The cat also lost some claws due to his aggression while trying to get out of the cage. The leopard was treated with Amoxycillin to cover for bacterial infection, then ear-notched and released in Tsavo East National Park.
Case 6 – 29th July 2020 Elephant
Spear
Amboseli National Park
The Elephant Research team at Amboseli reported a wounded and lame elephant to the AMVU team. The elephant is part of the recent immigrants from Eselengei Conservancy into the park. Immobilisation, examination and treatment The elephant was darted from a vehicle with 20mg Etorphine. The dart was well placed at the gluteus and worked effectively in 7 minutes. The elephant was fully immobilized in 10 minutes. Examination revealed the elephant had a suspected spear injury to the right forelimb. The old wound was infected and was discharging pus. The wound was debrided with Hydrogen Peroxide and irrigated with Iodine to cover for topical infection. The elephant was also given 100ml of injectable Amoxicillin to cover for systemic bacterial infections. Dexmethasone was injected to cover for the inflammatory reaction. Prognosis Prognosis for a full recovery is good.