SWT/KWS AMBOSELI MOBILE VETERINARY UNIT JUNE 2021
Introduction
8 Cases in June
4 Poaching Cases
4 Elephant Cases
June Report by Dr. Kariuki Edward SCA-Amboseli Mobile Veterinary Unit (SCA-AMVU) attended eight veterinary cases involving different animal species during June 2021. Four elephants were treated for spear injuries. 22 zebras, 7 wildebeest and 2 hartebeest were moved from Gicheha farm to Lake Jipe Wildlife conservancy. 17 Black rhinos had their ears notched for identification and had transmitters fitted. A lesser kudu was treated for a limb fracture while 6 baboons were sampled and 1 female collared for monitoring for a behavioural and genetics study. Acknowledgement We thank Sheldrick Wildlife Trust (SWT) for material support and Mobile Unit funding. Staff and rangers at Amboseli National Parks, Chyulu and Olgulului Group Ranch are acknowledged for their support during the veterinary interventions. Baboon project staff are acknowledged for their support during baboon captures. All people who supported the monitoring of distressed animals in areas of interest are highly appreciated.
Case Details Date
Species
Area Found
8-Jun-21
Elephant
Selengei Conservancy
Reason for Intervention
Outcome
Spear
The elephant had a spear wound to the left forelimb slightly above the toes
Successfully Treated Task Successful
10-Jun-21
Antelope
Tsavo
Relocation
31 wild animals (22 zebras, 7 wildebeest and 2 hartebeest) were moved from Gicheha farm to. to the Lake Jipe Conservancy
16-Jun-21
Rhino Black
Tsavo West NP
Technical Cases
17 Black rhinos were ear-notched and transmitters fitted
Task Successful
17-Jun-21
Elephant
Kimana Sanctuary
Spear
The female had a spear inflicted wound on the rare Right leg,
Successfully Treated
25-Jun-21
Elephant
Kitirua, Amboseli
Spear
The bull had a spear in the back which was removed and the wound treated
Successfully Treated
28-Jun-21
Antelope
Kuku Group Ranch
Natural Causes
The kudu had a fracture of the right hind leg
Prognosis Poor
28-Jun-21
Elephant
Chyulu Hills
Spear
The elephant had a spear wound to the right forelimb slightly below the knee joint
Successfully Treated
28-Jun-21
Primate
Amboseli NP
Collared
The primates were examined for parasites and 1 was collared
Task Successful
SWT/KWS Amboseli Mobile Vet Unit Treatment Locations June 2021
Case 1 – 8th June 2021 Elephant
Spear
Selengei Conservancy
A Big Life Foundation (BLF) Community Rangers at Eselenkei Group Ranch reported an injured elephant to AMVU. The team further assisted in locating the elephant for darting and treatment. Sheldrick Wildlife Trust provided a helicopter to facilitate immobilization and capture of the bullzebra foal was rescued by KWS rangers on Patrol at Sentrim Hotel area. The calf was weak and dehydrated and needed medical care.
Immobilisation, examination and treatment The elephant was darted from a helicopter with 20 mg Etorphine hydrochloride. Examination revealed the elephant had a spear wound on the left forelimb slightly above the toes. This would have been the cause of his poor mobility. The wound was opened and the pus drained by piercing with pointed forceps. Hydrogen peroxide debrided the dead tissue while Iodine solution irrigated into the wound controlled bacterial infection. 100ml Amoxicillin (Betamox®) and 25ml Dexamethasone covered for bacterial infection and the inflammatory reaction respectively. Prognosis Prognosis for a full recovery is good.
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Case 2 – 10th June 2021 Antelope
Relocation
Tsavo
A request to move middle-sized game animals was received by the AMVU from the Assistant Director of the Tsavo Conservation Area.
Immobilisation and relocation All animals were darted from a vehicle using respective doses of Etorphine hydrochloride and Azaperone. The immobilization was done by two vets as a collaborative effort between AMVU & TMVU 31 wild animals (22 zebras, 7 wildebeest and 2 hartebeest) were moved from Gicheha farm to. to the Lake Jipe Conservancy. The animals were moved into a container and moved with a lorry Only 4 were transported on any single trip to avoid stampede and fighting. Mass immobilisation was not possible due to animal fear of the approaching vehicles. The shyness for vehicles and people is due to various threats in the area including recent helicopter drives. A recommendation to use a mass capture system in future translocations was made.
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Case 3 – 16h June 2021 Black Rhino
Technical Case
Tsavo West NP
Rhino Notching at Ngulia Sanctuary and IPZ in Tsavo West National Park was established to assist in Rhino census and monitoring of individual animals. This activity was established to assist in the National Wildlife census. Immobilisation and Ear Notching The rhinos were darted from a helicopter using 3mg Etorphine hydrochloride and 60 mg Azaperone. All the animals were dosed with 20mg Butorphanol before notching. Transmitters were fixed and the animals revived with Diprenorphine and Naltrexone. 17 Black rhinos were ear-notched and fitted with transmitters.
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Case 4 – 17th June 2021 Elephant
Spear
Kimana Sanctuary
BLF Community Rangers at Kimana Sanctuary reported the injured elephant to AMVU. The team further assisted in locating the elephant for darting and treatment.
Immobilisation, examination and treatment The elephant was darted from a vehicle with 20 mg Etorphine hydrochloride. Examination revealed the female had a spear inflicted wound on the rear right leg, The wound was opened and the hanging tissue cut using a scalpel blade. Hydrogen peroxide debrided the dead tissue while Iodine solution irrigated into the wound controlled for bacterial infection. 100ml Amoxicillin (Betamox®) and 25ml Flunixin were used to cover for bacterial infection and the inflammatory reaction respectively. Prognosis Prognosis is good.
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Case 5 – 25th June 2021 Elephant
Spear
Kitirua Sanctuary
Kitenden Community Rangers at Olgulului Group Ranch reported an injured elephant that had a spear in the back to the AMVU. The team further assisted in locating the elephant for darting and treatment. Immobilisation, examination and treatment The elephant was darted from a vehicle using 20 mg Etorphine hydrochloride. The spear was removed by traction, then the was wound opened, and Iodine solution irrigated into the wound to control bacterial infection. 100ml Amoxicillin (Betamox®) and 25ml Flunixin were used to cover for bacterial infection and inflammation respectively. The bull was suspected to have been speared in neighbouring Tanzania based on the spear type and as was gathered by the use of the indigenous knowledge system. Prognosis Prognosis is good.
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Case 6 – 28th June 2021 Antelope
Natural Causes
Kuku Group Ranch
The Maasai Wilderness Conservation Trust (MWCT) rangers at Kuku Group Ranch reported the injured lesser Kudu to AMVU. The team further assisted in locating the kudu and in manual capture of the antelope. Immobilisation, Examination and Treatment The Lesser Kudu was held manually and treated. Physical examination revealed the Kudu had a fracture of the right hind leg. The wound was opened and drained by piercing with forceps. Iodine solution was irrigated into the wound to control possible bacterial infection. 5ml Amoxicillin (Betamox®) and 5ml Dexamethasone were administered to protect against bacterial infection and the inflammation respectively. Prognosis Prognosis is guarded. .
Case 7 – 28th June 2021 Elephant
Spear
Chyulu Hills
BLF Community Rangers at Chyulu reported the injured elephant to AMVU. The team further assisted in locating the elephant for darting and treatment.
Immobilisation, examination and treatment The elephant was darted from a vehicle using 20 mg Etorphine hydrochloride. Physical examination revealed the elephant had a suspected spear wound on the right forelimb slightly below the Knee joint. The pus was drained from the wound by piercing with pointed forceps. Hydrogen peroxide debrided the dead tissue while Iodine solution was irrigated into the wound to protect against bacterial infection. 100ml Amoxicillin (Betamox®) and 25ml Dexamethasone used to cover bacterial infection and the inflammatory reaction respectively. Prognosis Prognosis is good.
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Case 8 – 28th June 2021 Baboon
Collared
Amboseli National Park
Immobilisation and Collaring Baboons were darted on foot using 1ml of Telazol (100mg) equivalent to 50mg/ml Tiletamine hydrochloride and 50mg/ml Zolazepam. The combination was great for restraint and analgesia. The product worked well on both males and females across 10-15 kg in weight. Female baboons were collared for behavioural studies. The primates were examined for parasites and if present, they were collected. Morphometric parameters were measured using a predetermined format and filled in form. Any external wounds were treated with Betadine topical application. Prognosis The task was successful and all the baboons recovered well. .