SWT/KWS Amboseli Mobile Veterinary Report for March 2021

SWT/KWS AMBOSELI MOBILE VETERINARY UNIT MARCH 2021

Introduction

8 Cases in March

4 HWC Cases

2 Elephant Cases

March Report by Dr. Kariuki Edward SCA-Amboseli Mobile Veterinary Unit (SCA-AMVU) attended eight veterinary cases during March 2021. An elephant was treated for forelimb injuries, a rhino was reported but could not be located despite extensive searching, a buffalo was moved from a residential plot at Kuku Group and post-mortems were conducted on a lion and an elephant carcass.

Acknowledgement We thank Sheldrick Wildlife Trust (SWT) for material support and Mobile Unit funding. Staff and rangers at Amboseli National Parks, Big Life Foundation and Maasai Wilderness Conservation Trust are acknowledged for their support and company during the veterinary interventions. All people who supported the monitoring of distressed animals in areas of interest are highly appreciated.

Case Details Species

Area Found

01-Mar-21

Lion

Amboseli Environs

02-Mar-21

Elephant

Amboseli Environs

19-Mar-21

Buffalo

Kuku Group Ranch

19-Mar-21

Lion

28-Mar-21

Date

Reason for Intervention Human Wildlife Conflict Human Wildlife Conflict

Outcome

Masaai Morans were in pursuit of a livestock raiding lion so it had to be relocated

Task Successful

The elephant had a wound on the left forelimb likely caused by breaking fences

Successfully Treated

Human Wildlife Conflict

A buffalo had been enclosed in a fenced vegetable garden. The plot is about 5 acres in size and could not hold the aggressive buffalo

Task Successful

Kuku Group Ranch

Human Wildlife Conflict

Had multiple spear injuries on the body and the legs

HWC Death

Rhino Black

Tsavo West NP

Natural Causes

The rhino was reported to have fight injuries

Not Located

28-Mar-21

Elephant

Tsavo West NP

Poaching Postmortem

A penetrating wound was observed on the body and the tusks were missing

Poaching Death

28-Mar-21

Security Dog

Tsavo West NP

Technical Cases

29-Mar-21

Security Dog

Kaluku HQ

Technical Cases

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

The dog was normal and healthy and the treatment is conducted routinely for the control of Trypanosomiasis

Task Successful Task Successful

SWT/KWS Amboseli Mobile Vet Unit Treatment Locations March 2021

Case 1 – 1st March 2021 Lion

Human-Wildlife Conflict

Amboseli Environs

The Senior Warden of Amboseli National Park reported the lion to AMVU following the Olgulului Community report of Masaai Morans that were in pursuit of a livestock raiding lion. They were out to kill the lion on the day but Park Management persuaded them to support the capture and movement of the troublesome lion.

Immobilisation and examination The lion was darted from a vehicle using a combination of 250mg Ketamine hydrochloride and 6mg Medetomidine.

Examination revealed the lion had a wound on the neck due to a tight satellite collar around his neck.

The lion was treated with 30ml Amoxicillin (Betamox®) and 8ml Dexamethasone for bacterial infection and the inflammatory reaction respectively. Hydrogen peroxide debrided the dead tissues on the wound while Iodine solution was irrigated into the wound to control any bacterial infection.

Prognosis and relocation Prognosis is good. The lion was successfully moved to Tsavo East National Park.

Case 2 – 2nd March 2021 Elephant

Human-Wildlife Conflict

Satao Elerai, Amboseli Environs

Big Life Foundation (BLF) Community rangers at Satao Elerai reported the injured elephant to AMVU. They 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 wound on the left forelimb.

The wound was opened and the pus drained out 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 were used against bacterial infection and the inflammatory reaction respectively. Additionally, Oxytetracycline wound spray was applied to the affected wound area and on the body to control bacterial infection. The same is used as a label to identify the elephant for further monitoring.

Prognosis Good.

.

Case 3 – 19th March 2021 Buffalo

Human-Wildlife Conflict

Kuku Group Ranch

MWCT reported a male buffalo that had been enclosed in a fenced vegetable garden. The plot is about 5 acres in size and could not hold the aggressive buffalo.

Rescue Operation A buffalo located in a fenced five-acre plot was targeted for capture and removal due to a threat posed to human life in the area. While pursuing the buffalo for darting, the bull pushed out of the thicket and hit the AMVU vehicle on the rear side. The buffalo also responded by forcing his way onto the perimeter electric fence and moved out to the adjacent bush headed for Tsavo West National Park.

Unfortunately, there were no pictures for this case.

Case 4 – 19th March 2021 Lion

Human-Wildlife Conflict

Kuku Group Ranch

The AMVU received a report of a sick lion at Olorika, Kuku Group Ranch from warden Loitoktok. The dead lion was delivered to Amboseli by the Loitoktok PAC team.

General Observation The lion was dehydrated and anaemic as demonstrated by pale mucous membranes.

It had multiple spear injuries on the body and the legs were decomposed and pus oozed out of the muscles.

Maggots were also observed on the affected muscles.

Cause of death and mitigation Endotoxemia due to infected wound on the hind limbs resilience.

Conflict negotiations with the community are needed. The Olorika and Oltiasika Communities seem to be dissatisfied with the wildlife present in the area.

Case 5 – 28th March 2021 Black Rhino

Natural Causes

Tsavo West National Park

KWS rangers at Ngulia reported an injured Black rhino (Kiroken) following a territorial fight that resulted in injuries that were captured by surveillance cameras.

Treatment Operation The rhino could not be traced physically on the day the AMVU team visited the Sanctuary.

However, 22 photos captured by surveillance cameras between 19th, 22nd and 24th March 2021 were examined. The rhino demonstrated good body condition and no other complication due to the suspected fight was visible. The ground team at Ngulia Sanctuary was mandated to continue monitoring for further condition assessment.

Unfortunately, there were no pictures for this case.

Case 6 – 28th March 2021 Elephant

Poaching Post-mortem

Tsavo West National Park

The KWS management at Tsavo West National Park reported a dead elephant to AMVU on 28/03/2021. KWS rangers at Ziwani assisted the AMVU in accessing the carcass and site for the necropsy. The elephant had no tusks and acacia bushes lay around the carcass.

General Observation The carcass was found lying in the right lateral position. The carcass was deflated and reduced to the volume set by the structural bones. A penetrating wound was observed on the body. However, the wound was not elaborate enough to indicate the cause.

Vulture scavenging activity was observed on the carcass and no internal organs were found inside the carrion.

The autolytic process and bacterial activity of the internal soft tissues of the carcass were completed. The carcass was dried up, all entomological processes completed, and fluids on the ground were dried up.

Cause of death Non-conclusive. However, the absence of the tusks as well as the fact the body was concealing by bushes points to human interference and a poaching related cause.

Case 7 & 8 – 28th and 29th March 2021 Security Dog

Technical Case

Tsavo West National Park & Kaluku HQ

The procedure is a prophylactic treatment against Rabies, canine distemper, hepatitis, leptospira and parvo enteritis.

Dog One Vaccination The dog is a security tracker dog at the Ngulia Dog Kennels.

The dog was injected with 0.8ml of Triquin® for treatment on Trypansomiasis.

Dog Two Vaccination The dog, called Jay, is a new addition at the Kaluku Dog Kennels as part of the Canine Unit. He was normal and healthy. The dog was injected with 1ml of DHLP and anti-rabies.

Unfortunately, there were no pictures for these cases.