SWT/KWS AMBOSELI MOBILE VETERINARY UNIT OCTOBER 2021
Introduction
12 Cases in October
67% Success
4 Elephant Cases
October Report by Dr. Kariuki Edward The Amboseli and Chyulu Ecosystem continued experiencing a dry period. Much of the grass was dry and most places experienced sporadic bush fires. There were more deaths reported than normal of which most were due to starvation and lack of water. Most wild animals moved extensively in pursuit of food and water, consequently, some ending up in Human Wildlife Conflicts. The Amboseli Mobile Veterinary Unit (SCA-AMVU) attended 12 Cases during October 2021. A male giraffe trapped in a mud pan while in search of water in Shompole, Magadi was rescued. Most of the waterholes in the area are fenced to protect against wildlife, leaving only the undesirable pools. Other giraffes in the area have died or moved away. Other cases included a zebra entangled in a broken fence while in pursuit of pasture, relocation of an aggressive zebra, treatment of a lion caught in conflict and collaring of 3 elephants. Acknowledgement We thank Sheldrick Wildlife Trust (SWT) for material support and Mobile Unit funding. Staff and rangers at SORALO, Eselenkei, KWS-Nguruman station,Naisurua Conservancy, SWT De-snaring team, Amboseli Elephant Research Team and BLF are acknowledged for their support, as well as anyone else not mentioned that offered assistance.
SWT/KWS Amboseli Mobile Vet Unit Treatment Locations October 2021
Case Details Date
Species
Area Found
9-Oct-21
Elephant
Amboseli NP
Collared
A savannah-tracking collar was fitted
Task Successful
10-Oct-21
Elephant
Amboseli NP
Collared
A savannah-tracking collar was fitted
Task Successful
12-Oct-21
Elephant
Amboseli NP
Collared
Had a tight old collar and metal plate bent
Task Successful
13-Oct-21
Giraffe
Amboseli Environs
Postmortem
She had an extended abdomen but not bloated and was heavily covered with ticks
Died
13-Oct-21
Lion
Amboseli NP
HWC
The lion was found old with eroded teeth. which could explain the livestock predation
Task Successful
17-Oct-21
Giraffe
Kajiado South
Rescue
Report of an adult giraffe stuck in a mud pan
Died
18-Oct-21
Zebra
Amboseli NP
HWC
The zebra was seen with a wire wrapped around its hind limbs and the back
Successfully Treated
19-Oct-21
Elephant
Amboseli NP
Rescue
The calf but was isolated from all the herds in the area and dehydrated
Taken to Orphanage
21-Oct-21
Giraffe
Amboseli Environs
Postmortem
The carcass was heavily covered with ticks had a mange infection
Died
21-Oct-21
Zebra
Amboseli NP
HWC
A zebra needed to be relocated after it frequently terrorized guests and staff.
Task Successful
25-Oct-21
Lion
Amboseli NP
Natural Causes
The lion had a puncture wound on the lower abdominal
Successfully Treated
31-Oct-21
Giraffe
Amboseli Environs
Snared
Had a snare wire around the neck and trapped between the hooves of the fore leg
Successfully Treated
Reason for Intervention
Outcome
Case 1 – 9th October 2021 Elephant
Collaring
Amboseli National Park
Two elephants were chosen for collaring during the Tembo Naming Festival. Replacement of a tight collar on a third elephant concluded the festival. The festival is an annual fundraiser for wildlife conservation.
Immobilisation and collaring A team of researchers at Amboseli helped in choosing a suitable candidate. The elephant (Vvrok) was immobilized with 15 mg Etorphine Hydrochloride. She was docile in character and did not move after being darted. Due to the cool of the morning and her docility, immobilisation was achieved after 5 minutes. The elephant exhibited good body condition. She stabilized well with a regular and normal breathing rate and a body temperature of 35.07 degrees centigrade. A savannah-tracking collar was fitted and then the anaesthetic was reversed with 3ml of Diprenorphine hydrochloride at 08:10 am. The female was fully awake and standing after 6 minutes.
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Case 2 – 10th October 2021 Elephant
Collaring
Amboseli National Park
Two elephants were chosen for collaring during the Tembo Naming Festival. Replacement of a tight collar on a third elephant concluded the festival. The festival is an annual fundraiser for wildlife conservation.
Immobilisation and collaring The elephant was immobilised with 15mg Etorphine hydrochloride. The elephant was darted in the rump from a vehicle using a dan-ject dart at 08:56am and went down at 09:01 am. Full immobilization took 6 minutes to be attained. The elephant was in a good body condition while the respiratory rate was normal at five breaths per minute. A savannah-tracking collar was fitted and the elephant revived using 45mg of Diprenorphine hydrochloride injected intravenously at 09:14am. The elephant revived fully and woke up at 09:17am.
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Case 3 – 12th October 2021 Elephant
Collaring
Amboseli National Park
Two elephants were chosen for collaring during the Tembo Naming Festival. Replacement of a tight collar on a third elephant concluded the festival. The festival is an annual fundraiser for wildlife conservation.
Immobilisation and collaring The elephant (Garango) was darted twice from a vehicle for restraint. The 1st chemical immobilization used was 16mg Etorphine hydrochloride with the dart landing on the rump at 09:27am. Unfortunately, the male didn’t go down since only about 3-5mg of the initial drug went in. A second dart containing 7mg of Etorphine hydrochloride was delivered on the rump at 10:02am and the elephant was finally immobilised. The elephant was in a good body condition but had a tight old collar and the metal plate was bent. The collar was removed and a new savannah-tracking collar was fitted. The male was revived using 3ml of Diprenorphine hydrochloride.
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Case 4 – 13th October 2021 Giraffe
Post-mortem
Sentrim, Amboseli Environs
The Maasai community living near Sentrim camp reported a giraffe carcass. The Amboseli Mobile Vet Unit visited the area and conducted a necropsy to investigate the cause of death. Post-mortem Examination The adult female giraffe was in-calf before death. She had an extended abdomen but the carcass was not bloated. The carcass was heavily covered with ticks. The eyes were damaged, one with a puncture wound and the other with a cloudy appearance. The giraffe was presumably blind before death. For an internal examination, the abdomen was opened longitudinally and the organs exteriorized for examination of internal viscera. Presence of bloody froth and bot flies in the trachea was observed. The jugular vein was distended with blood whereas the caudal aorta had no blood. The lungs were congested. There was presence of jelly fat material in the left ventricle of the heart. There were no significant findings in the stomach and intestines. Cause of Death Cardio-pulmonary failure.
Case 5 – 13th October 2021 Lion
Human-Wildlife Conflict
Isinet, Amboseli National Park
The Senior Warden Amboseli National Park reported the lion to AMVU following a report of a livestock raiding lion. BLF rangers supported in the search, capture and movement of the lion.
Immobilisation and Relocation The lion was darted from a vehicle using a combination of 300mg Ketamine hydrochloride and 6mg Medetomidine. Physical examination revealed the lion was old with eroded teeth. Despite signs of old age, he was in good health. The worn-down teeth could explain why he had resorted to livestock predation. The lion was administered with 30ml Amoxicillin (Betamox) intramuscularly to cover for bacterial infection. The lion was the relocated back into Amboseli National Park.
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Case 6 – 17th October 2021 Giraffe
Rescue
Shompole, Kajiado South
Report of an adult giraffe stuck in a mud pan at a Shompole, Magadi was received from KWS Ngurumani Station. Rangers attached to Ngurumani station together with SORALO community monitored the giraffe for 24hrs until the vet arrived. Rescue The giraffe was manually restrained using nylon straps and a rope. A team of 16 men assisted by a Landcruiser pickup pulled the giraffe out of the dam. The local community and SORALO community rangers assisted in monitoring the giraffe after retrieval from the Dam. Examination revealed the male giraffe had been stuck in the mud for 2 days. The male giraffe presented with weakness and laboured breathing. The giraffe was physically restrained using ropes and administered with Rehydration fluids and 50% Dextrose intravenously for restoring fluids and energy. Prognosis and Management Unfortunately, the giraffe was unable to stand for the next 72 hours and was euthanized on welfare grounds.
Case 7– 18th October 2021 Zebra
Human-Wildlife Conflict
Amboseli National Park
Patrol Rangers reported that a zebra was seen with a wire around its hind limbs and the back. The report was relayed to AMVU on 18 October 2021 by the patrol team. Vet team responded the same day and traced the zebra for darting with assistance of the Park Patrol Rangers. Immobilisation, examination and treatment The zebra was darted from a vehicle with 5mg Etorphine and 70mg Azaperone. The animal was darted twice, as the first dart did not discharge but the second dart worked well and fully immobilised the zebra. Physical examination revealed the zebra had a wire trapped on both hind limbs and on the back. The wire was similar to the wire used for fencing the park and it must have been caught after breaking the fence while grazing. The body condition was good and he had no other ailments or injuries. A wire cutter was used to cut and remove the fence wire. 20mls Oxytetracycline 20% was administered intramuscularly for secondary bacterial infection and Topical Oxytetracycline aerosol spray applied. Prognosis and Management The male was revived using Diprenorphine. Prognosis is good.
Case 8 – 19th October 2021 Elephant
Rescue
Amboseli National Park
A young elephant was found alone in the park.
Immobilisation and examination The elephant was darted from a vehicle using 80mg Azaperone and restrained manually by 6 men 20 minutes post darting. Physical examination; Calf presented with good body condition but was isolated from all the herds in the area and dehydrated. Rescue A vehicle transported the calf form the Park to the airstrip. A chattered aircraft flew the calf from Amboseli to Nairobi for care and rehabilitation. .
Case 9 – 21st October 2021 Giraffe
Post-mortem
Kiturua, Amboseli Environs
KWS Patrol Rangers reported a female giraffe found dead at Kitirua. The report was received by AMVU on 21 October 2021 and a post-mortem was decided upon. Post-mortem Examination The carcass was of an adult female giraffe. The female was old as judged from her characteristic dark body spots. The carcass was heavily covered with ticks on the flank and rear end. There were patches of hair loss presumably due to a mange infection. The vulva was reddened and congested. Blood from the nostrils seemed to explain some form of trauma but the carcass was not opened and disposed of responsibly. Cause of Death Non-conclusive.
Case 10 – 25th October 2021 Zebra
Human-Wildlife Conflict
Amboseli National Park
The Manager of Ol-tukai Lodge reported a zebra that frequently terrorized guests and staff. The hotel management requested for removal. It was decided to relocate the animal to Kimana sanctuary. Immobilisation and relocation The zebra was darted from foot using a cocktail of 70mg Azaperone and 5 mg Etorphine. A lorry transported the zebra to Kimana Sanctuary. Physical examination revealed the zebra had good body condition but was used to feeding on kitchen refuse as opposed to grazing. A plastic stretcher helped in loading the zebra into a lorry. The zebra was revived using Diprenorphine intramuscular injection.
No pictures are available for this case.
Case 11 – 25th October 2021 Lion
Natural Causes
Amboseli National Park
Community Rangers at Lion Guardians reported a wounded lion to AMVU on 24th October 2021. The lion Guardians team assisted in locating the lion for darting and treatment.
Immobilisation and examination 250 mg Ketamine and 4mg Medetomidine was used for chemical immobilization and full restraint. The drug was administered from a vehicle using a projectile dart. The lion presented with good body condition but had a puncture wound on the lower abdomen. The wound was superficial and had not penetrated to the internal organs. The wound was cleaned with water to remove dirt and skin debris. Hydrogen peroxide was infused for wound debridement. The wound was cleaned with sterile swabs, disinfected with Iodine then sprayed with Oxytetracycline. The lion was also administered 15mls Amoxicillin to cover for systemic bacterial infection. Reversal and Prognosis The lion was revived using 18mg Yohimbine. Prognosis is good.
Case 12 – 31st October 2021 Giraffe
Snare
Naisurua Conservancy
Report of an adult giraffe with a snare wire on the neck and leg at a Naisurua, Chyulu was received from SWT. Naisurua Conservancy Rangers monitored the giraffe until the vet arrived.
Immobilisation, examination and treatment The giraffe was darted from a vehicle using 13mg Etorphine and 50mg Azaperone. The male giraffe had a snare wire around the neck and trapped between the hooves of the foreleg. The giraffe was physically restrained using ropes and pulled down using two rangers. The wire was removed with a wire cutter and 20 ml Amoxicillin administered through the intramuscular route to cover for bacterial infection. Prognosis Prognosis is good. .