SWT/KWS Amboseli Mobile Veterinary Report for September 2021

SWT/KWS AMBOSELI MOBILE VETERINARY UNIT SEPTEMBER 2021

Introduction

14 Cases in September

4 Poaching Cases

4 Elephant Cases

September Report by Dr. Kariuki Edward The Amboseli and Chyulu Ecosystem was marked by dry weather and much of the vegetation was dry. Consequently, wild animals were highly mobile in pursuit of food and water, leading to increased interaction with humans resulting in conflict. During September, the Amboseli Veterinary Unit attended 14 veterinary cases involving a diverse number of animal species. Ostrich, giraffe, buffalo, elephant and baboon suffered human induced injuries. The ostrich and buffalo had snares and were targets of bushmeat. The baboon and elephant had injuries resulting from human aggression and presumably, from human retaliatory attacks after conflicts or due to annoyance.

Acknowledgement We thank Sheldrick Wildlife Trust (SWT) for material support and Mobile Unit funding. Staff and rangers at KWS airwing, KWS-Loitottok station, Chyulu. Shimba hills and BLF are acknowledged for their support and company during the veterinary interventions. MEP is acknowledged for collaring support at Shimba hills. All people who supported the monitoring of distressed animals in areas of interest are highly appreciated.

SWT/KWS Amboseli Mobile Vet Unit Treatment Locations September 2021

Case Details Date

Species

Area Found

4-Sep-21

Ostrich

Kajiado

Snared

There was a snare around the neck which was causing swelling

Successfully Treated

10-Sep-21

Giraffe

Eselenkei

Research/ Survey

A habitat assessment after 2 giraffes were found trapped, which revealed 4 carcasses

Task Successful

13-Sep-21

Other

Kaluku

Technical Cases

The treatment is routine for the control of Trypanosomiasis.

Task Successful

14-Sep-21

Giraffe

Eselenkei

Relocation

A giraffe had entered and become stuck in a fenced plot and needed to be freed.

Task Successful

14-Sep-21

Elephant

Amboseli Environs

Natural Causes

No external injuries or deformities were observed

Died

16-Sep-21

Elephant

Amboseli NP

Spear

The elephant had a wound and an embedded spearhead

Successfully Treated

17-Sep-21

Giraffe

Chyulu Hills

Arrow

An arrowhead was removed by hand and wound treated

Successfully Treated

20-Sep-21

Buffalo

Amboseli NP

Natural Causes

The bull was recumbent and severely emaciated but without any physical injury

Died

24-Sep-21

Giraffe

Amboseli Environs

Natural Causes

The giraffe was recumbent and had a broken neck

Died

25-Sep-21

Buffalo

Tsavo East NP

Snared

The buffalo was strongly held on a tree by a snare wire

Poaching Death

25-Sep-21

Other

Tsavo East NP

Technical Cases

The treatment is a routine for control of targeted infectious diseases

Task Successful

28-Sep-21

Elephant

Amboseli Environs

Collared

Collaring for HWC migration

Task Successful

28-Sep-21

Elephant

Shimba Hills Reserve

Collared

Collaring for HWC migration

Task Successful

30-Sep-21

Primate

Ukunda, South Coast

HWC

A baboon had a metal can around the neck

Not Located

Reason for Intervention

Outcome

Case 1 – 4th September 2021 Ostrich

Snare

Mairua, Kajiado

Community Rangers at South Rift Association of Landowners (SORALO) reported a snared ostrich at KWSKajiado county office. The report was relayed to AMVU on 4 September 2021 and the bird was treated the same day. The bird was followed on a motorbike for darting and treatment.

Immobilisation, examination and treatment The ostrich was darted from a motorbike for restraint. The chemical immobilization used 5mg Etorphine hydrochloride and 8mg Medetomidine.

The snare wire was cut and unwound from the neck. The bird was reluctant to feed and frequently kept lying down. The ostrich was in poor condition and the neck was swollen, indicating the snare had inhibited its ability to feed. The ostrich was stabilized with intravascular fluids for hydration. 30ml Amoxicillin (Betamox) and 15ml Dexamethasone covered for bacterial infection and inflammation respectively.

Prognosis The prognosis is good. The ostrich should make a full recovery.

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Case 2 – 10th September 2021 Giraffe

Research/Survey

Eselenkei

Two giraffes were enclosed in a fenced private farm at Kuju in Eselenkei Group Ranch. The Veterinary team at Amboseli visited the area following the complaint to establish the situation and release the giraffes.

Immobilisation, examination and treatment The fenced plot measured about 35 acres and is privately owned. However, the owner was not established, and the land was unoccupied. By the time the Unit arrived at the plot, the two giraffes had been released.

The KWS Warden at the Oilierero outpost and the Big Life Foundation Rangers at Eselenkei opened the fence and freed the giraffes. The fence attendants from Amboseli National Park assisted in closing the fence.

A search inside the fenced farm revealed four giraffe carcasses but no other animals were found. The carcasses were aged between 7 and 20 days old. This was established using the hierarchy of entomological processes on the degrading remains. All the Acacia present in the farm were fully browsed. No water point or source existed in the farm.

Conclusion The fence was over six months old, based on vegetation and overgrowth in the cleared fence line. It is likely that the giraffes were unnoticeably fenced in. The deaths were likely natural and probably due to dehydration

Case 3 – 13th September 2021 Security Dog

Technical Cases

Kaluku, Tsavo

Trypanosomiasis is known to cause death in dogs. The disease vector is prevalent in Tsavo East National Park and hence a great risk to the tracker dogs used for park patrol.

This treatment is procedure targeted for prevention against trypanosomiasis.

Treatment The dogs were normal and healthy. They were injected with at least 0.8ml of Triquin based on their weight.

There were no adverse reactions to the treatment.

Case 4 – 14th September 2021 Giraffe

Relocation

Mashuru, Eselenkei

The BLF team spotted and reported a giraffe that had entered a fenced plot. The giraffe was unable to move out of the plot due to the narrow size of the gate. The owner of the land was also hesitant in breaking the fence and requested assistance to move the giraffe out.

Immobilisation, examination and treatment No chemical was immobilization used. Instead, the giraffe was pushed to the only, but narrow, gate with two vehicles. Nonetheless, the giraffe refused to use the open gate but tried to force his way out by jumping the fence. Unfortunately, the giraffe and the hind legs were entangled in the fence.

To avoid injuries, the giraffe was manually restrained by the head and neck using 3 men. Ropes were put around the hind limbs and a team of 6 men helped pull the giraffe out of the fence wires.

Prognosis The giraffe once out was released and walked away freely. The fence was not broken despite being made loose to free the giraffe.

Case 5 – 14th September 2021 Elephant

Natural Causes

Amboseli

KWS Park Patrol Team reported the injured elephant to AMVU. Immobilisation, examination and treatment The mother elephant was darted from a vehicle with 20mg Etorphine hydrochloride.

The mother had given birth approximately less than 14 days prior to the time the sick calf was found. This was estimated from the last sighting of the elephant and the physical appearance of the calf. The calf had very red-looking ears and the umbilicus was dry.

No external injuries or deformities were observed.

The calf was rehydrated with intravenous fluids. 10ml Amoxicillin (Betamox) and 5ml Dexamethasone were administered to cover for bacterial infection and shock respectively.

Prognosis Unfortunately, the calf died a rescue was being organised for further care.

Case 6 – 16th September 2021 Elephant

Spear

Amboseli National Park

The Park Patrol Team at Amboseli reported the injured elephant to AMVU. The Amboseli Elephant Research team assisted in locating the elephant for darting and treatment. Both teams assisted with the treatment.

Immobilisation, examination and treatment The elephant was darted from a vehicle using 20mg Etorphine hydrochloride.

The elephant had a wound and an embedded which was gently pulled out of the wound. The wound was opened and cleaned using cotton swabs on pointed forceps. Hydrogen peroxide debrided the dead tissue while Iodine solution irrigated the wound to prevent bacterial infection.

100ml Amoxicillin (Betamox) was administered as an antibiotic and 25ml Dexamethasone as an antiinflammatory. Additionally, Oxytetracycline wound spray was applied to the affected wound area and on the body. The same was used to label for identification and elephant post-treatment monitoring Prognosis Prognosis is good.

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Case 7 – 17th September 2021 Giraffe

Arrow

Kiboko, Chyulu Hills

On SWT team at KARLO-Kiboko spotted and reported the arrowed giraffe to the AMVU. They team also monitored the giraffe until the vet team arrived for treatment.

Immobilisation, examination and treatment The giraffe was darted from a vehicle with 14mg Etorphine HCL and 40mg Azaperone. The dart landed at the level of the shoulder.

An arrowhead was removed by hand and the subsequent wound treated.

The giraffe was also administered 30ml Amoxicillin (Betamox) to cover for bacterial infection.

Faecal samples were collected for parasites egg count and identification, as well as blood samples for haematology tests.

Prognosis Prognosis is good.

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Case 8 – 20th September 2021 Buffalo

Natural Causes

Amboseli National Park

The Park Patrol Team reported a recumbent buffalo in Amboseli Park to AMVU. They further assisted in the buffalo treatment.

Immobilisation and examination The buffalo was darted from foot with 5mg Etorphine hydrochloride and 70mg Azaperone.

The bull was recumbent and could not stand. It was severely emaciated but without any physical injury.

Prognosis The prognosis was grave so the buffalo was euthanized on welfare grounds.

Case 9 – 24th September 2021 Giraffe

Natural Causes

Olgulului, Amboseli

Olgulului Community Rangers reported the recumbent giraffe to the AMVU. The team also monitored the giraffe until the vet team arrived for treatment.

Management The giraffe was recumbent and had a broken neck.

The animal was euthanized on welfare ground.

Case 10 – 25th September 2021 Buffalo

Snare

Athi River, Tsavo East

SWT de-snaring team reported the snared buffalo to AMVU. They further assisted AMVU in locating, darting and treatment of the buffalo.

Immobilisation and examination The buffalo was darted from a vehicle using 4 mg Etorphine hydrochloride and 40mg Azaperone.

The buffalo was strongly held on a tree by a snare wire. The wire was hard to break and the buffalo could not break loose.

Unfortunately, the buffalo aggressiveness led to strangulation after darting. An attempt to resuscitate the buffalo was not successful due to challenges of time and weight of the animal.

Case 11 – 25th September 2021 Security Dog

Technical Case

Kaluku, Tsavo

The treatment is prophylactic and against rabies, canine distemper, hepatitis, leptospira and parvo enteritis.

This treatment is routine and normally done once year.

Treatment The dogs were normal and healthy. The treatment is a routine for control of targeted infectious diseases (Rabies, canine distemper, hepatitis, leptospira and parvo enteritis).

The dogs were inoculated with a 1ml of DHLP and anti-rabies each.

No pictures are available.

Case 12 & 13 – 28th – 30th September 2021 Elephant

Collaring

Tsavo and Shimba Hills

Mara Elephant Project funded and facilitated the collaring of three elephants in the Southern part of Tsavo and Shimba hills.

The collared elephants will assist in the monitoring of elephant movement, and determination of population in the Shimba Hills and southern part of Tsavo across seasons.

Collaring exercise The elephants were darted from a helicopter with 18-20mg Etorphine HCL. All elephants were successfully collared and revived.

Case 14 – 30th September 2021 Baboon

Human-Wildlife Conflict

Ukunda, South Coast

A baboon with a metal can on the neck was reported to AMVU by Colobus trust. This illegal and unethical act is probably retaliatory to annoying baboons in the area. The can on the neck is most likely a remnant of the snare used in capturing the baboon.

It is the vet team assumption that the baboon was caught and painted blue to dispel other baboons from the area. Attempted capture of the baboon was unsuccessful due to environmental challenges. The baboon is living within an extensive residential area.

While the Unit attempted the capture, the baboon was observed to make several escapes between homes and it was not possible to acquire consent for entry. The local vet shall follow up on authority to work within the homes and monitor the baboon for an appropriate opportunity for immobilization.