SWT/KWS Amboseli Mobile Veterinary Report - January 2019

SWT/KWS AMBOSELI MOBILE VETERINARY UNIT JANUARY 2019

Introduction

4 Cases in January

3 Elephant Cases

75% Success

Janaury Report by Edward Kariuki The Amboseli Mobile Veterinary Unit (AMVU) attended to 4 clinical cases during the month of January 2019. Three on wildlife and one case involving two security dogs. Wild animals treated included two elephants and a zebra. One elephant was treated for an injury while the second examined for cause of death. One security dog was treated for abnormal swelling and the second one treated for an ear infection. The zebra was assisted in delivering after the foal died before complete delivery.

Acknowledgement We thank Sheldrick Wildlife Trust (SWT) for material support and Mobile Unit funding, KWS for logistical support and security. Wildlife Works, and SWT rangers for reporting and monitoring of distressed wild animals.

Case Details Date

Species

Area Found

Reason for Intervention

04-Jan-19

Security Dog

Kaluku, Tsavo East

Natural Causes

Two ill dogs were reported; one with swelling and one with an ear infection

Successfully Treated

09-Jan-19

Elephant

Amboseli Ecosystem

Natural Causes

The foal was looped with the umbilicus and was stuck during birth

Successfully Treated

10-Jan-19

Elephant

Amboseli Ecosystem

Natural Causes

The male elephant suffered a closed fracture of the foreleg

Successfully Treated

20-Jan-19

Elephant

Amboseli National Park

Post mortem

The carcass was found in a marshy area. Body tissues were intact and looked dehydrated

Died

Outcome

KWS/SWT Amboseli Mobile Vet Unit Treatment Locations January 2019

Case 1 – 4th January 2019 Security Dog

Natural Cause

Kaluku, Tsavo East

Two ill dogs were reported to AMVU, one with swelling and a second dog suffered ear infection.

Immobilisation, examination and treatment Dog #1 had a swelling at the backline at the level of the lumbar vertebrae. The dog was restrained manually using a muzzle and leash, then kept in a standing position for ease of treatment. The dog was treated systemically with 5ml of Amoxicillin given intramuscularly. 3ml cortisone was administered to ease the swelling among other inflammatory signs.

Naiko suffered an ear infection that had been treated but recurred. The dog was restrained manually using a muzzle and leash, then kept in a standing position for ease of manoeuvres and treatment. Naiko was treated for otitis; wax was cleaned using swabs wetted in surgical spirit, and a vial of Gentamycin ear drop was given for daily administration via the ear canal.

Prognosis Prognosis for dog~1 is good as there are no complications to the swelling and for Naiko, the prognosis is fair as there are complications and the infections keep recurring.

Case 2 – 9th January 2019 Zebra

Natural Causes

Amboseli National Park

The zebra was reported by KWS rangers while on Park patrol.

Immobilisation, examination and treatment The zebra was located and darted from a vehicle. It was immobilized and went down in about 10 minutes, then placed on lateral recumbency for ease of foal removal. The foal was looped with the umbilicus and couldn’t move. The foal was retracted in, and the umbilicus twist unwound from the foreleg. The calf and the reproductive tract were lubricated with oil and then removed with moderate traction.

Prognosis The prognosis was good as there were no complications from the traction of the foal.

Conclusion and way forward • The pattern of deaths and clinical signs displayed highly suggest a case of poisoning • Quick destruction of carcasses by burning denied the attending team opportunity to collect adequate samples, however one vulture had its engorged crop massaged and regurgitates collected as samples for toxicological analysis.

• Only part of the hyena intestines were salvaged as the whole carcass had been burned.

Pieces of intestinal tissue had been left behind and was collected as part of the sample for analysis.

• Rangers were advised to comb the area and collect any carcass for proper disposal to avoid potential secondary and tertiary poisonings. Any sick looking bird to be identified and reported to the relevant teams for attention. The rangers were also advised to be vigilant as it is possible to have more deaths over the next few days or even weeks.

The two vultures recovered fully and were released after two days of treatment and observation.

Case 3 – 10th January 2019 Elephant

Natural Causes

Amboseli National Park

Satao camp management reported the elephant to the Senior warden-Tsavo East National Park who reported the elephant to the AMVU. Mr Trevor Jennings from SWT picked the AMVU team from the airstrip and assisted in locating the elephant.

Immobilisation, examination and treatment The elephant was located and darted from a vehicle. It was immobilized chemically using 20mg Etorphine Hcl. It went down in about 5 minutes and was placed on lateral recumbency for ease of treatment.

The male elephant suffered a close fracture of the foreleg. The leg was not infected, and the elephant suffered no other physical harm from the swelling. The bull was treated systemically with 100ml of Amoxicillin (Betamox LAÂŽ) administered through intramuscular route. Additionally, 20ml Cortisone was administered to ease the swelling. A small wound at the belly was treated with oxytetracycline spray to cover for flystrike and secondary bacterial infection.

Prognosis Prognosis is good!

Case 4 – 20th January 2019 Elephant

Post-mortem

Amboseli National Park

Amboseli Park rangers on patrol reported a dead elephant calf to AMVU on 20/01/2019. KWS rangers directed and assisted the AMVU in accessing the carcass and site for the necropsy.

Examination and Findings Gross observations: The carcass was found lying on the lateral position in a marshy area. Body tissues were intact and looked dehydrated. Tissue membranes were anaemic and yellowish.

The peritoneal space filled with fibrineous tissue and fluid. The elephant had no visible tusks on her since she was young. The cause was fibrinopurulent peritonitis of unknown cause.