SWT/KWS AMBOSELI MOBILE VETERINARY UNIT FEBRUARY 2021
Introduction
8 Cases in February
2 Poaching Cases
4 Elephant Cases
February Report by Dr. Kariuki Edward SCA-Amboseli Mobile Veterinary Unit (SCA-AMVU) attended to eight veterinary cases during February 2021. Three elephants were treated for injuries, a giraffe was de-snared and the wound treated, an oryx was treated for a neck injury while post-mortems were conducted on 20 flamingos, 3 hyenas and an elephant bull to determine the cause of death. The flamingos died due to starvation, the hyenas died of suspected poisoning while the elephant death was presumed to be naturals there was no human interference. Acknowledgement We thank Sheldrick Wildlife Trust (SWT) for material support and Mobile Unit funding. Staff and rangers at Amboseli National Parks, Amboseli Elephant Research Team, Big Life Foundation 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 Date
Species
Area Found
01-Feb-21
Elephant
Kuku Group Ranch
01-Feb-21
Reason for Intervention
Outcome
Human Wildlife Conflict
The elephant had a wound on the left foot possibly caused when breaking a fence
Successfully Treated
Elephant
Amboseli NP
Spear
Elephant had a metal rod in the belly, the spear dropped and the elephant was left to heal on his own
Task Successful
04-Feb-21
Flamingo
Amboseli NP
Postmortem
All the birds examined were lesser flamingo females and died of natural causes
Died
15-Feb-21
Hyena
Manyani, Tsavo West NP
The stomach contents in the hyena gastrointestinal tract were similar to sheepskin found hanged on trees
HWC Death
18-Feb-21
Elephant
Amboseli NP
Human Wildlife Conflict Human Wildlife Conflict
The elephant had a wound on the left foot possibly caused when breaking a fence
Successfully Treated
18-Feb-21
Oryx
Kaluku, Tsavo
Natural Causes
The oryx had a swollen neck
Prognosis Poor
25-Feb-21
Giraffe
Chyulu Hills
Snared
The giraffe had a tightly fixed cable wire around the neck causing a wound
Successfully Treated
27-Feb-21
Elephant
Kuku Group Ranch
Postmortem
Tusks were intact and the carcass showed no signs of human interference
Died
SWT/KWS Amboseli Mobile Vet Unit Treatment Locations February 2021
Case 1 – 1st Feb 2021 Elephant
Human-Wildlife Conflict
Kuku Group Ranch
An elephant was reported with an injury to its foot in Kuku Group Ranch.
Immobilisation, examination and treatment The elephant was darted from a vehicle using 20 mg Etorphine hydrochloride.
Physical examination revealed the elephant had a wound at the foot on the left forelimb. This elephant is a notorious fence breaker and this could have been caused whilst breaking a fence. The elephant was administered with 100ml Amoxicillin (Betamox®) and 25ml Dexamethasone for bacterial infection and inflammatory reaction respectively. The wound was treated with Hydrogen peroxide to debride the dead tissue then irrigated with Iodine solution to control bacterial infection. Additionally, Oxytetracycline wound spray was applied to the affected wound. Prognosis Good
.
Case 2 – 1st February 2021 Elephant
Spear
Amboseli National Park
A visitor at the Amboseli National Park reported an injured elephant to AMVU
Immobilisation, examination and treatment The elephant was seen with a metal rod in her belly. While in pursuit of the elephant for darting, the spear dropped and the elephant was left to heal on its own. Prognosis The elephant was successfully revived and prognosis for full recovery is good.
Case 3 – 4th February 2021 Flamingo
Post-mortem
Amboseli National Park
The AMVU received a report of flamingo deaths at Amboseli from the local scientist. AMVU conducted an assessment to investigate the cause of death for the flamingos.
Observation and post-mortem A reconnaissance visit was conducted around the lakes and adjoining water masses. Few to no birds inhabited the main flamingo site at Oltukai. The birds inhabited unusual sites including sites known to have very little water. Over all sites, a few dead birds were observed but in none were more than one found. A total of 20 birds were found dead and scattered in the general area. The dead birds were significantly emaciated and were examined for cause of death. All the birds examined were female Lesser flamingos (Phoeniconaias minor). No Greater flamingos (Phoenicopterus roseus) were found dead despite their presence in the area, both the crop and stomach were empty but the colon was full of pasty mud. Cause of Death Exhaustion due to lack of food as a result of poor alkalinity of the water. It is presumed that there is a high influx of freshwater. The same is confirmed with the presence of pelicans and a variety of fish.
Case 4 – 15th February 2021 Hyena
Human-Wildlife Conflict
Manyani, Tsavo West
AMVU received the report of three dead hyenas from the Management of Kuku Conservancy. The hyenas had shown signs of vomiting before their death.
Observation and post-mortem General examination revealed the hyenas' carcasses demonstrated good body condition. The carcasses were decomposed and had few injuries on them. The stomach contents in the hyena gastrointestinal tract were similar to sheepskin found hanged on trees next to the death sites. Other intestinal contents were yellowish coloured but had no significant smell or consistency. All carcasses were located within an estimated distance of a 700metres radius. Cause of Death Suspected poisoning.
Case 5 – 18th February 2021 Elephant
Human-Wildlife Conflict
Amboseli National Park
The Elephant Research team at Amboseli reported the injured elephant to AMVU. The elephant had also been treated on 11 January. This was a repeat treatment and a progress check. 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 foot of the left forelimb. Hydrogen peroxide debrided the dead tissue from the wound while an Iodine solution was irrigated into the wound to control bacterial infection. Additionally, Oxytetracycline wound spray was applied to the affected wound area. The elephant was also administered with 100ml Amoxicillin (Betamox®) and 25ml Dexamethasone given through the intramuscular route to cover for bacterial infection and inflammatory reaction. Prognosis Prognosis for full recovery is good.
Case 6 – 18th February 2021 Oryx
Natural Causes
Kaluku, Tsavo
Mr Frans, based at SWT Kaluku Headquarters, reported the injured Oryx to AMVU. He also assisted in locating and darting the Oryx as the Oryx was hand-raised at Kaluku and resides within the compound.
Immobilisation, examination and treatment The Oryx was darted on foot using 4mg Etorphine hydrochloride and 30mg Azaperone. Physical examination revealed the Oryx had a swollen neck. The Oryx was treated with 30ml Amoxicillin (Betamox®) and 7ml Dexamethasone given through intramuscular route to cover for bacterial infection and the inflammatory reaction. Prognosis Prognosis is poor because the exact cause is unknown.
Case 7 – 25th Feb 2021 Giraffe
Snared
Chyulu Hills
The Big Life Foundation (BLF) scouts spotted and reported the snared giraffe to the AMVU. BLF scouts monitored the giraffe and the herd until the vet team arrived.
Immobilisation, examination and treatment The giraffe was darted from a vehicle into the shoulder using 14mg Etorphine HCL and 40mg Azaperone. The examination revealed the giraffe had a tightly fixed cable wire around the neck resulting in a wound. The snare was carefully removed. The wound was debrided with Hydrogen peroxide to remove the dead tissue then Iodine was irrigated into the wound to cover for the local bacterial infection. The giraffe was also given 80ml Amoxicillin (Betamox®) to cover for bacterial infection.
Prognosis Good.
.
Case 8 – 27th February 2021 Elephant
Post-mortem
Kuku Group Ranch
AMVU received a report of a dead elephant from the Maasai Wilderness Conservation Trust.
Observation and post-mortem The elephant carcass was located in open grassland. The carcass was decomposed, eaten by vultures and dried up. Physical examination revealed the tusks were present and the carcass exhibited no clear wounds on the external surface. Vultures and presumably other scavengers had fed on the carcass’ internal organs. Fluids oozed out from the body broken parts. Tusks were intact and the carcass showed no signs of human interference. Cause of Death Could not be determined due to extensive decomposition.