SWT/KWS AMBOSELI MOBILE VETERINARY UNIT APRIL 2020
Introduction
4 Cases in April
1 Lion Case
3 Elephant Cases
April Report by Dr. Kariuki Edward During April 2020, the SCA-Amboseli Mobile Veterinary Unit (SCA-AMVU) attended to four cases; three elephants and a lioness. All the four cases were necropsies required to determine the cause of death. The cause of death in the three elephants was determined to be natural and non-infectious but the specific cause was not confirmed. The lioness was speared at Oltiasika, presumably due to human-wildlife conflict, and died of bleeding due to vital organ damage. Acknowledgement We thank Sheldrick Wildlife Trust (SWT) for material support and Mobile Unit funding. KWS rangers at Amboseli National Parks, Olgulului Group Ranch Rangers at Kitenden Conservancy and Elephant research are also thanked for their support and company. All other people who supported monitoring of distressed and dead elephant and lioness in areas of interest are highly appreciated .
Case Details Date
Species
Area Found
Reason for Intervention
Elephant
Kitenden Conservancy
Rescue
13-Apr-20
Lion
Oltiasika, Amboseli
Human Wildlife Conflict
21-Apr-20
Elephant
Amboseli Environs
Postmortem
27-Apr-20
Elephant
Losiruai, Amboseli
Postmortem
07-Apr-20
The elephant was located in a dam near Boma ya Bendera on the way to the Lemomo site. The female was found in a dam and could not stand on her own The lion had a deep penetrating wound at the level of the thoracic chamber caused by a spear The perineal area was extensively bulged and the rear limbs and tail of a calf could be observed protruding out from the reproductive opening The elephant carcass was in an advanced state of decomposition and fluids marked the ground. No external wound or foreign body found on the body surfaces
Outcome
Died
HWC Death
Died
Died
SWT/KWS Amboseli Mobile Vet Unit Treatment Locations April 2020
. Case
1 – 7th April 2020
Elephant
Rescue
Kitenden Conservancy, Amboseli
The Olgulului group Ranch management at Kitenden Conservancy, Amboseli, reported two elephants that were stuck in a dam. The mother had collapsed into the dam, while the calf remained by her side and could not leave. AMVU team prepared for a rescue and drove to the location of the sighting using a vehicle. The team managed to arrive on site in about 30 minutes but the elephant drowned to death shortly after arrival. Examination The elephant was located in a dam near Boma ya Bendera on way to Lemomo site. The female found in the dam could not stand on her own. She collapsed while taking water in the dam. An immediate calf would not leave the mother and hindered the immediate rescue mission. Sadly, the female elephant succumbed before the Unit could rescue her. Physical examination of the carcass revealed no external injuries but she was severely emaciated; all bones were significantly prominent on the skin surface. The cow had a single tusk and was tusk less on the left side. Cause of Death Natural. Nonspecific disease condition as revealed by severe emaciation and anaemia.
Case 2 – 13th April 2020 Lion
Human-Wildlife Conflict
Oltiasika, Amboseli
A lioness was delivered to the Amboseli National Park by Big Life Foundation rangers in their vehicle. Examination The lioness had a deep penetrating wound at the level of the thoracic chamber. No other injuries were observed. The injury was confirmed to be spear inflicted Cause of Death Traumatic shock following excessive bleeding after vital organ damage by the spear.
Case 3 – 21st April 2020 Elephant
Post-mortem
Amboseli Environs
KWS rangers at Kitirua Post, and the management of Kitenden Conservancy, reported the sick elephant to AMVU. Patrol rangers observed what looked like a pus-like discharge from an elephant on the 16th April. They followed the discharge while on the lookout for a suspected injured elephant. The elephant was located at Kitirua basin in Amboseli National Park with a swollen perineum and unable to move as normal. Unfortunately, the elephant died before the vet and AMVU team arrived on site. Examination The elephant carcass was fresh and extensively bloated. The perineal area extensively bulged and the rear limbs and tail of a calf could be observed protruding out from the reproductive opening. Traction could not remove the calf due to limited passage from the reproductive opening. Episiotomy incision helped in the dead oedematous calf retrieval. The calf was bloated and decomposed. The skin peeled from the calf during removal from the mother reproductive tract. From analysis of history, the calf might have died 5 days before the mother. Cause of Death Shock due to bacteraemia and endotoxemia following dystocia and calf death.
Case 4 – 27th April 2020 Elephant
Post-mortem
Losiruai, Amboseli
The elephant was located in a thicket and reported by the Lepolos chief after livestock herders found the carcass. The chief reported the case to Senior Warden of Amboseli National Park. While the management of Kitenden Conservancy in Olgulului group Ranch directed and accompanied the Vet team to the carcass site. Examination The elephant carcass was located at Losiruai area. The carcass had no external injuries on the existing body remains. Physical examination; the elephant carcass was in an advanced state of decomposition and fluids marked the ground. No external wounds or foreign bodies were found on the intact body surfaces. Body fluids had flowed and some evaporated. Flies were minimal but butterflies ate the carcass fluids, which was an indication that the fly activity was over and only skin, collagenous parts and bones remained. Cause of Death Non-conclusive due to decomposition of the carcass