SWT/KWS MARA MOBILE VETERINARY UNIT NOVEMBER 2021
Introduction
5 Cases in November
3 Poaching Cases
2 Elephant Cases
November Report by Dr. Campaign Limo The month remained dry with the forage available for browsers and grazing decreasing on a day-to-day basis. Thankfully, there has still been enough water available for the wildlife to utilise. The persisting dry spell is likely to bring about challenges in the near future due to competition for resources between wildlife and community members with their livestock, resulting in conflict. Despite these challenges, only 5 cases required veterinary intervention in November, including a snared elephant, a snared buffalo, a speared elephant, a lion gored by a buffalo during a hunt and a giraffe injured possibly due to a pointed tree stump. Acknowledgement The Mara Mobile Veterinary Unit would like to thank all stakeholders for their support in reporting cases requiring intervention and monitoring these patients after treatment. Many thanks to Elizabeth Scarlett for their support through the Sheldrick Trust, which facilitates the Unit's operations. Thanks also to KWS management for the technical advice and guidance to the Unit.
Case Details Date
Species
Area Found
10-Nov-21
Elephant
Mara Triangle
Snared
12-Nov-21
Giraffe
Mara North Conservancy
Natural Causes
12-Nov-21
Elephant
Mara North Conservancy
Spear
Had an injury on his upper right thigh caused by a spear
Successfully Treated
17-Nov-21
Buffalo
Mara Triangle
Snared
Had a cable wire snare loosely attached to his neck and dragging a huge tree stump
Successfully Treated
Lion
Masai Mara NR
Natural Causes
A member of the famous Black Rock Pride was seen injured after attempting to bring down a buffalo. The buffalo gored him leaving him with several injuries
Successfully Treated
20-Nov-21
Reason for Intervention He appeared to have been entangled in a snare causing injuries to his hind legs and trunk before freeing himself A deep vertically oriented wound with a rough edge, likely caused by a pointed tree stump
Outcome Prognosis Poor Successfully Treated
SWT/KWS Mara Mobile Vet Unit Treatment Locations November 2021
Case 1 – 10th November 2021 Elephant
Snare
Mara Triangle
This calf was seen by Mara Triangle Rangers isolated and limping. The Vet Unit found him alone, browsing a few meters from the main herd. His right hind leg had a big injury and half of his trunk was missing. Immobilisation, examination and treatment He was darted from foot with 60mgs Azaperone tartarate. It took ten minutes for this calf to be calm. He was then roped down and restrained for examination. He appeared to have been entangled in a snare causing injuries on his hind legs and trunk before freeing himself. Predators might have tried to bring him down while trapped by the snare, because claw marks were seen on his back. Part of the trunk was missing. The wound on the trunk was clean. A big wound was found on the side of his right hind leg which exposed part of his tibia. The left hind leg had bruises. The wounds on the legs were septic with maggot infestation. All the maggots were removed manually and wounds debrided with Hydrogen peroxide. After rinsing with clean water, the wound was disinfected with Iodine and packed with green clay. The calf was also given Clindamycin antibiotics, Flunixin meglumine anti-inflammatories and Ivermectin parasiticides. Prognosis After treatment, he was guided towards his family. Prognosis is guarded and he will be closely monitored.
Case 2 – 12th November 2021 Giraffe
Natural Causes
Mara North Conservancy
This injured big giraffe was seen by Mara North Conservancy Rangers. The Unit found the giraffe alone in an open area with a big wound on his ventral chest. Necrotic tissue was seen hanging from the wound. Immobilisation, examination and treatment The giraffe was darted from a vehicle with a combination of 12mgs Etorphine hydrochloride and 60mgs Azaperone. He was then roped to the ground minutes after darting. Examination revealed a deep vertically oriented wound with a rough edge likely caused by a pointed tree stump. The hanging necrotic tissues were removed, and the wound was debrided with Hydrogen peroxide and clean water. Tincture of iodine was used for disinfection and the wound left open for maximum drainage. Other treatments given included Amoxicillin antibiotics and Flunixin meglumine anti-inflammatories all administered intramuscularly. Prognosis The anaesthetic was reversed with 36mgs Diprenorphine given through the jugular vein. He was given some assistance to stand up which he finally did with no further complications. Prognosis is good.
Case 3 – 12th November 2021 Elephant
Spear
Mara North Conservancy
This elephant was seen with an injury on his upper right thigh by Conservancy Rangers on their daily patrols. This was spotted at the same time and in close proximity with the injured giraffe. The Unit found the big bull browsing with other two equally big bulls in a relatively open plain.
Immobilisation, examination and treatment The elephant was darted from a vehicle with 17mgs Etorphine hydrochloride and the drugs took full effect after eight minutes. This elephant assumed right lateral recumbency but the wound was still accessible. This was a relatively fresh spear inflicted wound. All necrotic tissues were removed Hydrogen peroxide and clean water. Tincture of iodine was then applied for disinfection. Other treatments given included parenteral administration of Amoxicillin antibiotics and Flunixin meglumine anti-inflammatories Reversal and Prognosis Reversal of the anaesthetic was achieved by administration of 42mgs Diprenorphine hydrochloride through a prominent ear vein. He rose up after two and half minutes to join the other bulls. Prognosis is good.
.
Case 4 – 17th November 2021 Buffalo
Snare
Mara Triangle
This buffalo was seen by Mara Triangle Conservancy Rangers with a cable wire snare loosely attached to his neck and dragging a huge tree stump. The Vet Unit found the bull in a thicket and he was very aggressive.
Immobilisation, examination and treatment Restraint was achieved chemically by use of a combination of 7mgs Etorphine hydrochloride and 60mgs Azaperone delivered through a 1.5ml dan-inject dart. The buffalo was darted from a vehicle and the drugs took full effect after eight minutes. He assumed sternal recumbency. Examination revealed a loose cable wire snare round his neck and the front left limb attached to a free tree stump which he had been dragging for a while. The snare was cut free and since the it was loose there were no injuries caused to the neck or limb. Reversal and Prognosis No treatment was deemed necessary and the anaesthetic was reversed with 24mgs Diprenorphine through a prominent ear vein. He rose up two minutes later and retreated deeper into the thicket. Prognosis is good. .
Case 5 – 20th November 2021 Lion
Natural Causes
Masai Mara National Reserve
This young male, a member of the famous Black Rock Pride was seen by visitors injured after attempting to bring down a buffalo. The buffalo gored him leaving him with several injuries. This young male was found in an open field with another big male. He appeared soiled as a result of the fierce encounter with the buffalo. There were several wounds caused by the buffalo horns. Somehow, the buffalo managed to escape the attack leaving this male lion injured. He had a wound on his ventral abdomen, right thigh and on his scrotum. He also had a deep wound on his left thoracic area which appeared serious and accessed the pleura. Immobilisation, examination and treatment The lion was darted from a vehicle with 6mgs Medetomidine and 220mgs Ketamine. Examination revealed several fresh wounds. The penetrating wound on the left thoracic area was severe and led into the pleural cavity with air escaping and accumulating beneath the skin causing visible emphysema. All the wounds were cleaned and disinfected with Iodine and stitched with strong absorbable suture. The lion was also given Amoxicillin antibiotics and Ivermectin parasiticide. Prognosis The lion was monitored for one hour under anaesthesia to confirm that the wound on the thorax was completely closed and leakage of air from pleura had stopped. Prognosis is favourable.