SWT/KWS MARA MOBILE VETERINARY UNIT FEBRUARY 2021
Introduction
13 Cases in February
9 Poaching Cases
4 Elephant Cases
February Report by Dr. Campaign Limo. There has been a continuation of rains that were experienced towards the end of last year which has provided grazers with abundant fodder and water. Predators are finding it difficult to hunt due to tall grass within the Reserve and have moved outside Conservation Areas in pursuit of alternative prey with conflict cases reported by communities. Acknowledgement The Mara Mobile Veterinary Unit would like to thank all stakeholders who helped in reporting various cases that were attended during the period. Thanks to Minara Foundation through SWT for their continued facilitation to the unit. Thanks to KWS management for their technical support and guidance to the unit.
Case Details Date
Species
Area Found
Reason for Intervention
Outcome
06-Feb-21
Zebra
Olarro Conservancy
Snared
Had a tight snare round her left front leg slightly above her carpus
Successfully Treated
06-Feb-21
Zebra
Olarro Conservancy
Snared
Had a snare round her left hind leg. She walked with difficulty dragging the snare
Successfully Treated
08-Feb-21
Lion
Masai Mara NR
HWC
This lion strayed into a community area, and became stuck in an enclosed compound
Task Successful
09-Feb-21
Zebra
Olarro Conservancy
Snared
The zebra was dragging a wire snare which was loosely attached to his front left limb
Successfully Treated
12-Feb-21
Elephant
Olarro Conservancy
Arrow
A septic wound caused by a poison arrow whose head was retrieved.
Successfully Treated
12-Feb-21
Elephant
Olarro Conservancy
Natural Causes
The big swelling on palpation was slightly reducible with a palpable ring at the base
Successfully Treated
15-Feb-21
Zebra
Mara Triangle
Arrow
This zebra was seen with an arrowhead on his left rump
Successfully Treated
15-Feb-21
Warthog
Mara Triangle
HWC
Had stepped on a plastic piping while rummaging in camp rubbish dumps
Successfully Treated
19-Feb-21
Elephant
Siana Conservancy
Spear
A septic spear wound on the medial aspect of his left front leg just above his elbow joint
Successfully Treated
20-Feb-21
Giraffe
Mara Triangle
Snared
The limb had a snare that had fallen leaving a wound round the joint
Poaching Death
21-Feb-21
Zebra
Olarro Conservancy
Snared
This zebra was seen with a tight snare round his right forelimb just below his elbow
Successfully Treated
21-Feb-21
Zebra
Olarro Conservancy
Snared
The snare was buried deep but the integrity of the joint was not affected
Successfully Treated
25-Feb-21
Elephant
Olarro Conservancy
Natural Causes
Revealed a swollen carpal joint assumed to be as a result of sprain.
Successfully Treated
SWT/KWS Mara Mobile Vet Unit Treatment Locations February 2021
Case 1 – 6th February 2021 Zebra
Snared
Olarro Conservancy
This zebra was seen by Olarro Conservancy Rangers. The Vet Unit found her grazing with other zebras with a tight snare round her left front leg slightly above her carpus. She was nervous and walked with difficulty.
Immobilisation, examination and treatment Restraint was achieved chemically by use of a combination of 5mgs Etorphine and 50mgs Azaperone. She was darted from a vehicle and it took seven minutes for the drugs to take full effect. Examination revealed a tight plain wire snare that had been there for more than two weeks and caused a deep wound but thankfully the damage was limited to the soft tissues. The snare was cut loose and removed, followed by debridement of the resultant wound with Hydrogen peroxide. The wound was rinsed with clean water and disinfected with Iodine. Oxytetracycline spray was then applied before the zebra was administered with long acting Tetracycline antibiotics and Flunixin meglumine anti-inflammatory all given intramuscularly. Prognosis After treatment, the anaesthetic was reversed and the zebra woke up one minute after reversal and joined the rest of the zebras grazing nearby. Prognosis for full recovery is good.
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Case 2 – 6th February 2021 Zebra
Snared
Olarro Conservancy
This zebra was spotted whilst the earlier attended zebra was being pursued. She had a snare round her left hind leg. She walked with difficulty while dragging the shiny plain wire along.
Immobilisation, examination and treatment The zebra was immobilised with a combination of 5mgs Etorphine hydrochloride and 50mgs Azaperone tartarate delivered remotely through a 1.5ml dan-inject dart from a vehicle. Examination revealed a tight plain wire snare round her left tarsal joint which had burrowed deep into the tissues. Luckily the joint stability was not affected. The wire was cut loose and removed leaving a raw septic wound. All necrotic tissues were removed with Hydrogen peroxide then rinsed with clean water, disinfected with Iodine and sprayed with Oxytetracycline wound spray. The zebra was also administered Oxytetracycline antibiotics and Flunixin meglumine antiinflammatories all given parenterally. Prognosis Good. She woke up 2 minutes after the anaesthetic was reversed to join other zebras who were waiting close by.
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Case 3 – 8th February 2021 Lion
Human-wildlife Conflict
Masai Mara National Reserve
This male lion strayed from the Masai Mara Game Reserve to a Community area. He is a member of the famous Fig Tree pride. He accidentally entered an enclosed compound and was unable to get out. The community members requested it be relocated for fear of it attacking livestock and possibly harming people. Immobilisation, examination and treatment He was traced to a bushy area within the compound. He was chemically captured by darting from a vehicle with 6mgs Medetomidine hydrochloride and 250mgs Ketamine hydrochloride. The drugs took full effect after ten minutes; a blindfold was put in place and Cloxacillin ointment applied to both eyes to prevent desiccation. He was then loaded onto a padded truck and taken deep into the game reserve where his pride occupies. Prognosis The anaesthetic was reversed with 20mgs Atepamezole hydrochloride given intramuscularly one hour after immobilization. He woke up eight minutes after reversal and retreated to a small thicket nearby. The County Government Rangers were advised to monitor his movements and report. It was reported, he was able to link up with his pride that night.
Case 4 – 9th February 2021 Zebra
Snared
Olarro Conservancy
This young male was seen by Olarro Conservancy Rangers with a snare around his left front leg while on their daily patrols. They notified the Conservancy Management who called the Mobile Veterinary Unit.
Immobilisation, examination and treatment He was found grazing with other zebras in a relatively open field, dragging a plain wire snare which was loosely attached to his front left limb slightly above the carpus. He was darted from a vehicle with 5mgs Etorphine hydrochloride and 50mgs Azaperone. The drugs took effect in five minutes; after which he was placed in a comfortable position and a blindfold put in place. Examination revealed the snare could have been in place for three days as it was well set. The snare had caused mild abrasions wounds which were cleaned with water and disinfected with Iodine. Oxytetracycline spray was then applied topically. Other treatments given were Oxytetracycline antibiotics and Flunixin meglumine anti-inflammatories. Prognosis The anaesthetic was reversed and he rose up in two minutes to join the rest of the herd. Prognosis is good.
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Case 5 – 12th February 2021 Elephant
Arrow
Olarro Conservancy
This bull, about 20-years-old, was seen browsing with a big mixed herd of elephants within the Conservancy. He had a big septic wound on the medial side of his right hind leg and he walked with a slight limp. Immobilisation, examination and treatment The elephant was darted from a vehicle with 16mgs Etorphine hydrochloride. The elephant took nine minutes to be fully narcotized and assumed right lateral recumbency. He was flipped over gently for ease of assessment and treatment. Examination revealed a septic wound caused by an arrow and the arrowhead was retrieved. The arrow appeared to be poisoned as it caused local tissue necrosis and sloughing. The arrow head was gently pulled out, then the wound was rinsed with clean water, debrided with Hydrogen peroxide and disinfected with Iodine. Green clay was then packed into the wound to absorb toxins and help prevent sepsis. The elephant was also administered with Clindamycin antibiotics and Flunixin meglumine anti-inflammatories. Prognosis He woke up 4-minutes after the anaesthetic was reversed and joined the rest of the herd. Prognosis is good.
Case 6 – 12th February 2021 Elephant
Natural Causes
Olarro Conservancy
This bull was seen with a big swelling resembling an abscess on his right abdomen as the earlier bull was being attended to. The team decided to immobilize and examine him. Immobilisation, examination and treatment The elephant was darted from a vehicle with 17mgs Etorphine hydrochloride and took ten minutes to become fully anaesthetized. He assumed left lateral recumbency exposing the swelling for ease of examination. On palpation, the swelling was slightly reducible with a palpable ring at the base. There was an old healed scar from a blunt object at the apex of the swelling. Aspiration revealed a straw-coloured fluid, which on close analysis was considered peritoneal fluid. All these were indications of a hernia. This bull could have received a blow from a blunt object causing breakage of internal connective tissues but leaving the skin intact. This was likely caused by a gore from another bull’s tusks. Since the bull was in good shape, it was decided not to interfere with the swelling. He was given Tetracycline antibiotics and Flunixin meglumine anti-inflammatories before being reversed with 48mgs Diprenorphine hydrochloride through a prominent ear vein. Prognosis This elephant should live with this hernia, with minimum complications that will not affect his quality of life.
Case 7 – 15th February 2021 Zebra
Arrow
Mara Triangle
This injured zebra was reported by the Mara Triangle Rangers whilst on their daily patrols. He was isolated and appeared to be in pain. The rangers notified the Mobile Veterinary Team for action.
Immobilisation, examination and treatment He was found a short distance from the rest of the herd. Though he was in good condition, he appeared restless and an arrowhead with a small portion of the arrow shaft was visible. Immobilisation was achieved by darting from a vehicle with 5mgs Etorphine hydrochloride and 50mgs Azaperone. It took five minutes for the drugs to take full effect with this zebra becoming recumbent and assuming sternal recumbency. He was placed in a more comfortable position before the deep-seated arrowhead was removed. This was a non-poisoned, non- barbed arrow. The resultant wound was flushed with clean water and disinfected with Iodine. Chlortetracycline bolus and green clay were packed into the wound. The zebra was also given Fllunixin meglumine anti-inflammatories and Oxytetracycline antibiotics. Prognosis The anaesthetic was reversed and he rose up in two minutes to join the rest of the herd. Prognosis is good.
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Case 8 – 15th February 2021 Warthog
Human-Wildlife Conflict
Mara Triangle
This warthog was reported to have stepped on plastic piping while rummaging in domestic and other wastes from Kichwa Tembo camp. The camp attendants reported to the Mobile Veterinary Unit for assistance. This warthog was found near staff quarters within Kichwa Tempo camp. She walked with some difficulty with the tight plastic tubing round her right carpus. Immobilisation, examination and treatment Immobilization was achieved with a combination of 4mgs Etorphine hydrochloride and 20mgs Azaperone tartarate. The warthog was darted from foot and it took four minutes for the drugs to take full effect. The plastic tubing could have been in place for a very long time, possibly a year, with some damage caused. The plastic was cut loose and removed leaving behind a raw wound. The wound was debrided, rinsed with clean water and disinfected with tincture of Iodine. Other treatments given included parenteral administration of Amoxicillin antibiotics and Flunixin meglumine anti-inflammatories. Prognosis She woke up 3-minutes after reversal of the anaesthetic and joined the other warthogs. Prognosis is good.
Case 9 – 19th February 2021 Elephant
Spear
Siana Conservancy
This bull was spotted walking with difficulty by Elephant Aware Rangers on their daily patrols. The Vet Unit found the bull alone on top of a bushy hill. The Unit waited for several hours in hopes the bull would come down but eventually, a team of rangers had to go on foot to try and push the elephant into better terrain. This worked and he gently came down the hill to a relatively open area. He was limping on his left front leg. Immobilisation, examination and treatment The elephant was immobilised with 16mgs Etorphine hydrochloride from foot. He was nervous and took refuge in a small bush. Examination revealed a septic spear wound on the medial aspect of his left front leg just above his elbow joint. The wound could have been there for about a month. All necrotic tissues were removed with the help of Hydrogen peroxide. The wound was then rinsed with clean water and disinfected with tincture of Iodine. The wound was also packed with Chlortetracycline bolus and sprayed with Oxytetracycline. The elephant was also given Oxytetracycline and Clindamycin antibiotics. Prognosis He woke up 3-minutes after reversal of the anaesthetic and walked away. Prognosis is good.
Case 10 – 20th February 2021 Giraffe
Snared
Mara Triangle
This giraffe was emaciated with a swollen lower right hind leg. She was reported to have stayed in one place for almost a week with limited movements. The Vet Unit found her alone in a relatively open area with a swollen right fetlock joint. Her body condition was poor. It was thought a snare was buried at the joint. Immobilisation, examination and treatment The giraffe was immobilised with 8mgs Etorphine hydrochloride and 50mgs Azaperone tartarate. It took eight minutes for the drugs to take effect, after which the anaesthetic was reversed immediately and she was manually restrained. The limb had a snare wound around the joint though the snare had fallen off. Another scar was seen on the right side of her spine near the sacral area. This giraffe succumbed during treatment and a post-mortem was conducted to ascertain her complications. Post-mortem and cause of death She was dehydrated, had severe anaemia and was carrying a bull calf. There was evidence of gelatinous fatty degeneration; a sign of prolonged debility. The sacral area corresponding to the external scar had a massive blood clot from an artery which had formed a big haematoma. This injury could have occurred a week earlier which explained the severe anaemia. This giraffe could not survive immobilization and sadly died.
Case 11 – 21st February 2021 Zebra
Snared
Olarro Conservancy
This zebra was seen with a tight snare round his right forelimb just below his elbow by the Conservancy Rangers. The Conservancy Manager notified the Vet Unit who found the zebragrazing with other zebras in an open area. The wire snare was visible from a distance as he dragged it around while moving.
Immobilisation, examination and treatment The zebra was immobilised with 5mgs Etorphine hydrochloride and 50mgs Azaperone. The drugs took effect after four minutes and he assumed right lateral recumbency. After being placed in a comfortable position, the snare was gently removed which left a big raw wound with maggots. All the maggots were manually removed and the necrotic tissue debrided. After rinsing with clean water, the wound was disinfected with tincture of Iodine and sprayed with Oxytetracycline spray. He also received Oxytetracycline antibiotic and Flunixin meglumine anti-inflammatories. Prognosis Prognosis for a full recovery is good.
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Case 12 – 21st February 2021 Zebra
Snared
Olarro Conservancy
This zebra was seen at the same time as the earlier reported zebra and was treated the same day. He was found lying under a shade a few meters from other zebras with a snare round his left fetlock joint.
Immobilisation, examination and treatment The zebra was immobilised with a combination of 5mgs Etorphine hydrochloride and 50mgs Azaperone delivered. The zebra was darted from a vehicle and the drugs took effected after four minutes. The snare was buried deep but the integrity of the joint was not affected. The snare was gently removed and the wound debrided with Hydrogen peroxide then rinsed with clean water. Tincture of iodine was applied topically for disinfection and Oxytetracycline spray as antibiotic. Other treatments given include parenteral administration of long acting Oxytetracycline as an antibiotic and Flunixin meglumine as an anti-inflammatory. Prognosis Prognosis for a full recovery is good.
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Case 13 – 25th February 2021 Elephant
Natural Causes
Olarro Conservancy
This big bull with a tracking collar, christened ‘Lempiris’, was seen by KWS Rangers, Olarro Conservancy and Mara Elephant Project teams while carrying out snare removal in this general area. Lempiris has been immobilized on a few occasions for treatment and collar deployment hence was shy on approach. His left foreleg was swollen at the carpal joint and he had slight difficulty moving though he placed weight on it. Immobilisation, examination and treatment The elephant was darted with 19mgs Etorphine hydrochloride. Though very elusive, he was finally darted from a vehicle and it took 15 minutes for the drugs to take effect with this elephant initially assuming sternal recumbency and finally left lateral position. For better assessment of the affected limb, he was gently turned over to lie on his right side. Examination revealed a swollen carpal joint assumed to be as a result of sprain. He was given Oxytetracycline antibiotics and Dexamethasone sodium anti-inflammatories intramuscularly before being revived. Prognosis He woke up 3-minutes after reversal of the anaesthetic and walked away. Prognosis is good.