SWT/KWS Mara Mobile Veterinary Report for March 2021

SWT/KWS MARA MOBILE VETERINARY UNIT MARCH 2021

Introduction

6 Cases in March

3 Poaching Cases

83% Success

March Report by Dr. Campaign Limo This month was characterised by poor precipitation with high daytime temperatures for most of the days.

The area remained dry for most of the period with watering points drying up.

Cases of snaring, which were the main cause of February cases, were still encountered within some Conservancies though with decreased incidences. The Unit attended to three snared zebras, the rescue of one giraffe from a deep swamp which sadly didn’t survive, treatment of a lion for fight wounds and recovery and relocation of a hyena that had been trapped after preying on livestock.

Acknowledgement The Mara Mobile Veterinary Unit would like to appreciate all the stakeholders for the efforts they made in reporting and monitoring the animals who required intervention during the month. Thanks to Minara Foundation through the SWT for their continued support to the Unit. Thanks to KWS management for the technical support offered to the unit.

Case Details Date

Species

Area Found

Reason for Intervention

11-Mar-21

Zebra

Olarro Conservancy

Snared

This zebra was seen with a tight snare round his right hind leg

Successfully Treated

11-Mar-21

Zebra

Olarro Conservancy

Snared

Fresh abrasion wound caused by a snare which had since fallen off

Successfully Treated

17-Mar-21

Hyena

Masai Mara NR

Human Wildlife Conflict

22-Mar-21

Giraffe

Masai Mara NR

Rescue

23-Mar-21

Zebra

Olarro Conservancy

Snared

24-Mar-21

Lion

Masai Mara NR

Natural Causes

A hyena was captured in a trap in the Ntulele community after it preyed on livestock. The community threatened to kill her This big bull was seen on the morning of this date struggling to pull himself out of a small but deep swamp This zebra was found grazing with other zebras with a shiny plain wire snare attached to her left hind leg This lion was found a few meters away from Half tail who was mating. He had several fight wounds and struggled while moving

Outcome

Successfully Treated Died Successfully Treated Successfully Treated

SWT/KWS Mara Mobile Vet Unit Treatment Locations March 2021

Case 1 – 11th March 2021 Zebra

Snared

Olarro Conservancy

This zebra was seen with a tight snare round his right hind leg by Olarro Conservancy Rangers. The Conservancy has experienced an increase in snare cases among wildlife species and the Conservancy Rangers with other teams are conducting regular patrols to carry out snare removals and checking on the wildlife.

Immobilisation, examination and treatment She was found isolated from the rest of the zebras with a tight snare round his right hind leg slightly above the fetlock joint which affecting his mobility.

Immobilization was achieved by darting the zebra from a vehicle using a combination of 50mgs Azaperone and 6mgs Etorphine hydrochloride with drug taking effect after four minutes. Examination, revealed a longstanding snare which had burrowed deep into the right hind leg damaging some of the tendons. The snare was untied and removed. The septic wound was debrided with Hydrogen peroxide and rinsed with clean water. Tincture of iodine was applied for disinfection and Oxytetracycline antibiotics spray applied topically.

The zebra was also given Oxytetracycline antibiotics and Flunixin meglumine anti-inflammatories.

Prognosis Good. He woke up from anaesthesia one minute post reversal to look for other zebras some meters away.

Case 2 – 11th March 2021 Zebra

Snared

Olarro Conservancy

This zebra was spotted in a herd not far from the previously treated zebra. He had a wound slightly lower to his right hock thought to have been caused by snaring.

Immobilisation, examination and treatment Restraint was achieved chemically with the use of a combination of 6mgs Etorphine hydrochloride and 50mgs

Azaperone tartarate delivered from a vehicle. This zebra took off briefly before being overwhelmed by the anaesthetics five minutes after darting.

After placing him in a more comfortable position, examination was conducted which revealed a fresh abrasion wound caused by a snare which had since fallen off. The wound was cleaned with copious amounts of water and disinfected with tincture of Iodine. Oxytetracycline wound spray was also applied topically.

Other treatments given include parenteral administration of Oxytetracycline antibiotics and Flunixin meglumine anti-inflammatories.

Prognosis Prognosis is good. He rose up one and half minutes after reversal to join the other zebras close by.

Case 3 – 17th March 2021 Hyena

Human-Wildlife Conflict

Masai Mara

This hyena was captured with a trap in the community area in Ntulele after preying on livestock in the area.

The community members brought the complaint to KWS Narok management and threatened to kill the hyena.

KWS set up a trap that successfully captured this hyena whose suitable release site was identified as the Masai Mara Reserve which is a protected area Treatment and Release She was brought to the Mara Vet Unit for examination and release. She had several superficial abrasion wounds which were self-inflicted while struggling in the trap cage.

Topical Oxytetracycline antibiotic spray was applied on all the wounds before she was released within Masai Mara Reserve with prognosis considered good.

Case 4 – 22nd March 2021 Giraffe

Rescue

Masai Mara NR

This big bull was seen on the morning of this date struggling to pull himself out of a small but deep swamp. The Mobile Veterinary Unit were immediately called to help rescue him.

Rescue/examination The Mobile Veterinary Unit responded immediately and upon reaching the area, they found the giraffe was already dead with blood oozing from his nostrils. He was on left lateral recumbency partly submerged and bloated.

Examination revealed he could have been trapped for more than 24 hours and finally suffered fatigue and a head concussion as he tried to pull himself from the entrapment.

With the help of long ropes and vehicle, the carcass was pulled out of the dangerous swamp to prevent other big predators from being equally trapped as they scavenge on his carcass. The carcass was dragged to an open area and left for the scavengers to feed on.

Case 5 – 23rd March 2021 Zebra

Snared

Olarro Conservancy

This female zebra was seen dragging a wire snare on her right hind leg by Olarro Conservancy Rangers. There has been a rise in cases of snarings at the edge of this Conservancy of late, this being one of the victims.

Immobilisation, examination and treatment This zebra was found grazing with other zebras with a shiny plain wire snare attached to her left hind leg slightly above the fetlock joint. She was in good condition and appeared heavily gravid.

She was darted from vehicle with a combination of 6mgs Etorphine hydrochloride and 60mgs Azaperone tartarate done from a vehicle. After running for about four minutes, she was overwhelmed with the drugs and she went down on her sternum. Given she was heavily pregnant, treatment had to be fast in order not to compromise her safety and that of the unborn. The snare was loose and had caused mild abrasion. The wire was removed and the resultant wound cleaned with copious amounts of water. Tincture of iodine and Oxytetracycline spray were topically applied. Oxytetracycline was also given intramuscularl.

Prognosis The anaesthetic was reversed with 18mgs Diprenorphine hydrochloride through the jugular vein. She woke up one and half minutes later to join other zebras.

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Case 6 – 24th March 2021 Lion

Natural Causes

Masai Mara National Reserve

This lion christened ‘Logol’ was treated a couple of months before for fight wounds sustained while defending his territory. This time round, he was involved in a fight with his coalition partner christened ‘Half tail’ while competing for a mate. Half tail was able to overpower him inflicting some injuries. County Government Rangers based at Musiara sector notified the mobile veterinary unit and requested their help.

Immobilisation, examination and treatment This lion was found a few meters away from Half tail who was mating. He had several fight wounds and struggled while moving. He was darted from a vehicle with a combination of 6mgs Medetomidine and 230mgs Ketamine hydrochloride. It took twelve minutes for the drugs to take full effect.

A blindfold was put in place and an examination revealed multiple bite wounds on several parts of his body. These were fresh wounds which were cleaned with water, wiped dry with gauze swabs and disinfected with tincture of iodine. Cloxacillin antibiotic was infused into all the wounds and Amoxicillin antibiotic given parenterally.

Prognosis Prognosis is good. The anaesthetic was reversed one hour after immobilization. He woke up eight minutes later and was guided into a shade a few meters away.