SWT/KWS MARA MOBILE VETERINARY UNIT AUGUST 2021
Introduction
3 Cases in August
2 Poaching Cases
1 Elephant Case
August Report by Dr. Campaign Limo The month was characterised by decreased precipitation with high daytime temperatures. The annual wildebeest migration is active with many of the wildebeests and zebras spread across the ecosystem. Accidental fires swept across the Masai Mara National Reserve earlier in the month with significant amount of vegetation destroyed and briefly displacing some wild animals from their habitat, but concerted efforts by County Government officials and other stakeholders helped stop the spread. Few cases requiring veterinary attention were reported and attended to with most of the large herbivores, especially the elephants moving out of the Reserve to Conservancies away from the large wildebeest herds. Follow up on the male cheetah that was treated the previous month for fight wounds from other cheetahs revealed that he has greatly improved and able to hunt. The eye that was injured appears to have improved and much vision restored. Acknowledgement The Mara Mobile Veterinary Unit would like to extend their gratitude to whole stakeholders who partnered with them over the month by reporting and monitoring cases that required help. Many thanks to Minara Foundation through The SWT for their continued support and facilitation to the unit. Thanks too to KWS management for the technical support accorded to the unit.
Case Details Date
Species
Area Found
11-Aug-21
Zebra
Masai Mara NR
Reason for Intervention Spear
A fresh deep penetrating wound about three days old caused by suspected spearing ·
12-Aug-21
Elephant
Siana Conservancy
Spear
19-Aug-21
Lion
Mara Triangle
Natural Causes
A penetrating sharp-edged wound was seen on the left upper abdomen which appeared less than 24 hours old. Another rough-edged wound was seen on his right inguinal area Several injuries caused during territorial fights with other lions. The worst of these injuries was a debilitating bite on the right dorsal aspect of his neck resulting in the fracture of the last two cervical vertebrae
Outcome Successfully Treated Poaching Death
Died
SWT/KWS Mara Mobile Vet Unit Treatment Locations August 2021
Case 1 – 11th August 2021 Zebra
Spear
Masai Mara NR
This male zebra was seen by a community member with an injury on his right hind leg. He was with a herd of zebras commonly seen hanging around his compound especially in the evenings. The Unit found the zebra with the herd within the compound. He had injury to his left knee and moved with difficulty. Immobilisation, examination and treatment The zebra was darted from foot with a combination of 6mgs Etorphine hydrochloride and 60mgs Azaperone. The zebra struggled to run away briefly before being overwhelmed by the anaesthetics after four minutes. Examination revealed a fresh wound about three days old caused by suspected spearing. This was a deep penetrating wound but luckily the joint capsule was not affected hence joint integrity was sound. The wound was debrided with dilute Hydrogen peroxide and rinsed with clean water. It was disinfected with tincture of Iodine then infused with Cloxacillin ointment and sprayed topically with Oxytetracycline spray. The zebra was also administered with Amoxicillin antibiotics and Flunixin meglumine anti-inflammatories. Prognosis The zebra got up one and a half minutes after anaesthetic reversal to join the other zebras. Prognosis is good.
Case 2 – 12th August 2021 Elephant
Spear
Siana Conservancy
This big bull carcass was seen in the morning by Rangers. They requested the Vet Unit to determine cause of death. Post-mortem Examination This big bull was found lying on his right lateral side with the following findings: His body condition was good estimated at 4 in a scale of 1 – 5 where 1 is poor and 5 perfect. Both tusks were intact. There was no evidence of struggle at the point of death. There was a penetrating sharp-edged wound to the left upper abdomen which was less than 24 hours old and a rough-edged wound on his right inguinal area with pus oozing through the narrow opening. On opening the carcass, the following was noted: The penetrating wound was deep and it involved the stomach and part of the large intestines. There was perforation of the stomach with ingesta contaminating the peritoneal space. The wound on the inguinal area was also deep but had not ruptured the internal organs. No other abnormal changes were noted in the other organs Cause of Death This elephant died from acute peritonitis caused by spearing to his upper left abdomen. There was seepage of gastrointestinal contents into the peritoneal space causing acute peritonitis. Assessment of the injury on his inguinal area revealed that it was caused by other elephants as they tried to lift him up using their tusks when he went recumbent. The tusks were retrieved and handed over to KWS security team for accounting and safe custody
Case 3 – 19th August 2021 Lion
Natural Causes
Mara Triangle
This lion was seen recumbent by the roadside by Conservancy Rangers. The Unit found him a few meters away from the road having dragged himself to a nearby shade. He had several discernible injuries, looked to be in great pain and was struggling to breathe. Breathing sounds were audible from a distance and he could barely raise his head. Immobilisation, examination and treatment Though his condition appeared dire, the team decided to sedate him for further examination. He was therefore darted with 4mgs Medetomidine hydrochloride and 200mgs Ketamine. His prognosis appeared poor from the onset. After placing him in a comfortable position, an examination was conducted which revealed several injuries caused by other lions. The worst of these injuries was a debilitating bite on the right side of his neck resulting in a fracture of the last two cervical vertebrae. The right scapula and first rib were also fractured. The other wounds were superficial. All wounds were cleaned with water, disinfected with Iodine and infused with Cloxacillin. Bone fragments were removed from the damaged vertebrae. He was also Amoxicillin antibiotics and Dexamethasone sodium anti-inflammatories. Cause of Death He came around from anaesthesia ten minutes after reversal but continued to display laboured breathing with tilted head. He died thirty minutes later. A post-mortem revealed there was a devastating injury on his neck which affected the nerves exiting the spine. This affected nerve supply to vital organs especially respiratory muscles including the diaphragm. Both lungs were collapsed on assessment and these complications eventually led to the death of this lion.