SWT/KWS MARA MOBILE VETERINARY UNIT SEPTEMBER 2021
Introduction
7 Cases in September
5 Poaching Cases
4 Elephant Cases
September Report by Dr. Campaign Limo September experienced scarce precipitation which increased in intensity towards the end. Most days of the month were calm with a few cases requiring veterinary intervention reported towards month end. The Unit attended to 7 cases including 2 snared zebras, 1 arrowed and 2 speared elephants. Unfortunately, one of the speared elephants had to be euthanised as the injury to his leg was too severe. Another elephant was examined and found to have a complete fracture of the leg, possibly from falling off a cliff and sadly also had to be euthanised. Additionally, a cheetah was successfully treated for a spear wound but this was likely due to human-wildlife conflict. Acknowledgement The Mara Mobile Veterinary Unit is grateful to all the stakeholders who helped report and monitor cases that required veterinary intervention during the period. Thanks to Minara Foundation through the SWT for their continuous facilitation to the Unit. Thanks to KWS management for the technical support and advice provided to the Unit during the period.
Case Details Date
Species
Area Found
19-Sep-21
Zebra
Mara Triangle
Snared
The snare was tight round the neck. She struggled to keep pace with the herd
Successfully Treated
23-Sep-21
Elephant
Mara Triangle
Natural Causes
A simple, but complete fracture on his proximal right front limb, at the mid humerus
Died
Cheetah
Masai Mara NR
Human Wildlife Conflict
A 2-3 day old injury suspected to have been caused by spearing
Successfully Treated
25-Sep-21
Elephant
Siana Conservancy
Spear
26-Sep-21
Zebra
Mara Triangle
Snared
27-Sep-21
Elephant
Mara Triangle
Arrow
28-Sep-21
Elephant
Olarro Conservancy
Spear
25-Sep-21
Reason for Intervention
This elephant was in very poor body condition with a wasted right hind leg and swollen left knee due to penetrating spear wound causing detachment of the joint A tight cable wire snare round his neck entangling his left hind leg causing severe injuries Scanning with a metal detector was positive for metallic foreign object. Probing revealed a deeply seated arrowhead A septic spear wound approximately two weeks old
Outcome
Poaching Death Successfully Treated Successfully Treated Successfully Treated
SWT/KWS Mara Mobile Vet Unit Treatment Locations September 2021
Case 1 – 19th September 2021 Zebra
Snare
Mara Triangle
This zebra was seen with a snare round her neck by Mara Triangle Conservancy Rangers on their patrols. She is among the migrant zebras and wildebeests currently occupying most parts of the Conservancy. The Vet Unit found her with other zebras and in distress. She struggled to keep pace with the herd.
Immobilisation, examination and treatment Immobilization was achieved with a combination of 5mgs Etorphine and 50mgs Azaperone. Darting was done from a vehicle with the zebra becoming overwhelmed by the anaesthetics four minutes post darting. Examination revealed a tight plain wire round her neck causing tissue damage and slight sepsis. The wire was loosened at the point of the knot and pulled out. The resultant wound was debrided with Hydrogen peroxide and rinsed with clean water before being disinfected with Iodine. The zebra was also administered with Amoxicillin and Flunixin. Prognosis The anaesthetic was reversed and she rose up to join the rest of the zebra herd. Prognosis is good.
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Case 2 – 23rd September 2021 Elephant
Natural Causes
Mara Triangle
This young male was seen alone favouring his front right leg and hardly able to ambulate by Mara Triangle Conservancy Rangers. The Vet Unit found him alone in a swampy area and he resisted any attempt to be pushed out. He could hardly move and his right forelimb was severely swollen. He appeared to be in pain. Immobilisation, examination and management The elephant was darted from foot with 7mgs Etorphine which took full effect after eight minutes. He assumed right lateral recumbency and had to be repositioned to lie on his left side for better examination of the affected limb. Thorough examination revealed a simple but complete fracture on his proximal right front limb at the mid humerus. With such injuries carrying grave prognosis for such big animals, the team felt this elephant’s further suffering be stopped. Euthanasia was advised and immediately effected. A post-mortem carried out after euthanasia confirmed the earlier diagnosis, with complete fracture of mid humerus and displacement of bones observed. There was also severe bleeding and muscle damage at the site of the fracture. Both tusks were removed and handed over to Mara Triangle Security team for accounting and forwarding to KWS stores.
Case 3 – 25th September 2021 Cheetah
Human-Wildlife Conflict
Olkiombo, Masai Mara NR
This male cheetah was seen by visitors who notified the Mobile Veterinary Unit that the cheetah was injured. He was found hiding in long grass shying away from people. His right hind leg had a penetrating wound just above the hock joint. He also had a small wound on the distal medial surface of his left thigh. Immobilisation, examination and treatment He was immobilised with 1.6mgs Medetomidine hydrochloride and 130mgs Ketamine hydrochloride. Darting was done from a vehicle with the drugs taking twelve minutes to take full effect. In addition, a small dose of Benzo diazepam was given to the cheetah to calm him and further relax the muscles.Examination revealed a 2-3 day old injury suspected to have been caused by spearing. The spear severed the gastrocnemius muscle, damaging the hamstring muscles. It exited, hitting the left limb just above the hock. This was likely a conflict case given that the area borders community settlements. Both wounds were cleaned with water then disinfected with Iodine before the severed muscles were reattached with polyglactin absorbable suture. Cloxacillin antibiotic ointment was infused into the wound and the suture line then the skin was sutured closed. In addition the cheetah received long acting Amoxicillin antibiotics to stop sepsis. Prognosis Favourable. The security team will monitor him, and he has a male partner who should help him with hunting
Case 4 – 25th September 2021 Elephant
Spear
Siana Conservancy
This young bull was seen in a community area by KWS, Siana Conservancy and Olarro Conservancy Rangers. They reported that the young bull was hardly moving and was holed up in a thicket with injuries on both hind legs. His left knee was heavily swollen with a big wound on the outer surface. His right hip had a gaping wound. He had another septic wound on the cranial aspect of his right hind foot. He could not use the left hind leg and he struggled to support himself with the right hind leg which was severely injured at the hip. Immobilisation, examination and treatment He was darted from foot with 8mgs Etorphine. He did not move even when darted. This elephant was in very poor body condition. Examination revealed a penetrating spear wound to his left knee causing severe damage to the joint structures and sepsis and detachment of the joint. The joint capsule and surrounding structures, including the ligaments, were all damaged. The right hind foot had a septic spear wound. To check on the other limb, the bull was gently turned over. The hip injury was relatively fresh, severe and also caused by spearing. The joint was damaged and there was a transverse fracture of the femoral head. Prognosis His prognosis was considered grave and the team decided to stop his further suffering by advising euthanasia.
Case 5 – 26th September 2021 Zebra
Snare
Mara Triangle
This zebra with a snare round his neck, was seen by Mara Triangle Rangers based at Ngiro Are sector. The Vet Unit found the zebra alone, isolated and in great pain. The cable snare was tight round the neck and entangled his left hind leg causing severe injuries on both neck and the leg.
Immobilisation, examination and treatment Restraint was achieved by use of 6mgs Etorphine hydrochloride and 60mgs Azaperone tartarate. Darting was done from a vehicle with the drugs taking full effect after four minutes. Examination revealed a tight snare round his neck entangling his left hind leg. This was a cable wire causing severe injuries. It could have been in place for more than one week. The wounds were septic and infested with maggots. The wire was cut loose and removed. All necrotic debris was removed with Hydrogen peroxide. All maggots were removed manually and the wounds disinfected with Iodine. The zebra was also given Amoxicillin antibiotics, Flunixin meglumine anti-inflammatories and Ivermectin parasiticide. Prognosis The anaesthetic was reversed and he woke up two minutes after reversal and walked away. Prognosis is good.
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Case 6 – 27th September 2021 Elephant
Arrow
Mara Triangle
This big bull was seen by Mara Triangle Rangers limping on his front left limb. The Vet Unit found this bull in a small thicket in a swampy area. There was whitish discharge on the lateral aspect of the left carpal joint. Immobilisation, examination and treatment Immobilization was achieved with 17mgs Etorphine delivered through a 3ml dan-inject dart. Darting was done from a vehicle as he was being pushed out of the thicket into the open. It took eight minutes for the drugs to take full effect by which time this elephant was already in an open area. A small injury discharging scanty pus was seen on the lateral aspect of his left carpus. Scanning with a metal detector was positive for a metallic foreign object and probing revealed a deeply seated arrowhead right inside the joint. After a long struggle, the barbed arrowhead was finally retrieved but luckily was not poisoned. The wound was lavaged with clean water then disinfected with Iodine. Cloxacillin ointment was introduced into the wound then the elephant was given Clindamycin and Amoxicillin antibiotics and Flunixin meglumine anti-inflammatories. Prognosis Prognosis is good for a full recovery.
Case 7 – 27th September 2021 Elephant
Arrow
Mara Triangle
This big bull was seen by Mara Triangle Rangers limping on his front left limb. The Vet Unit found this bull in a small thicket in a swampy area. There was whitish discharge on the lateral aspect of the left carpal joint. Immobilisation, examination and treatment Immobilization was achieved with 17mgs Etorphine delivered through a 3ml dan-inject dart. Darting was done from a vehicle as he was being pushed out of the thicket into the open. It took eight minutes for the drugs to take full effect by which time this elephant was already in an open area. A small injury discharging scanty pus was seen on the lateral aspect of his left carpus. Scanning with a metal detector was positive for a metallic foreign object and probing revealed a deeply seated arrowhead right inside the joint. After a long struggle, the barbed arrowhead was finally retrieved but luckily was not poisoned. The wound was lavaged with clean water then disinfected with Iodine. Cloxacillin ointment was introduced into the wound then the elephant was given Clindamycin and Amoxicillin antibiotics and Flunixin meglumine anti-inflammatories. Prognosis Prognosis is good for a full recovery.