SWT/KWS MERU MOBILE VETERINARY UNIT APRIL 2021
Introduction
11 Cases in April
6 Poaching Cases
4 Elephant Cases
April Report by Dr Ndambiri Ephantus It is the beginning of the rainy season. Fauna and flora are all adorning brightly which is conducive for their survival. Various interventions were carried out from translocation to treatment. Dikdik were killed for game meat and elephants for their tusks. Every effort has been made to bring culprits to justice and deter them from illegal activities. Acknowledgement We wish to sincerely acknowledge the enormous sponsorship of the Vet Unit by The Sheldrick Wildlife Trust and its partners. It is this assistance which forms the backbone of the Units’ operation. This is realized through timely interventions which are carried out thus wild animal sufferings are alleviated. All other conservation partners are acknowledged for offering their support. It was of great help in achieving the Units’ goal. Thank you.
Case Details Date
Species
Area Found
Reason for Intervention
Outcome
7-Apr-21
Giraffe
Long'icharo island
Relocation
Forage scarcity and thus poor health due to raising water levels reducing browse
Task Successful
14-Apr-21
Antelope
Tsiekuru Station
Poaching Postmortem
Thirteen full carcasses were presented for examination
Poaching Death
15-Apr-21
Antelope
Tsiekuru Station
Poaching Postmortem
Expert report was requested by KWS regarding bush meat
Poaching Death
16-Apr-21
Elephant
Imenti Forest
HWC
The burn wounds on the elephant trunk are indicative of electrocution
HWC Death
16-Apr-21
Other
Garissa
HWC
The warden observed deaths of crocodiles at the sewage plant in Garissa
HWC Death
18-Apr-21
Other
Meru NP
Postmortem
A goat died in a holding facility situated in KWS HQ for detained illegal grazing animals
Died
25-Apr-21
Elephant
Imenti Forest
Spear
Elephant carcass found with missing tusks required a post-mortem
Poaching Death
25-Apr-21
Elephant
Imenti Forest
Poaching Postmortem
It was on right lateral recumbence with both tusks missing
Poaching Death
28-Apr-21
Elephant
Imenti Forest
Postmortem
There was no obvious body injury noticed following thorough examination
Died
29-Apr-21
Zebra
Meru Envions
Natural Causes
He had a raw wound under the left armpit from a failed lion attack
Successfully Treated
29-Apr-21
Other
Meru NP
Natural Causes
The canine was reported to have swollen right testicle
Successfully Treated
SWT/KWS Meru Mobile Vet Unit Treatment Locations April 2021
Case 1 – 7th – 10th April 2021 Giraffe
Relocation
Long’icharo Island, Lake Baringo
Endangered Rothschild giraffes (2 males and 6 females) were reintroduced in 2011 to Long’icharo Island of Lake Baringo from Soysambu. Lake Baringo is their native home range which is why they are often called Baringo giraffe. Due to heavy rains experienced over the years, the water level of the Lake has continued to rise reducing the available browse land resulting into forage scarcity and thus poor health. It was decided to move them across the lake to a community-run giraffe sanctuary on the mainland of Ruko Community Conservancy. This has been in partnership of NRT, KWS and Save Giraffes Now- a nonprofit US Organization. Background Initially, a passive translocation method was tested, and the giraffes were habituated to board the barge and translocation crate by providing supplements such as horse pellets, lucerne and acacia pods inside the barge. This would lure giraffes to board freely. This method was very safe as risks associated with immobilization of these animals in such a challenging terrain were evaded. Unfortunately, it was taking too long for the giraffes adapt and hierarchy played a major role as the dominate giraffes fought for the supplements supplied. This kept others, particularly the low ranking, completely out of the barge and they stopped having interest in the supplements. This method has successfully helped move four individuals in the past, but after more than one and a half years of hard work. To speed up the rescue exercise and save the remaining four individuals from the devastating effects of poor nutrition and heavy supplementation, active translocation was implemented.
Translocation Exercise Four candidates had to be moved by darting them so that they could be blindfolded and walked into the standby barge positioned at the eastern side of the island. There were risks factors to be considered, such as difficult terrain, age disparities, including a <4-month-old calf, poor health status, immobilising drugs risk, high temperature and the lake tides. However, all of these were overcome through proper planning, strategizing and debriefing of the team.
Each giraffe was immobilised with a combination of Etorphine and Azaperone given at amounts according to their size. Once the drugs took effect and the animal was immobilised, the anaesthetic was reversed, and two ropes were anchored around the neck: one as a leading rope in front and the other as a breaking rope from behind. They were then walked to the barge and the leading rope passed through to guide the giraffe inside, then more ropes to the side to ensure the animal didn’t stray into the lake, and for the more difficult individuals, another rope to push from behind. Once fully inside the barge the trigger activated to drop a canvas to blind the entrance then two strong metallic bars were put in place. All ropes and the blindfold were then removed. The barge was secured with ropes and anchored to the speed boat. Once the barge landed on the mainland, the metal bars were released and the exit cleared and the giraffes walked out safely.
Conclusion and Recommendation The exercise was a 100% success, all 4 giraffes were actively translocated and joined the 4 earlier passively translocated. The health status of the four previously released had improved tremendously.
Case 2 – 14th April 2021 Dikdik
Poaching Post-mortem
Tsiekuru Police Station, Meru Environs
An expert report was requested by KWS Kora Station Warden regarding bush meat which was presented at Tsiekuru Police Station. The bush meat had been found following the arrest of suspected poachers who had gained illegal entry into Kora National Park which is a protected area and were assumed to have conducted their poaching there.
Examination •
Thirteen full carcasses were presented for examination, all together approximately 50kg in weight
•
There were 8 female carcasses, 3 of which were not skinned or decapitated. The remaining 5 were all skinned and 3 had been decapitated. Some had already been eviscerated and/or had limbs removed. There were 5 male carcasses, and all had been skinned. Four of them had also been decapitated and one of the decapitated male had its’ lower hindlimbs while others were missing. Of the five carcasses, four had been eviscerated. The carcasses were fairly fresh approximated to be between 24 and 48 hours old as they had started
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Conclusion The carcasses constituted red meat destined for commercial purposes. Carcasses were in different stages of processing thus accounting for skinned, eviscerated, decapitated and delimbed.
Case 3 – 15th April 2021 Dikdik
Poaching Post-mortem
Tsiekuru Police Station, Meru Environs
An expert report was requested by KWS Kora Station Warden regarding bush meat which was presented at Tsiekuru Police Station. The bush meat had been found during the arrest of suspected poachers who had gained illegal entry into Kora National Park which is a protected area.
Examination •
Ten and a half carcasses were presented for examination, all were fully “dressed”; skinned, eviscerated and decapitated
• • • •
There were also five heads, four heads had horns (male) and one had no horns (female) The carcasses had been cut into halves, so there were 21 halves The carcass were fresh; approximately less than 24 hours old All were approximately 45kg
Conclusion The carcasses constituted red meat destined for commercial purposes. Skinning had been done and internal organs (visceral) removed thus said to have been eviscerated. The dikdik is a small antelope that lives in the bushlands of eastern and southern Africa. It stands about 30-40 cm at shoulder, 50-70cm long, weigh 3-6 kilograms. It is commonly hunted for the bushmeat trade, usually by setting small snares along paths.
Case 4 – 16th April 2021 Elephant
Human-wildlife Conflict
North Imenti Forest
An adult elephant approximately 25 years old weighing over two and half tone was reported by Warden KWS Meru Station to have been found dead. It was within Themba sub location in Imenti North subcounty of Meru county. A post-mortem was requested to be carried out to ascertain the cause of death.
Examination • •
The carcass was on left lateral recumbence and less than 24 hours old There was no obvious injuries observed on the whole carcass or signs of struggle at the scene
•
The carcass was lying perpendicular to a wire fence and examination of the face revealed a linear burn wound on the trunk. Half of the trunk was on the other side of the fence, under the wire A few meters away from the scene of the elephant death, a dead rat was discovered lying on the same wire fence with linear burn wounds on its’ belly fur
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Conclusion and Cause of Death The position of the elephant in reference to the wire fence depicts that mammal was approaching the fence in order to cross over from farming land back to the forest. This relates well with the position of the dead rat which died while on top of the fence wire when it crawled over. Lack of struggle signs at both elephant and rat scenes of death depicts instant death consistent with electrocution, confirmed by the burn wounds.
Case 5 – 16th April 2021 Crocodile
Human-wildlife Conflict
Garissa
KWS Garissa Warden reported crocodile deaths at the sewage plant in Garissa, which is managed by Garissa Water and Sewerage Company (GAWASCO). There are 7 sewage pods each the size of a football pitch. Observations The Vet team, KWS Warden and GAWASCO representative visited the plant and walked through the pods. A total of 15 dead crocodiles were seen in and out of the various pods and ranging in length from 1-2 meters. Some assumed normal posture while others were upside down and were not later than 1 week old. Due to heavy autolysis no viable sample was manageable. One live croc about 1.5meters long was seen healthy in one of the pods. There was evidence of human activity including fishing nets in several pods and several fishermen groups fishing for tilapia as well as charcoal burning and grazing. All fishermen were rounded up, nets confiscated and caught fish returned to the pod. They were informed of the health dangers associated with fishing in this environment then instructed to keep out as security will be increased and arrests made. Conclusion and Recommendations The GAWASCO should fence the facility and arrest trespassers. An ecological study on the suitability of wildlife/domestic animals’ grazing and a census to establish how many crocodiles are within the Plant should be conducted. An Outreach Program will help sensitize the public on the health hazards associated with carrying out any livelihood activity such as herding, fishing, swimming within the Plant precinct.
Case 6 – 16th April 2021 Goat
Post-mortem
Meru National Park
A juvenile male goat died in a holding facility situated in KWS Kinna Headquarters. The facility is used by KWS to hold domestic animals which have been detained due to illegal entry and unpermitted grazing in a protected area.
Examination •
The carcass was found on left lateral recumbence inside the sleeping quarters. It had fair body condition but dry mucus discharge from both nostrils. It was less than 24 hours old thus very fresh
• • •
No external injury, skin discontinuity or bone inconsistencies was noted There was about 200ml red tinged fluid inside the thoracic cavity and droplets in the trachea The anterior lobe of the right lung was distended with sero-fibrinous fluid. The whole of the right lungs surface had strands of creamy gelatinous white attachments to the ribcage and diaphragm. The rest of the ribcage depicted different degrees of congestion while the left lung was highly congested The pericardial sac had straw coloured fluid and creamy gelatinous white strands between the sac and heart muscles. There were various types of hemorrhages on the heart muscles (myocardium).
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Cause of Death The post-mortem findings pointed to a respiratory infection possibly Contagious Caprine Pleuropneumonia.
Case 7 & 8 – 25th April 2021 Elephant
Spear/Poaching Post-mortem
North Imenti Forest
An adult male elephant approximately 25 years old weighing over two and half tone was reported dead by Senior Warden KWS Meru Station A postmortem was requested to be carried out to ascertain the cause of death. Another carcass at was found on our way out from the site of the first dead elephant. Post-mortem Carcass 1 • • • • •
The carcass was on left lateral recumbence and less than 48 hours old. There was massive facial disfigurement with dismembered trunk and missing tusks. The edges of the bony structures and bone chips had straight/sharp outlines The right stomach surface had red blackish colouration emanating from a punctured skin just behind the right scapular and about 25cms from the spine The skin puncture site had several incisions and exuded bloody tinged fluid with specks of ingesta (stomach content) and thin whitish grey worms about 3cms long. There was extinguished fire site about ten meters from the carcass
Post-mortem Carcass 2 • • •
The carcass was about two weeks old and massive autolysis had taken place It was on right lateral recumbence with both tusks missing and facial disfigurement was eminent depicting sharp bony edges as cut by a saw. Shrub sawing was witnessed within the vicinity A skin puncture site was located on the left scapular posteriorly and about 35cms from the spine. Several incisions on the skin puncture site were observed
Cause of death The hacking, puncturing, disfigurement and missing tusks are indicators that there was human involvement. A sharp object was used to inflict a deep penetrating wound to the shoulder area of the first carcass, most likely a spear which punctured the right lung and stomach causing massive bleeding from a torn aorta, lungs and associated internal structures. The skin incisions at the puncture site were made to retrieve the weapon. The findings of the second carcass correlates very well with the first case though it was in more advanced decomposition. The carcasses were 300m apart which also points to the same individual(s) involvement.
Case 9 – 28th April 2021 Elephant
Post-mortem
Lower Imenti Forest
An adult male elephant approximately 30 years old was found dead within a water catchment area in Imenti forest. The Vet Unit were requested to conduct a postmortem to ascertain the cause of death. Post-mortem • • •
The carcass was on left lateral recumbence and presumed to be less than 36 hours old. There was massive swelling of the carcass and the two tusks were present There was no obvious body injury noticed following thorough examination
• •
There were bloody exudates oozing from the mouth, anal region, penis, brisket and the ear. The limbs were flaccid and mobile upon rigor mortis test
Discussion and Cause of death The carcass was handled carefully as anthrax or poisoning was suspected. Impression smears were made and fixed with methanol and sent to the Laboratory to rule out anthrax as it is a zoonotic disease. KWS Security guarded the carcass to protect the tusks and prevent public exposure considering there are human activities allowed within the forest such as grazing, farming and beekeeping. Both laboratories ruled out bacillus rods indicating anthrax was not the cause of death. By the time anthrax was ruled out, no other samples could be collected so poisoning could not be confirmed therefore it is perceived as a natural death.
Case 10 – 29th April 2021 Zebra
Natural Causes
Meru Environs
This common zebra was reported by The Sheldrick Meru Rhino Sanctuary Fence Driver to the Vet Unit. The zebra was reported to have been isolated from others and spent a lot of time lying down. He inspected it and found that it had a raw wound under the left armpit.
Immobilisation, examination and treatment The candidate was found alone with no other zebras but some Grants gazelles were nearby. The left armpit had a raw wound causing slight lameness. Several skin wounds were evident on the left side of the neck, both flanks and under the belly, most likely caused by a failed lion attack. It was approached slowly using vehicle then darted with 6mgs Etorphine and 50mgs Azaperone. After running for about 300meters, it started stamping and went down on right lateral recumbence after four minutes. It was blindfolded for treatment. All wounds were debrided with Hydrogen Peroxide followed by tincture of Iodine. Green clay in the form of a wet paste was smeared liberally on the wound followed by Tetracycline wound spray. Systemically it was injected with 3000mgs Amoxicillin, 20mgs Dexamethasone and 20ml Multivitamin into different muscle sites. 8mgs of Ivermectin was administered under the skin as a dewormer. Prognosis Good as all wounds were not deep into the muscles
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Case 11 – 29th April 2021 Security Dog
Natural Causes
Meru National Park Rhino Sanctuary
This canine was reported to have swollen right testicle by the officer in-charge of the kennel. Immobilisation, examination and treatment The dog had a normal temperature of 38.8C. Demeanor was bright and appetite normal. Posture, particularly of the dog sitting and ambulation, both running and walking, showed no signs of discomfort.. There was no discharge from the penis. Palpation of the abdominal cavity and organs elicited no pain. The right popliteal lymph node was slightly swollen but the swollen testis had no signs of inflammation or infection such as heat or reddening. All the manipulation done during palpation were tolerated with no sign of pain or resistance. All vaccinations and other routine practices were up to date. 3mgs Dexamethasone inflammatory was administered to control the swelling. The handler will report any rise in temperature, which is to be taken twice daily, and report any further swelling if observed. A review was planned to be done after three days. Prognosis There was no systemic infection because of the normal temperature. The swelling of the right popliteal lymph node indicated a local infection within the site. This was attributed to the single swelling of the right testicle. Good for now. It will be revised accordingly following the review or any visit done before review.