SWT/KWS MERU MOBILE VETERINARY UNIT SEPTEMBER 2021
Introduction
6 Cases in September
2 Poaching Cases
83% Success
September Report by Dr. Ndambiri Ephantus September marks the dry month within the Meru Conservation Area coupled with strong winds. Cloud cover has been witnessed though, on several days which could be attributed to climate change. During the month, illegal human activities has primarily been snaring of animals for bushmeat. Two giraffes were de-snared successfully alleviating pain and suffering and preventing death due to the snares. Poachers are trapping both small and big game since one was meant for small game but ended up ensnaring giraffes’ limb while the one for large game was specifically for giraffe as it ensnared the neck. Human-wildlife conflict was also witnessed as both human and domestic animals scramble for essential resources with wildlife. Acknowledgement We earnestly commend The Sheldrick Wildlife Trust for impeccable sponsorship of the Vet Unit. This formed the heartbeat of the timely veterinary interventions offered throughout the period under review. All other partners including community who may have contributed in any small or big way to the achievement so far realized are dearly appreciated. God bless.
Case Details Date
Species
Area Found
Reason for Intervention
3-Sep-21
Rhino White
Solio Ranch
Natural Causes
It had several skin lacerations and a single penetrating wound on the prepuce. The left forelimb was lame
Prognosis Poor
6-Sep-21
Other
Meru NP
Natural Causes
Paws had friction bruises some yielding into abscesses and friction wounds
Successfully Treated
11-Sep-21
Lion
Isiolo
HWC
15-Sep-21
Giraffe
Meru NP
Snared
16-Sep-21
Giraffe
Meru NP
Snared
22-Sep-21
Lion
Buffalo Springs NR
Natural Causes
The Meru NP Problematic Animal Control Team had tried to catch lions that were preying on livestock for one year A braided snare around the right fetlock joint with 5m dragging behind which was being stepped and entangling other limbs A braided fence wire had hooked tightly at the base of the neck with another piece dangling down The right knee had a skin puncture wound which was 15cm deep and another 10cm deep wound into the thigh muscles likely caused by an oryx horn
Outcome
Task Successful Successfully Treated Successfully Treated Successfully Treated
SWT/KWS Meru Mobile Vet Unit Treatment Locations September 2021
Case 1 – 3rd September 2021 White Rhino
Natural Causes
Solio Ranch
This rhino was reported by Solio Rhino Rangers through the Senior Warden of the Aberdares to have been in a territorial fight in the night and had raw bleeding skin injuries. Immobilisation, examination and treatment It was darted with 4mgs Etorphine mixed with 70mgs Azaperone. It was uneasy therefore it had to be chased with a vehicle to facilitate darting. The dart landed on the upper perineum and the rhino was completely sedated in seven minutes assuming sternal recumbence. The aim was to quickly administer treatment and revive the animal. It was blindfolded and dowsed liberally with water to cool the body. It had skin lacerations on both flanks, upper and lower perineal area and ventral abdominal region. A single penetrating wound was found on the posterior aspect of the prepuce. The left forelimb was also lame. All lacerations were disinfected with Hydrogen Peroxide and Iodine then liberally covered with Tetracycline wound spray. Systemically it was injected with 30000mgs Tetracycline, 1000ml Flunixine and 30ml Vitamin B12. 20mgs Ivermectin was administered under the skin to act as an anthelmintic. Prognosis Prognosis was guarded as the rhino could not flight if challenged. It had already been fought and treated last month. Monitoring was advised and if fought again within a short time span, rescue will be recommended
Case 2 – 6th September 2021 Security Dog
Natural Causes
Meru National Park
The new canine deployed in Meru from Naivasha less than a month ago, started exercising the dogs to acclimatize to the new environment. After a week one of the dogs was reported to be lame.
Immobilisation, examination and treatment The paws had friction bruises, some yielding into abscesses and some into raw friction wounds. The temperature, demeanour and appetite were ok. The wounds had been caused by walking on presumably hot marram roads and bush tracks after the heat/sun of the day. All vaccinations and were up to date. The paws were dipped in Iodine and sprayed with Tetracycline, recommended to be repeated for a week and all exercises to be stopped until the dog recovers fully. It was also administered with 450mgs Amoxicillin, 6mgs Dexamethasone and 5mls of Cyanocobalamin. Prognosis The paw injuries will heal but will slow down the acclimatization process. The vet also recommended the bush around the kennels to be kept as low as possible, insecticide tsetse fly targets to be mounted within the vicinity of the kennels, regular immunizations with prophylactic drugs, fly repellent sprays to be applied regularly and tsetse fly repellent belts/harness/jackets which will prevent tsetse bites as witnessed with the previous four canines within the same facility which have succumbed to Trypanosomiasis.
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Case 3 – 11th - 15th September 2021 Lion
Human-Wildlife Conflict
Sericho, Isiolo
For the past year, the Meru National Park Problematic Animal Control team have been in hot pursuit of problematic lions that were preying on livestock. They have been hiding in bushes along the Ewaso river making trapping them very difficult. Collaring Exercise A site where 27 goats had been reportedly killed was chosen to try “call back” at night and lure the lions out of the thick forest for darting, but they didn’t show. The next night a lion, three lionesses and two jackals appeared but the lions ran off before they could be darted. They were very shy due to people presence and avoided any form of light. A trap was laid with live bait and a piece of meat, but this was also unsuccessful. The team tried the call back again, and 8 hyenas appeared but no lions. On the fourth day, the vehicle was hidden in the bush and covered with shrubs. Meat was tied on another shrub about 15m away so any lion could be darted under moonlight. With this technique, two lions appeared, and one male was successfully darted with 550mgs Ketamine and 10mgs Medetomidine. The darted male was retrieved and secured in one of the traps then transported to Meru National Park. Successful capturing of the remaining lions requires substantial time and evaluation of techniques. This population has been terrorized by herders making them extremely shy thus avoiding traps and artificial light; darting can only be done under natural light. A thermal detector could be very useful. Community awareness, predator proof bomas and devising deterrence methods such as automatic lighting on lion presence can help with coexistence.
Case 4 – 15th September 2021 Giraffe
Snare
Meru National Park
One of the Meru NP tour guides while guiding visitors came across a snared giraffe. He immediately informed the resident vet who responded instantaneously.
Immobilisation, examination and treatment The male giraffe had a braided wire snare around the right fetlock joint with a dangling piece about five meters long. It was being stepped on as it walked and entangled the other limbs. The giraffe was darted with 15mgs Etorphine and 25mgs Azaperone then roped to the ground when it begun star gazing after five minutes post darting. It was immediately blindfolded and the head held manually. The dart was retrieved from the right shoulder and the wound infiltrated with Cloxacillin ointment. There was no resultant traumatic wound despite the snare loop being tight though there was some swelling of the snared limb distally. The wire loop was severed with a wire cutter and taken off the limb. The giraffe was then administered 40mgs Dexamethasone and 20ml of Cyanocobalamin into different muscle sites. It was dowsed with cold water generously to keep it cool due to high ambient temperature. Prognosis Prognosis was good as there was no resultant traumatic wound.
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Case 5 – 16th September 2021 Giraffe
Snare
Meru National Park
An adult female giraffe was reported by the Sheldrick Fence Team in Meru to have snare around the neck.
Immobilisation, examination and treatment She was found browsing with another female. The braided fence wire had been improvised to act as snare. It had hooked tightly at the base of the neck with another piece dangling downward towards the hind limbs. The giraffe was very shy and ran away when approached. A vehicle chase ensued and a dart comprising of 15mgs Etorphine and 25mgs Azaperone was placed in the right thigh. It ran for five minutes after which it started to star gaze. While attempting to rope it, it tripped over a shrub and the team immediately moved in to manually hold the head to the ground and reverse the anaesthetic. There was a snare wound on the skin accompanied by oedema posteriorly due to strangulation. The snare was severed with a wire cutter and taken off the neck. A cold compress was applied to the swelling with a towel accompanied by a massage. Tetracycline wound spray was generously applied. It was injected with 7,500mgs Amoxicillin, 20ml Cyanocobalamin and 30mgs Dexamethasone at different muscle sites. Prognosis Favourable prognosis as there was no grievous injury apart from the oedema and friction. skin wound.
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Case 6 – 22nd September 2021 Lion
Natural Causes
Buffalo Springs, Samburu
The lame lioness was spotted by Ewaso lion watchers who were with the Save the Elephant Field team.. The right limb had a skin break at the point of knee rostrally. Immobilisation, examination and treatment Sedation was achieved with 500mgs Ketamine and 10mgs Medetomidine. She was startled and walked about 15m before laying down. The lioness was completely immobilised after ten minutes after which she was blindfolded, retrieved from the thicket and placed on left lateral recumbence. The right knee had a skin puncture wound which was about 15cm heading ventrally and another straight into the thigh muscles caudally about 10cm deep. Probing using forceps revealed no foreign body. It was a flesh wound less than 36 hours old. Palpation and manipulation yielded no crepitation. Bony structure of the affected limb was sound. These wounds were thought to have been caused by an oryx horn during hunting. The wound was cleaned with 6% Hydrogen Peroxide and flushed with Iodine. The wound was then infiltrated with 1,000mg Enrofloxacin, packed with wet green clay and sprayed topically with Oxytetracycline (Alamycin) wound spray. An incision was made just above metatarsus to allow selfdrainage. Other treatments included: intramuscular injections of 1500ml Enrofloxacin, 30ml Cyanocobalamin, 250mg Flunixin Meglumine and a subcutaneous injection of 25mg Ivermectin.