SWT/KWS Mt Kenya Mobile Veterinary Report for June 2021

SWT/KWS MT KENYA MOBILE VETERINARY UNIT JUNE 2021

Introduction

15 Cases in June

7 Poaching Cases

9 Rhino Cases

June Report by Dr. Domnic Mijele During the month of June 2021, the Mt Kenya Wildlife Veterinary unit attended to wildlife cases that required urgent veterinary intervention in the Laikipia ecosystem and Mt. Kenya region.

Some of the wildlife veterinary cases attended to included treatment of an adult male White rhino at Solio Wildlife Conservancy, treatment of a sub-adult White rhino at Lewa Wildlife Conservancy, treatment of an adult female White rhino at Ol Jogi Conservancy, treatment of a sub-adult male elephant at Loisaba Wildlife Conservancy, desnaring and treatment of an adult female Rothschild giraffe at Mwea National Park, post-mortem examination of an adult female White rhino at Solio Wildlife conservancy among other cases as highlighted in the report below.

Acknowledgement We acknowledge Sheldrick Wildlife Trust (SWT) for their continued support that has enabled the Mt Kenya wildlife veterinary unit team to respond promptly and offer the required treatment to all cases that required intervention.

SWT/KWS Mount Kenya Mobile Vet Unit Treatment Locations June 2021

Case Details Date

Species

Area Found

1-Jun-21

Rhino White

Solio Ranch

Poaching Postmortem

Both the rear and front horns had been chopped off by a sharp object

Poaching Death

2-Jun-21

Rhino White

Solio Ranch

Natural Causes

Several lacerative wounds after a fight with another bull

Successfully Treated

4-Jun-21

Rhino White

Lewa Conservancy

Natural Causes

A fracture adjacent to the left stiffle joint. It was dehydrated with poor body condition

Prognosis Poor

6-Jun-21

Giraffe

Mwea NR

Snared

A wire snare above the carpal joint of the right forelimb causing a deep wound

Successfully Treated

7-Jun-21

Rhino White

Lewa Conservancy

Postmortem

It had a fractured knee that was treated twice. It was unable to move and later succumbed

Died

8-Jun-21

Bongo

Mount Kenya NR

Natural Causes

The abscess had accumulated a lot of pus and was located on the left thigh muscles

Successfully Treated

8-Jun-21

Zebra

Laikipia Environs

Snared

The zebra had a traumatic wound on its right forelimb

Successfully Treated

8-Jun-21

Zebra

Laikipia Environs

Snared

Had a wire snare on its left hind leg which had created a traumatic wound

Successfully Treated

9-Jun-21

Rhino White

Meru NP

Natural Causes

There was a small abrasion wound on the area of the right forelimb

Prognosis Poor

10-Jun-21

Rhino White

Meru NP

Natural Causes

A septic wound on the medial side of the limb at the level of the elbow joint

Successfully Treated

10-Jun-21

Rhino Black

Ol Pejeta Conservancy

Postmortem

Hypovolemic shock due to massive internal hemorrhage caused by another rhino

Died

10-Jun-21

Elephant

Loisaba Conservancy

Bullet Wound

A septic wound on the left forelimb suspected to be a gunshot wound

Prognosis Poor

13-Jun-21

White Rhino

Ol Jogi Conservancy

Natural Causes

A penetrating wound to the perineum, approximately 15cm in depth

Successfully Treated

23-Jun-21

Elephant

Laikipia Conservancy

Bullet Wound

Injury to the right forelimb most likely caused by a bulet

Successfully Treated

23-Jun-21

Rhino White

Solio Ranch

Bullet Wound

A bullet wound broke the fourth rib, pierced the left lungs and pierced through the heart

Poaching Death

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Reason for Intervention

Outcome

Case 1 – 1st June 2021 White Rhino

Poaching Post-mortem

Solio Wildlife Conservancy

An adult male White rhino was found dead in Solio Wildlife Conservancy, near Twiga plains.

Post-mortem Findings The carcass was about 7 days old and most of the organs had been scavenged by carnivores. Both the rear and front horns had been chopped off by a sharp object. There was a patch of blood about 5m from the carcass, believed to be the original spot where the rhino was attacked before it staggered and dropped dead. There was a rusted file near the front legs and a sheath on the ground. There were more than 10 stab wounds on both the left and right sides of the abdomen. There was a deep stab wound on the left flank of the abdomen that extended into the abdominal cavity and another below the arm-pit that extended into the thoracic cavity near the heart. All the wounds penetrated the abdominal and thoracic cavities. The first two ribs on the left side were broken and the third was partially broken. The radio-carpal joint of the left forelimb was completely detached, the ligaments torn and flexed freely during manipulation. The affected joint also had pus and myonecrosis of the surrounding muscles. It was confirmed that the leg was dysfunctional and atrophied before death.

Cause of Death The rhino was likely recumbent and injured due to a fight with another rhino. It was then attacked and stabbed to death by humans whilst it was weak and the horns removed.

Case 2 – 2nd June 2021 White Rhino

Natural Causes

Solio Wildlife Conservancy

A male adult white rhino was reported to have several lacerative wounds on the face around the eye region after it had fought with another bull. The bull appeared to be in pain and was hardly feeding.

Immobilisation, examination and treatment The rhino was immobilised with 6mgs Etorphine combined with 80mgs Azaperone. The animal went down on sternal recumbency after 7 minutes then was moved to left lateral recumbency. 10mgs Butorphanol was injected to improve respiration as soon as the animal was anaesthetized.

The rhino had several bilateral lacerative wounds on the face around the eye and head region. The left eye lid was swollen and lacerated. The eyeballs were intact though the right eyeball was slightly sunken. The White rhino was treated with Dexamethasone and Amoxicillin administered intraconjuctivally and intramuscularly. The lacerations were then sprayed with Oxytetracycline spray.

Prognosis The prognosis was good because the eyeballs were still intact.

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Case 3 – 4th June 2021 White Rhino

Natural Causes

Lewa Wildlife Conservancy

The sub-adult white rhino was lame on its left hind limb. It was unable to move due to the pain.

Immobilisation, examination and treatment The rhino was immobilised with 2.5mgs Etorphine combined with 40mgs Azaperone placed in a 2ml dart fitted with a 2.0×60mm plain needle. Darting was done from a vehicle using a Dan-inject compressed CO2 dart gun. The animal went down on lateral recumbency after 5 minutes. 10mgs Butorphanol was injected via the ear vein to stimulate breathing immediately the animal was anaesthetized.

The rhino had a fracture adjacent to the left stiffle joint. It was dehydrated with poor body condition. The rhino was administered with Flunixine meglumine, Amoxicillin and Phenylbutazone and sprayed with Oxytetracycline spray.

Prognosis Anaesthesia was reversed with 24mgs Diprenorphine Hcl and 100mgs Naltrexone through the ear vein.

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Case 4 – 6th June 2021 Giraffe

Snare

Mwea National Reserve

Security Rangers from the Mwea National Park reported a female adult Rothschild giraffe with a snare on its right front leg. The snare had cut through the soft tissue and created a deep wound around the leg, but the bone was still intact. The giraffe had difficulties walking due to the pain inflicted by the wire.

Immobilisation, examination and treatment The giraffe was darted from a vehicle with 15mgs Etorphine and 50mgs Azaperone.

The giraffe was found to have a wire snare above the carpal joint of the right forelimb. The snare had caused a deep wound circumscribing the area above the carpal joint. The wire snare was cut off with a wire cutter then the wound was cleaned with water, debrided with 10% Hydrogen peroxide, disinfected with tincture of Iodine and sprayed with Oxytetracycline spray. The giraffe was then administered with Flunixine meglumine and Amoxicillin. Blood samples were collected from the jugular vein using a20ml syringe with an 18 gauge needle for further laboratory analysis.

Prognosis Prognosis was good as the snare was removed and there was no injury to the bones, tendons or the nerves. .

Case 5 – 7th June 2021 White Rhino

Post-mortem

Lewa Wildlife Conservancy

This was a sub adult male White rhino that had been treated twice with no improvement. It had a fracture at the knee joint that was quite swollen and painful. The animal was unable to move and later succumbed due to pain, starvation and dehydration.

Post-mortem Findings A complete bone fracture was found adjacent and distal to the left knee joint. Next to the fracture was a septic wound with pus.

Tissue samples from the heart, lungs, kidney, caecum, small and large intestines were collected for further laboratory analysis.

Cause of Death The animal died of prolonged pain, severe dehydration and starvation.

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Case 6 – 8th June 2021 Bongo

Natural Causes

Mount Kenya Wildlife Conservancy

The mountain bongo was reported by the Mt. Kenya wildlife conservancy team to have an abscess on the left thigh muscles.

Immobilisation, examination and treatment The bongo was chemically immobilised with 4mgs Etorphine combined with 40mgs Azaperone placed in a 2ml dart fitted with a 2.0×40mm collared needle. Darting was done on foot using a Dan-inject compressed CO2 dart gun. The animal went down on lateral recumbency after 5 minutes.

The abscess had accumulated a lot of pus and was located on the left thigh muscles. It was disinfected with surgical spirit, shaved then lanced and all the pus pressed out. It was properly cleaned and debrided with 10% Hydrogen peroxide and flushed with tincture of Iodine several times.

The animal was also treated topically with Opticlox eye ointment and Oxytetracycline spray. The bongo was also administered with Amoxicillin and Dexamethasone intramuscularly.

Prognosis Prognosis is good. .

Case 7 – 8th June 2021 Zebra

Snare

Endana Conservancy, Laikipia

Reports were made from the Endana community of a limping zebra probably caused by a wire snare.

Immobilisation, examination and treatment Chemical immobilization was done with 4mgs of Etorphine combined with 40mgs Azaperone placed in a 2ml dart fitted with a 2.0×40mm collared needle. Darting was done from a vehicle using a Dan-inject compressed CO2 dart gun. The animal went down on lateral recumbency after few minutes.

The zebra had a traumatic wound on its right forelimb that was treated with topical antibiotics and antiinflammatories. The wound was cleaned with water, debrided with 10% Hydrogen peroxide and disinfected with tincture of Iodine and sprayed with Oxytetracycline.

Prognosis The anaesthesia was reversed using 24mgs of Diprenorphine Hcl and the animal rose up after 2 minutes feeling much relieved.

Case 8 – 8th June 2021 Zebra

Snare

Endana, Laikipia Environs

The Endana community reported a limping common zebra due to a wire snare on its left forelimb.

Immobilisation, examination and treatment The zebra was immobilised with 4mgs of Etorphine combined with 40mgs Azaperone placed in a 2ml dart fitted with a 2.0×40mm collared needle. Darting was done from a vehicle using a Dan-inject compressed CO2 dart gun. The animal went down on lateral recumbency after few minutes.

The zebra had a wire snare on its left hind leg that created a traumatic wound hence interfering with normal movement. The wound was cleaned with water, debrided with 10% Hydrogen peroxide, disinfected with tincture of Iodine and finally sprayed with Oxytetracycline. The animal was also administered Amoxicillin.

Blood was collected from the jugular vein using 20ml syringe with an 18-gauge needle. Blood samples were placed in EDTA and plain blood tubes for laboratory analysis.

Prognosis The anaesthetic was reversed intravenously with 24mgs Diprenorphine. The animal rose after 2 minutes. .

Case 9 – 9th June 2021 White Rhino

Natural Causes

Meru National Park

The female white rhino was in the company of a male calf and was walking with a limping gait of the left forelimb.

Immobilisation, examination and treatment The rhino was immobilized with 5mg Etorphine and 80mg Azaperone. The drug took effect after 5 minutes and the rhino went down on right lateral recumbency. 10mgs of Butorphanol was administered through the ear vein to help improve the respiration.

The leg was examined and there was a small abrasion wound on the area of the right forelimb. This was cleaned with 10% Hydrogen Peroxide and then flushed with Iodine and a topical spray of Oxytetracycline (Alamycin®) applied. The limbs were flexed to determine the integrity of the bones and there was no fracture. However, on manipulation of the left forelimb there was noticeable reaction to pain.

Other treatment included intramuscular injections of Phenylbutazone and of Amoxicillin to cover for pain and counter secondary infections that may arise.

Prognosis The prognosis was guarded due to the possibility of arthritis.

Case 10 – 10th June 2021 White Rhino

Natural Causes

Meru National Park

The female sub-adult white rhino was reported by the Meru National Park team to be limping on the right forelimb.

Immobilisation, examination and treatment The animal was immobilised with 3mgs Etorphine combined with 40mgs Azaperone placed in a 2ml dart fitted with a 2.0×60mm plain needle. Darting was done on foot using a Dan-inject compressed CO2 dart gun. The animal went down on right lateral recumbence after 5 minutes. 10mgs of Butorphanol was injected via the ear vein to stimulate breathing immediately the animal was down.

On closer assessment it was confirmed that she had a septic wound on the medial side of the limb at the level of the elbow joint. The wound was cleaned and debrided with 10% Hydrogen peroxide then coated with green clay.

Prognosis Following successful treatment, the rhino was rolled back onto sternal recumbency and reversed using 100mg of Naltrexone in combination with 24mg Diprenorphine through the ear vein. A concurrent dose of 100mg Naltrexone was administered intramuscularly to avoid the re-narcotization effect. The rhino was up within a very short time and walked off into the bushes to recover. Prognosis is good.

Case 11 – 10th June 2021 Black Rhino

Post-mortem

Ol Pejeta Wildlife Conservancy

A Black rhino calf was reported to have been found dead. It was previously seen with his mother.

Post-mortem Findings On opening of the carcass there was massive internal haemorrhage. The lungs were intensely inflamed and congested. It had interstitial pneumonia.

Cause of Death The immediate cause of death was hypovolemic shock due to the massive internal haemorrhage caused by another rhino. .

Case 12– 10th June 2021 Elephant

Bullet Wound

Loisaba Wildlife Conservancy

There was a report of a lame sub-adult female elephant with bullet wound on its left forelimb. The animal was in a lot of pain and could not walk with ease.

Immobilisation, examination and treatment The elephant was darted from a vehicle with 15mgs Etorphine and went down on lateral recumbency after a few minutes. It was immediately blind-folded and kept cool by pouring water on the body.

The elephant had a septic wound on the medial side of the radial bone of the left forelimb suspected to be a gunshot wound. The penetrating wound was about 15cm deep and fractured bone segments were found in the wound. Exudates and necrotic debris were pressed out and the wound cleaned with water then debrided with 10% Hydrogen peroxide and tincture of Iodine. Broad spectrum antibiotic pessaries were inserted into the wound, green clay applied before it was sprayed with Oxytetracycline spray. The animal was also treated with Amoxicillin and Flunixine meglumine.

Prognosis The animal had guarded prognosis due to the forelimb bone fracture.

Case 13– 16th June 2021 White Rhino

Natural Causes

Ol Jogi Conservancy

The rhino was reported to have a wound on its rear side adjacent to the vagina.

Immobilisation, examination and treatment The rhino was darted from a helicopter with 3.5mgs Etorphine and 40mgs Azaperone. The animal went down on lateral recumbency after a few minutes. It was immediately blind folded and injected with 25mgs Butorphanol to boost respiration and the body temperature was cooled by pouring water on it.

The penetrating wound, located at the perineum, was approximately 15cm in depth with a blind ending and had started the healing process. A couple of laceration wounds were also observed beneath the left shoulder. The wound was first washed with clean water then debrided with 10% Hydrogen peroxide and disinfected with tincture of Iodine. Broad spectrum antibiotic pessaries were inserted into the wound then green clay applied before it was sprayed with Oxytetracycline spray. The animal was also treated with Amoxicillin and Dexamethasone administered intramuscularly.

Prognosis Due to the timely detection of the wound and intervention the prognosis was good.

Case 14– 23rd June 2021 Elephant

Bullet Wound

Laikipia Nature Conservancy

The elephant was reported by the security team at Laikipia Nature Conservancy to have right forelimb lameness. They were suspecting the lameness to have been caused by a gunshot wound.

Immobilisation, examination and treatment Chemical immobilization was done with 16mgs Etorphine. The elephant was darted from foot using a Daninject compressed CO2 dart gun. The animal went down on right lateral recumbency after about 5 minutes.

The elephant had a small shallow penetrating wound on the left forelimb around the triceps muscles. There were also a number of laceration wounds around the shoulder and lower abdomen. The right forelimb was dislocated above the metacarpal joint. The wound was washed with clean water, then debrided with 10% Hydrogen peroxide and disinfected with Iodine. The elephant was also administered with Flunixine meglumine, Dexamethasone and Phenylbutazone to manage pain and inflammation.

Prognosis The prognosis was good as the wound and dislocation were detected and managed in time.

Case 15 – 23rd June 2021 White Rhino

Bullet Wound

Solio Ranch

The adult female white rhino carcass was found lying on left lateral recumbency It was about 12 hours old and both the horns had been chopped off with a sharp object.

Post-mortem Findings It had fresh blood oozing from the nostrils and mouth and dry faeces stuck to the anus. There were traces of fresh blood on the grass along the route of the rhino before it dropped dead. The crime scene was cordoned and inspected by KWS investigation officers. The carcass was turned and a deep penetrating fresh wound oozing with blood was found on the left side of the shoulder region. This was a suspected bullet wound that broke the fourth rib, pierced the left lungs and pierced through the right and left ventricles of the heart. It hit the third rib on the right side where it was lodged. There was a large pool of blood in the thoracic and abdominal cavities caused by intense haemorrhage from the heart and lungs. The rhino was in the 3rd trimester of pregnancy, and a female foetus was recovered from its uterus.

Cause of Death Died of hypovolemic shock due to extensive internal haemorrhage from the injured heart and lungs