SWT/KWS MT KENYA MOBILE VETERINARY UNIT FEBRUARY 2021
Introduction
7 Cases in February
2 Rhinos Translocated
4 Bongo Cases
February Report by Dr. Domnic Mijele During the month of February 2021, the Mt Kenya Wildlife Veterinary unit attended to many 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 a mountain bongo with a hoof injury and trimming of hoof over-growth, translocation of two male Southern white rhinos in Ol Pejeta Wildlife Conservancy, capture and relocation of a problem lioness in Ol jogi Conservancy and the rescue of an orphaned baby Oryx. Acknowledgement We greatly acknowledge the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust (SWT) for their continued support that has enabled the Mt Kenya veterinary unit team to respond promptly and offer treatment to all wildlife cases that required veterinary intervention during the month. This support has made it possible for the team to respond and save wildlife that required urgent veterinary attention without which they would not have survived.
Case Details Species
Area Found
07-Feb-21
Bongo
Mount Kenya NR
Technical Cases
07-Feb-21
Bongo
Mount Kenya NR
Natural Causes
14-Feb-21
Rhino White
Ol Pejeta Conservancy
Relocation
An adult female lioness was captured by and translocated out of the livestock ranch
Task Successful
The swelling was examined and determined to be an abscess
Successfully Treated
Date
Reason for Intervention
16-Feb-21
Lion
Solio Ranch
Human Wildlife Conflict
17-Feb-21
Bongo
Mount Kenya NR
Natural Causes
18-Feb-21
Oryx
Dol Dol Group Ranch
Rescue
20-Feb-21
Bongo
Mount Kenya NR
Technical Cases
The hoof on the left forelimb was found to be overgrown with a crack on it. This was determined to be the cause of the limping and discomfort There was a traumatic injury on the tip of the hoof of the left forelimb that was bleeding Two male, southern white rhinos were to be translocated from the White Rhino boma enclosure to the greater rhino conservation area
A orphaned Oryx was reported. The mother had apparently been attacked and killed by lions A bongo had broken from its enclosure to pursue a female on heat that was in another breeding group
Outcome Successfully Treated Successfully Treated Task Successful
Taken to Orphanage Successfully Treated
SWT/KWS Mount Kenya Mobile Vet Unit Treatment Locations February 2021
Case 1 – 7th February 2021 Bongo
Technical Case
Mount Kenya National Reserve
Mt. Kenya Wildlife Conservancy keepers reported a male bongo was carrying the left leg and not bearing any weight on it. It was decided that the animal was to be immobilized to determine the cause of the lameness. Immobilisation, examination and treatment The bongo was darted from foot with 4mg Etorphine combined with 40mg Azaperone, delivered using a DanInject CO2 rifle. The drug took effect after about 6 minutes and the animal went down on right lateral recumbency. Oxygen was supplemented intra-nasally. A blindfold was placed to prevent light stimulation. Once the animal was down, a thorough assessment was done to ascertain the cause of the lameness. The hoof on the left forelimb was found to be overgrown with a crack. The hoof was carefully trimmed using hoof cutters and filed to a level determined to be suitable. 2000mg Oxytetracycline was injected intramuscularly for antibiotic cover and 20mg Dexamethasone was administered intramuscularly to control pain and inflammation. 20mg Ivermectin was also administered subcutaneously for parasite control. Blood samples (EDTA and whole blood) were collected for bio-banking. Prognosis Prognosis is good and the animal improved after intervention.
Case 2 – 7th February 2021 Bongo
Natural Causes
Mount Kenya National Reserve
A female mountain bongo was reported to be limping on its left front leg by keepers at the Mt. Kenya Wildlife Conservancy. They reported that the animal was reluctant to bear weight on the limb. Immobilisation, examination and treatment The bongo was darted from foot with 4mg Etorphine combined with 40mg Azaperone, delivered using a DanInject® CO2 rifle. The drug took effect after about 7 minutes and the animal went down on left lateral recumbency. Oxygen was supplemented intra-nasally and a blindfold was placed to prevent light stimulation. Once the animal was down, a thorough assessment was done to determine the extent of the injury. There was a traumatic injury on the tip of the left forelimb hoof that was bleeding. The wound was debrided with 10% Hydrogen Peroxide, irrigated with Iodine, covered with Opticlox ointment and sprayed with Alamycin. 4000mg Oxytetracycline was injected intramuscularly for systemic antibiotic cover as well as 6mg Dexamethasone and 4000mg Phyenylbutazone for control of pain and inflammation. 20mg Ivermectin was also administered subcutaneously for parasite control. Prognosis The prognosis was favourable as the wound was not infected and the treatments will help in healing.
Case 3 – 14th February 2021 White Rhino
Relocation
Ol Pejeta Conservancy
Two 3-year-old, male, Southern white rhinos were to be translocated from the White rhino boma enclosure to the greater rhino conservation area in Ol Pejet to avoid them breeding with the females who are to be used as surrogates for the Northern White Rhino breeding project. This is part of a larger project aimed at conservation efforts of the endangered Northern White Rhino species. Rhino 1 (Barry – 3.4-year-old male) Rhino 2: (Bubbles, 4-year old male) Immobilisation, examination and relocation Barry was darted and relocated first and once he was released, Bubbles was darted and relocated. Both rhinos were darted from foot with 4mg Etorphine hydrochloride combined with 60mg Azaperone tartate delivered using a Dan-Inject CO2 rifle. Ataxia was seen within 2 minutes and the animals went down in 4 minutes. Once down, the animal was blindfolded to prevent light stimulation. 20mg Butorphanol was immediately administered intravenously to stabilize cardio-respiratory parameters. The average respiratory rate was 12 breaths per minute. Samples were collected for future analysis and the African Rhino DNA Database include blood (EDTA and serum), tissues and ticks. Both rhinos were also fitted with microchips at four different sites: front horn, back horn, right neck and right rump, then ear notched for animal identification. Oxytetracycline spray was applied to the ears to prevent infection.
The transportation crate placed in front of the animal and the animal was secured with ropes in preparation for loading. 12mg of diprenorphine was injected intra-muscularly. Once personnel and the vehicle pulling the ropes were ready 100mg of Naltrexone was injected intravenously through the superficial ear-vein and another 12mg of diprenorphine injected intra-muscular. The animal was up within two minutes and guided into the crate which was then locked, secured and loaded onto the lorry for transportation.
Release On arrival at the agreed release site, the crate was then offloaded and the vehicles backed away for safety purposes. The crate was unlocked and the rhino walked out in good condition. The rhinos will be intensively monitored to ensure it is safe and well adapted.
Case 4 – 16th February 2021 Lion
Human-wildlife Conflict
Solio Ranch
An adult lioness was captured the night before by baiting and trapping at Solio Ranch so she could be translocated from the livestock ranch to the sanctuary for safety and to prevent it from preying on livestock. Immobilisation, examination and treatment The lioness was darted in the cage with 300mg Ketamine and 8mg Medetomidne. Once the lioness was adequately immobilized, the lioness was removed from the cage for examination. She was in good body condition but had several external injuries thought to have occurred as the animal tried to escape from the cage. These were superficial and sprayed with Alamycin. All of the lioness’s teeth were present and in good condition. The lion was ear-notched with a unique pattern for identification. The wounds caused by notching were sprayed with Alamycin to prevent infection. Tick, tissue and blood samples were collected for future studies. The lioness was then gently put back into the cage which was loaded onto the back of a pick-up. Prognosis The lioness was awake 15 minutes after reversal of the anaesthetic, then transported to an area in the Solio Sanctuary where the cage was offloaded and opened for release once all personnel were safely inside the vehicles. Prognosis is favourable as the lioness was in good condition. She will adapt to the new area easily as there is an abundance of prey. The lioness will be monitored for the next few weeks.
Case 5 – 17th February 2021 Bongo
Natural Causes
Mount Kenya National Reserve
A five-month old Mountain bongo calf was reported to have a large swelling on its right cheek. The swelling was first seen 2 days ago and was visibly enlarging.
Immobilisation, examination and treatment The bongo was darted from foot with 2mg Etorphine combined with 20mg Azaperone, delivered using a DanInject CO2 rifle. The drug took effect after about 6 minutes and the animal went down on right lateral recumbency. Oxygen was supplemented intra-nasally and a blindfold was placed to prevent light stimulation. The swelling was examined and determined to be an abscess. It was shaven clean, disinfected with surgical spirit then lanced and drained. Thereafter, the wound was debrided with Hydrogen peroxide and Iodine. 6mg Dexamethasone was administered intramuscularly for pain relief and to decrease inflammation while 450mg Amoxicillin was administered intramuscularly for systemic antibiotic cover. Prognosis Prognosis is favourable as the abscess was managed in time and the animal is young and healthy. The keepers were advised to ensure the animal is monitored for at least a week to assess the recovery process.
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Case 6 – 18th February 2021 Oryx
Rescue
Dol dol Group Ranch
On the 18th February 2021, a 3-day old orphaned oryx was reported in the Dol dol area in Laikipia. The mother had apparently been attacked and killed by lions. It was determined that the calf be rescued and cared for at an orphanage to better its chances of survival.
Rescue The calf was temporarily placed in a holding room awaiting transportation to the orphanage and was regularly fed with warm milk to improve its condition. The calf was flown to the Kaluku nursery in Tsavo, where round the clock care could be given to the calf to ensure its survival. The warm weather there would also be beneficial to his survival. The oryx was airlifted to spare the calf from the difficult conditions the long road trip would present. Prognosis The calf is expected to survive given the intensive care it will receive.
Case 7 – 20th February 2021 Bongo
Technical Case
Mount Kenya National Reserve
An adult mountain bongo had broken out of its enclosure to pursue a female on heat that was in another breeding group. There were concerns that the bongo would fight with the dominant male of the breeding herd which would result in severe injuries. To avoid this, the animal needed to be moved from the top-forest enclosure to a different enclosure.
Immobilisation, examination and treatment The bongo was darted from foot using 6mg Etorphine and 40mg Azaperone with the drugs taking effect after 8 minutes. Oxygen was supplemented intra-nasally and a blindfold was placed to prevent light stimulation. The bongo had superficial wounds on its body that occurred during a possible fight with the other male and these were treated with Alamycin® spray for topical antibiotic cover. 20mls of Multivitamins was administered intramuscularly to boost metabolism and immunity while 4000mg Oxytetracycline was administered for systemic antibiotic cover. Blood and faecal samples were collected for future examination. Prognosis The bongo was then loaded onto a stretcher and transported to a different boma. The prognosis was good as the animal was in good condition and healthy, and was expected to adapt well to its new environment.
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