SWT/KWS Mt Kenya Mobile Veterinary Report for March 2022

SWT/KWS MT KENYA MOBILE VETERINARY UNIT MARCH 2022

Introduction

9 Cases in March

85% Success

4 Elephant Cases

March Report by Dr. Dominic Mijele During the month of March 2022, the Mt Kenya Wildlife Veterinary unit attended to all reported wildlife cases that required veterinary intervention in the Laikipia Ecosystem and Mt. Kenya Region.

Some of the wildlife cases attended to include elephant calf rescues at Ol donyiro/Ol malo Conservancies, de-snaring and treatment of a reticulated giraffe in Garissa, the translocation of mountain bongos at the Mt Kenya Wildlife Conservancy, a Grevy’s zebra treatment at Ol Pejeta amongst other cases.

Acknowledgement We highly acknowledge and appreciate Sheldrick Wildlife Trust (SWT) for their continued support that has enabled the Mt Kenya Wildlife Veterinary Unit to respond promptly and offer the urgently required treatment to all wildlife cases that required veterinary intervention during the month.

Case Details Date

Species

Area Found

6-Mar-22

Giraffe

Garissa

Snared

Have a tight wire snare attached to a log around the distal end of the right hind leg.

Successfully Treated

7-Mar-22

Antelope

Mt Kenya NP

Natural Causes

An adult male Mountain Bongo was reported to have a cracked right front hoof

Successfully Treated

10-Mar-22

Elephant

OlDonyiro, Laikipia

Rescue

This calf was found abandoned and needed rescuing

Taken to Orphanage

11-Mar-22

Cheetah

Laikipia Environs

Human Wildlife Conflict

14-Mar-22

Elephant

Mutara Ranch

Technical Cases

15-Mar-22

Antelope

Mt Kenya NP

Relocation

21-Mar-22

Zebra

Ol Pejeta Conservancy

Natural Causes

It appeared weak due to extreme starvation and malnutrition

Prognosis Poor

22-Mar-22

Elephant

Ol Malo Conservancy

Rescue

Rescued an abandoned calf

Taken to Orphanage

27-Mar-22

Elephant

OlDonyiro, Laikipia

Rescue

Rescued an abandoned calf

Taken to Orphanage

Reason for Intervention

It had given birth to 5 cubs in someone’s compound and was preying on goats and sheep in that community There was need for elephant plasma to be used for hand-feeding some of the very young elephant calves 5 bongos were moved to the newly launched Mawingu Mountain Bongo Sanctuary while 8 others were moved to their new bomas

Outcome

Taken to Orphanage Task Successful Task Successful

SWT/KWS Mount Kenya Mobile Vet Unit Treatment Locations March 2022

Case 1 – 6th March 2022 Giraffe

Snared

Garissa

An adult male giraffe was seen with a tight wire snare around the distal end of the right hind leg. The snare was attached to a log of wood which the giraffe was pulling along as it walked, causing a lot of pain and discomfort.

Immobilisation, examination and treatment The snared giraffe was found alone in the field and was quickly darted from a vehicle using 14mgs of Etorphine Hcl combined with 50mgs Azaperone delivered by Dan-inject remote delivery system. It took about 5 minutes for the immobilization drug to take effect and the giraffe was roped down by the Veterinary team and the team from Garissa Community Wildlife Conservancy.

The wire snare was cut off using a wire cutter, luckily the snare had not caused any injury or wound.

Prognosis Prognosis was good after the snare was removed and the giraffe was relieved.

Case 2 – 7th March 2022 Bongo

Natural Causes

Wildlife Conservancy, Mt Kenya

An adult male mountain bongo was reported to have a cracked right front hoof.

Immobilisation, treatment and relocation The bongo was darted from foot with 6.5mgs Etorphine combined with 30mgs Azaperone The drug took effect after 5 minutes after which it was physically restrained.

The mountain bongo was treated with 4,000mgs Phenylbutazone and 3,000mgs Amoxicillin. The injured hoof was debrided with 10% Hydrogen peroxide, flushed with Iodine, then sprayed with Oxytetracycline.

Translocation and anaesthesia monitoring was done simultaneously, and the animal had an average respiratory rate of 12 breaths per minute. Oxygen was also supplemented, and the head positioning done appropriately for optimal breathing. The bongo was transported from mid forest 1 to top forest 2.

Prognosis The prognosis was good due to timely detection and management of the condition.

Case 3 – 10th March 2022 Elephant

Rescue

Oldonyiro, Laikipia

The Mt Kenya Mobile Unit responded to the case and rescued an abandoned elephant calf.

Immobilisation and rescue The calf was rescued by the Mt Kenya Mobile Vet team in Oldonyiro, it was then stabilized using 10% glucose and Ringers lactate fluids intravenously, after which it was flown by means of a helicopter from Oldonyiro to Sheldrick’s Wildlife Trust Elephant Orphanage, Nairobi.

The animal was observed to be in good body condition The animal was transported in the helicopter while alert under close monitoring of vital parameters. The calf arrived safely at the Nursery. .

Case 4 – 11th March 2022 Cheetah

Human-Wildlife Conflict

Oldonyiro, Laikipia

The Mt Kenya Mobile Unit responded to the case and rescued an abandoned elephant calf.

Immobilisation and rescue The calf was rescued by the Mt Kenya Mobile Vet team in Oldonyiro, it was then stabilized using 10% glucose and Ringers lactate fluids intravenously, after which it was flown by means of a helicopter from Oldonyiro to Sheldrick’s Wildlife Trust Elephant Orphanage, Nairobi.

The animal was observed to be in good body condition The animal was transported in the helicopter while alert under close monitoring of vital parameters. The calf arrived safely at the Nursery. .

Case 5 – 14th March 2022 Elephant

Technical Case

Mutara Ranch, Laikipia

There was need for elephant plasma to be used for hand-feeding some of the very young elephant calves of less than two months old. These are calves that were abandoned by their mothers before they got adequate colostrum and do not have sufficient immunity. To improve their immunity and supplement the protein elephant plasma was required to supplement the feeding.

Immobilisation and blood collection The elephant was darted from a helicopter with 2 mgs Etorphine. The drug took effect after 10 minutes and the animal went down on its left lateral recumbency.

Blood collection was done through the ear veins. The right ear was thoroughly washed with clean water and disinfected with surgical spirit after which the blood bags were prepared and inserted into specific ear veins.

Blood was allowed to flow into the sterile blood bags by gravity until full whereby they were detached from the ear veins and placed in a cool box for transportation. Pressure was applied on the pricked ear veins to prevent oozing of blood. Each kit had a blood carrying capacity of 450mls and a total of 10 kits were used .

At the end of the procedure, blood was collected and stored in a cool box ready for transportation.

Case 6 – 15th March 2022 Bongo

Relocation

Mt Kenya Wildlife Conservancy

The following report describes an 8-day translocation operation undertaken at Mt. Kenya Wildlife Conservancy by KWS Veterinary Team in conjunction with Mt. Kenya Wildlife Conservancy Team. 5 mountain bongos were moved from their bomas to the newly launched Mawingu Mountain Bongo Sanctuary while 8 others were moved to new bomas. The aim of the operation was to release some of the best selected candidates from their semi-captive environment to a more spacious, wild environment for gradual adaption to the wild but still monitoring their progress.

Immobilisation and relocation The animals were darted from foot with a combination of Etorphine Hcl (9.8mg/ml) 10mgs/ml and Azaperone (100mgs/ml). Once the animal went down it was physically restrained and blind folded. In cases where there was a need to stimulate respiration, 10mgs Butorphanol was administered via the ear vein.

All the animals were supplied with oxygen during the translocation process during which the vital parameters were also monitored.

All the bongos were successfully revived in their new location and have adapted well.

Case 7 – 21st March 2022 Zebra

Natural Causes

Ol Pejeta, Laikipia

A sub-adult male Grevy’s zebra was reported by the Ol Pejeta Conservancy team to have gone on sternal recumbency for two days. The zebra was noted to be weak.

Immobilisation, examination and treatment The animal was noted to have good body condition however it appeared weak due to extreme starvation and malnutrition. Due to multiple attempts to stand there was injury to the muzzle and had a bleeding tongue.

The animal was administered with 20mls of Catasol and 20mls of Multivitamins intramuscularly.

Prognosis The prognosis was poor due to the extent of injury on the tongue and muzzle as the animal had been unable to feed or drink.

Case 8 – 22nd March 2022 Elephant

Rescue

Ol Malo, Conservancy

The Mt Kenya Mobile Unit responded to the case and rescued an abandoned calf as described in the following report Rescue The calf was immobilised with 2mgs Etorphine as the induction dose and administration was through hand injection. After recumbency the animal was restrained and loaded onto a helicopter for transportation. The calf was in good condition.

Translocation and anaesthesia monitoring was done simultaneously and an additional 1mgs Etorphine was administered intramuscularly to calm the animal for transportation. it was flown to Sheldrick’s Wildlife Trust Elephant Orphanage, Nairobi.

Case 9 – 27th March 2022 Elephant

Rescue

Ol Donyiro Conservancy

The Mt Kenya Mobile Unit responded to the case and rescued an abandoned calf as described in the following report Rescue The animal was extremely weak and recumbent, it was put on 50% Glucose and Ringers Lactate solution through the superficial ear-veins before being air-lifted by a helicopter to Sheldrick Wildlife Trust elephant orphanage in Nairobi.

The animal was put on glucose and Ringers Lactate solution to stabilize her in the field and at the orphanage.

Prognosis The prognosis was guarded due hypoglycaemia and possible internal injuries.