SWT/KWS MT KENYA MOBILE VETERINARY UNIT JULY 2021
Introduction
14 Cases in July
2 Poaching Cases
4 Rhino Cases
July Report by Dr. Dominic Mijele During July 2021, the Mt Kenya Wildlife Veterinary unit attended to many wildlife cases that required veterinary intervention in the Laikipia ecosystem and Mt. Kenya region. Some of the wildlife cases attended to include insertion of a microchip tracker on the front horn of a male adult Black rhino, superovulation and oocyte collection of a White rhino and translocation of 2 other White rhinos as well as the collaring of one elepghant. The Unit also treated 4 endangered bongos, 2 endangered Grevys Zebra and 1 common zebra, all for natural causes except 1 snared bongo and 1 snared common zebra. A post-mortem of a male lion and a crocodile were also conducted, the crocodile was a natural death whereas the lion was speared. Acknowledgement We acknowledge the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust (SWT) for their continued support that has enabled the Mt Kenya Veterinary Unit to respond promptly and offer the required treatment to all cases that required veterinary intervention during the month.
SWT/KWS Mount Kenya Mobile Vet Unit Treatment Locations July 2021
Case Details Date
Species
Area Found
Reason for Intervention
Outcome
1-Jul-21
Rhino Black
Ol Jogi Ranch
Technical Cases
Due to movement monitoring a microchip tracker was placed on the front horn
Task Successful
2-Jul-21
Rhino White
Ol Pejeta Conservancy
Technical Cases
She is the only one able to produce follicles and ovum that can be successfully harvested
Task Successful
2-Jul-21
Antelope
Mount Kenya NR
Natural Causes
The calf swelling was examined and confirmed to be a bone swelling
Successfully Treated
3-Jul-21
Lion
Mpala Ranch
HWC
A penetrating spear wound at the lower back. It appeared paralysed the lower back
HWC Death
3-Jul-21
Other
Nyeri County
Postmortem
A small patch of bruising was seen on the ventral aspect of the neck
Died
9-Jul-21
Rhino White
Ol Pejeta Conservancy
Technical Cases
The oocytes were harvested from the ovaries using a guided ultrasound probe
Task Successful
16-Jul-21
Antelope
Mount Kenya NR
Natural Causes
A bongo calf had diarrhoea. It was feeding normally and still had a good body condition
Successfully Treated
16-Jul-21
Zebra
Mount Kenya NR
Snared
a manila-rope snare on its right foreleg that had cut through the muscles
Successfully Treated
16-Jul-21
Elephant
Loldaiga Ranch
Collared
A GPS/GSM collar was fitted around the neck for monitoring purposes
Task Successful
18-Jul-21
Antelope
Mount Kenya NR
Snared
Had a wire snare around the neck. The snare had not caused any injury to the animal
Successfully Treated
18-Jul-21
Antelope
Mount Kenya NR
Natural Causes
Had an abscess on the lower left flank area. The animal could walk and feed normally
Successfully Treated
21-Jul-21
Rhino White
Ol Pejeta Conservancy
Technical Cases
Two southern white rhinos were to be translocated to the teaser bull enclosure. Who will detect Oestrus in the females
Task Successful
22-Jul-21
Zebra
Lewa Conservancy
Natural Causes
Had a very severe traumatic wound on the perineal, inguinal, and the lower abdomen
Successfully Treated
22-Jul-21
Zebra
Lewa Conservancy
Natural Causes
Multiple bite wounds on the body caused by a predator
Successfully Treated
Case 1 – 1st July 2021 Black Rhino
Technical Case
Ol Jogi Wildlife Sanctuary
An adult male black rhino, due to movement monitoring, had to be chemically immobilised and a microchip tracker placed on the front horn. The animal was already in the boma where close-range darting was done.
Immobilisation, Micro tracker placement and treatment The animal was darted from the boma fence with 3mgs Etorphine combined with 60mgs Azaperone using a Dan-inject compressed CO2 dart gun. The drug took effect after about 7 minutes and the rhino went down on lateral recumbency. 15mgs of butorphanol was then administered intravenously to promote respiration. The animal body temperature was cooled by pouring water on the body. Once the animal was chemically immobilised, vital parameters were confirmed to be within acceptable range, then the microchip was placed on the front horn a few centimetres from the horn tip. Due to a number of skin bruises the animal was administered with Amoxicillin, then Opticlox cream was applied to the wounds and finally sprayed with Oxytetracycline spray.
Blood samples were collected from the superficial digital vein of the hind left limb using an 18-gauge needle and a 20cc syringe then placed in EDTA coated tubes and plain tubes. A small tissue sample was also taken from the ear. All samples were taken for laboratory analysis.
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Case 2 – 2nd July 2021 White Rhino
Technical Case
Ol Pejeta Conservancy
Fatu is one of the two only surviving Northern White rhinos in the whole world. She is the only one able to produce follicles and an ovum number that can be successfully harvested. Because her uterus cannot carry pregnancy to term, superovulation was done then the ova are taken and fertilised by sperms that were collected from the Northern White rhino male. The embryo formed will then be planted into Southern White surrogate females.
Superovulation Procedure This was done with the animal in a standing position without anaesthesia. This is due to the fact that Fatu is tamed and friendly. Despite all these it was done carefully while feeding the animal and back rubs given by the Ol Pejeta Ranger. The superovulation agent used was 1.5mg of Histerine acetate injected adjacent to the vulvar lining after application of oil and rubbing the area while injecting. This procedure was repeated 3 times every other day there after ovum pick-up was then carried out.
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Case 3 – 2nd July 2021 Bongo
Natural Causes
Mount Kenya Wildlife Conservancy
A female mountain bongo calf was reported to have a swelling on the left mandible suspected to be an abscess. It was feeding normally and still had a good body condition. Immobilisation, treatment and examination The calf had a small hard and consolidated swelling on the left mandible, the swelling was examined and palpated and confirmed to be a bone swelling of the mandibular bone. It was not an abscess. It was just a small swelling of the bone caused by a blunt force, probably it was hit by another bongo. The calf was treated using Amoxicillin and Dexamethasone administered intramuscularly. It was also dewormed using Fenbendazole which was administered orally. Faecal samples were collected for parasites eggs/gram counts. Alood sample was also collected from the jugular vein and placed in an EDTA coated tubes and plain tubes. Samples were taken for laboratory analysis. Prognosis The prognosis was good since the swelling was not an abscess.
Case 4 – 3rd July 2021 Lion
Human-Wildlife Conflict/Spear
Mpala Wildlife Conservancy
Security team from Mpala Wildlife Conservancy reported a case of an adult male lion found with a penetrating
deep wound at the lower back. It appeared paralysed from the lower back bone around the lumbosacral joint. The animal was also dehydrated, emaciated and weak. General Observation By the time we reached the scene the animal was already dead and lying on its right lateral recumbency. It had very poor body condition and a penetrating wound to the lower back. Significant Findings There was a penetrating wound on the level of the lumbosacral joint. The traumatic wound appeared to have compromised the nerves around the joint which ended up rendering the animal totally paralysed on the hind legs. It was caused by a spear. A piece of ear tissue was taken for laboratory analysis. Cause of Death Due to the lower legs paralysis the animal was unable to move therefore it died out of dehydration and starvation.
Case 5 – 3rd July 2021 Crocodile
Post-mortem
Kiganjo, Nyeri County
An adult female crocodile was reported to be lethargic and slow moving on 3rd July 2021. Keepers reported that the animal had fed well but had slowly become dull and slow moving.
General Observation The animal was in good body condition. A small patch of bruising was seen on the ventral aspect of the neck. Significant Findings There was slight congestion on the ventral aspect of the trachea. There was presence of a large amount of clotted blood in the thoracic cavity as well as generalized pallor of both lungs. The oesophagus was full of straw-coloured ingesta. The stomach was full of partially digested meat and bones indicative the animal was well fed prior to death. The mesenteric blood vessels were also congested and there was generalized congestion. The intestinal mucosa was haemorrhagic with congested blood vessels and sloughing off of the intestinal mucosa indicative of fibrinous enteritis. Cause of Death Traumatic injury leading to hypovolemic shock due to internal haemorrhage in the thoracic cavity.
Case 6 – 9th July 2021 White Rhino
Technical Case
Ol Pejeta Conservancy
Northern White rhinos are highly endangered wildlife species which are currently facing extinction if action is not taken. An operation is ongoing to assisted reproduction by collection of the ovum, fertilization and implantation of the embryo into a surrogate female Southern White Rhino. Earlier in the month the Unit assisted with a superovulation procedure, on this date it was time to collect the ovum. Immobilisation, and ovum pick-up A non-Etorphine anaesthesia protocol for the procedure. The rhino was hand injected using 35mg Detomidine, 50mg Butorphanol, 20mg Midazolam and 200mg of Ketamine in one syringe. Maintenance was done using varying dosages of the drug mixture and plain Ketamine. Oxygen was supplemented throughout the procedure intranasally. The anaesthesia was monitored closely using a pulse Oxymeter, Capnometer and recording of respiratory rate, pulse rate, heart rate, body temperature, capillary refill time. Oocyte recovery in the rhinoceros was performed transrectally under ultrasound guidance. Puncture of the rectal wall and subsequent aspiration of multiple follicles resulted in the collection of several oocytes from the rhino. The rhino responded well to anaesthesia and recovered successfully after a successful ovum pickup procedure.
Case 7 – 16th July 2021 Bongo
Natural Causes
Mt Kenya Wildlife Conservancy
A female mountain bongo calf was reported by the Mt. Kenya Wildlife Team to have diarrhea. It was feeding normally and still had good body condition. It was suspected to have suffered from helminthosis. Immobilisation, examination and treatment The bongo was easily darted from foot with 2mgs Etorphine combined with 10mgs Azaperone placed in a 2ml dart. The drug took effect after 5 minutes and the animal was physically restrained and the anaesthesia reversed immediately with 50mgs Naltrexone. The calf had a soiled tail and perineum which is a sign of watery diarrhoea. It had a smooth and bright coat. It was alert, active and with good body condition. The calf was treated with Amoxicillin, Dexamethasone, and multivitamin all administered intramuscularly. De-worming was done using Fenbendazole which was administered orally. Feacal samples were collected for parasites eggs/gram counts. A blood sample was collected from the jugular vein using a 21-gauge needle and a 20cc syringe then placed in an EDTA coated tubes and plain tubes. Samples were taken for processing for later laboratory analysis. Prognosis The prognosis was good due to the timely detection and management of the diarrhoea.
Case 8 – 16th July 2021 Zebra
Snare
Sirimon, Mount Kenta National Park
The security team from Sirimon gate, Mt. Kenya National Park reported a case of a female adult common zebra with a manila-rope snare on its right foreleg that had cut through the muscles and caused bleeding and tissue injury to the affected leg. The zebra was lame and limping unable to graze normally. Immobilisation, examination and treatment Chemical immobilization was done using 5mgs of Etorphine combined with 80mgs Azaperone. Darting was done from the vehicle and the drug took effect after 5 minutes and the animal went down on its left lateral recumbency. It was then blindfolded, and the general physical examination done. The zebra had a manila rope snare around the pastern joint. It had caused severe damage to the soft tissues and a circumscribing wound around the pastern joint. The rope snare was cut off and the wound cleaned with clean water. It was then debrided with 10% Hydrogen peroxide, disinfected Iodine after which Opticlox cream was applied. Finally, it was sprayed Oxytetracycline spray. The animal was then administered Amoxicillin intramuscularly. Blood and tissue samples were collected and taken to the laboratory for analysis. Prognosis The prognosis was good due to the timely detection of the snare and management of the wound.
Case 9 – 16th July 2021 Elephant
Collaring
Lol Daiga Hills, Laikipia
Kenya Wildlife Service, in collaboration with the Space for Giants requested the Mt. Kenya veterinary Unit to assist in capture and fitting of GPS collars to two male elephants on Lol daiga Hills Ranch in order to help provide data from known crop raiding elephants. This data is critical in helping understand weaknesses in fence alignments and to support KWS in proactive HEC mitigation efforts. Immobilisation and collaring The two elephants were found on the hillside in two separate herds, they were captured one at a time by darting from a helicopter. After darting, the elephants were put on lateral recumbency and dowsed liberally with water to help control the body temperatures. Once they were on stable anaesthesia, a GPS/GSM collar was fitted around the neck circumference; the collar was loose enough not to strangle the elephant. Body morphometric measurements were taken, and blood and tissue samples also collected for disease surveillance. Soon after fitting the collars the elephants were revived immediately from anaesthesia. Prognosis The two collared elephants will be monitored online by KWS and Space for Giants in attempt to control human-elephant conflicts in the area.
Case 10 – 18th July 2021 Bongo
Snare
Mt Kenya Wildlife Conservancy
An adult female mountain bongo named (Lucy) was reported by the Mt. Kenya Wildlife Team to have a wire snare around the neck. The snare had not caused any injury to the animal but it was causing a discomfort. Immobilisation, examination and treatment Chemical immobilization was done using 5mgs of Etorphine combined with 40mgs Azaperone placed in a 2ml dart fitted with a 2.0×40mm plain needle. Darting was done on foot using a Dan-inject compressed CO2 dart gun. The drug took effect after 5 minutes and the animal was physically restrained and blind folded. The wire snare was loose and had not affected the animal. It had gone around the neck but was still lose. The animal was in good health, active and feeding normally. The snare was removed using a wire cutter. The hooves were also trimmed as they appeared to be a bit overgrown. A blood sample was collected from the jugular vein using an 18-gauge needle and a 20cc syringe and was placed in EDTA coated tubes. Samples were taken to the laboratory for analysis. Prognosis The prognosis was good as the snare was lose and had not affected the animal in any way.
Case 11 – 18th July 2021 Bongo
Snare
Mt Kenya Wildlife Conservancy
Mt. Kenya Security Team reported a case of an adult female mountain bongo with an abscess. Immobilisation, examination and treatment Chemical immobilization was done using 5mgs of Etorphine combined with 40mgs Azaperone placed in a 2ml dart fitted with a 2.0×40mm plain needle. Darting was done on foot using a Dan-inject compressed CO2 dart gun. The drug took effect after 5 minutes and the animal was physically restrained and blind folded. The abscess was located on the lower left flank area. The animal could walk and feed normally. The area around the abscess was shaved, the abscess was then lanced using a surgical blade and drained. The wound was then flushed with 10% hydrogen peroxide to debride the necrotic exudate and disinfected using tincture of iodine. Slow-release antibiotic pessaries were then inserted and Opticlox cream applied. Finally, it was sprayed with Oxytetracycline spray. The animal was also administered Amoxicillin and Dexamethasone. Blood sample was collected from the jugular vein using 18-gauge needle and a 20cc syringe and was placed in an EDTA coated tubes and plain blood tubes. Samples were taken to the laboratory for analysis. Prognosis The prognosis was good as the abscess was detected and managed in time.
Case 12 – 18th July 2021 White Rhino
Relocation
Ol Pejeta Conservancy
Two adult, female, southern white rhinos, who are to be used as surrogate females for the Northern White Rhino Population Recovery Project, were to be translocated to the teaser bull enclosure. The teaser bull is supposed to detect oestrus (heat) after which the frozen embryos will be implanted into the females to obtain pregnancy. This takes a lot of patience and monitoring to increase the chances of success during and after the transfer. The exercise begun by a briefing from the Head of Capture, Dr. Isaac Lekolool and the Rhino Program coordinator, Linus Kariuki. There was a second meeting where the equipment, drug, environment and security checklists were run through and roles assigned. Immobilisation, examination and treatment Both rhinos were darted with 5mgs Etorphine hydrochloride combined with 80mg Azaperone, blindfolded then administered 20mg Butorphanol. Respiration was monitored throughout. Blood, tissue and tick samples were collected, and ear notching carried out for animal identification and Oxytetracycline spray applied. The transportation crate was placed in front of the animal which was secured with ropes. Once personnel and the vehicle were ready 100mgs of Naltrexone and 12mg Diprenorphine was injected intravenously, 100mg of Naltrexone was injected intramuscularly to prevent renarcotization. The animal was up within one minute and guided into the crate which was then locked, secured and loaded onto the lorry for transportation. On arrival at the agreed release site, the crate was offloaded. The crate was unlocked and the rhino walked out. Within minutes she met with the teaser bull (Ouwan). The surrogate rhinos will be intensively monitored to ensure it is well adapted to allow the embryo transfer.
Case 13 – 22nd July 2021 Zebra (Grevy)
Natural Causes
Lewa Wildlife Conservancy
Security team from Lewa Wildlife conservancy reported a grevy’s zebra with multiple lion bite wounds on the rear area around the perineum, extending to the inguinal and the lower abdomen. Immobilisation, examination and treatment The zebra immobilised with 5mgs Etorphine combined with 80mgs Azaperone. Darting was done from the vehicle and the drug took effect after 5 minutes. It was then blindfolded, and treatment commenced. The zebra was found to have a very severe and extensive traumatic wound on the perineal, inguinal, and the lower abdominal area. It had minimal necrotic exudates which was a sign of wounds caused not more than 36 hours earlier. The superficial necrotic layers of the wound were excised, and the haemorrhage controlled by use of haemostats. The wound was debrided with10% Hydrogen peroxide and disinfected with Iodine. Slow-release antibiotic pessaries were inserted, then Oopticlox cream and green clay were applied before spraying with Oxytetracyclin spray. The animal was administered Amoxicillin and Flunixine meglumine. Blood and tissues samples were taken for laboratory analysis. Prognosis The prognosis was good due to the timely detection and wound management.
Case 14 – 22nd July 2021 Zebra (Grevy)
Natural Causes
Lewa Wildlife Conservancy
Lewa Wildlife Conservancy reported a Grevy’s zebra with multiple bite wounds on the gluteal muscles, quadriceps muscles, rear area around the perineum, extending to the inguinal and the lower abdomen. Immobilisation, examination and treatment The zebra was darted from a vehicle with 5mgs Etorphine combined with 80mgs Azaperone. The drug took effect after 4 minutes and the animal went down on its side. It was then blindfolded for treatment. The zebra was found to have a very severe and extensive traumatic wound on the perineal, inguinal, and the lower abdominal area. It had minimal necrotic exudate which was a sign of wounds caused not more than 36 hours earlier. The superficial necrotic layers of the wound were excised, and haemorrhage controlled by use of haemostats. 10% hydrogen peroxide was then used to debride the wound and a tincture of Iodine was then applied to disinfect the wounds. Slow-release antibiotic pessaries were inserted into the wound, Opticlox cream and green clay were then applied. Finally, the wound was sprayed with Oxytetracyclin spray. The animal was treated using Amoxicillin and Flunixine meglumine administered intramuscularly. Prognosis The prognosis was good due to the timely detection and wound management.