SWT/KWS Mt Kenya Mobile Veterinary Report for August 2021

SWT/KWS MT KENYA MOBILE VETERINARY UNIT AUGUST 2021

Introduction

4 Cases in August

3 Rhino Cases

100% Success

August Report by Dr. Domnic Mijele During the month of August 2021, the Mt Kenya Wildlife Veterinary Unit were on leave for most of the month, with the only cases attended to at the beginning of the month. The Meru Vet attended to several cases on the Units behalf.

In total, the Unit attended to four cases that required veterinary assistance in the Laikipia ecosystem and Mt. Kenya region.

Some of the wildlife veterinary cases attended to include chemical immobilization, clinical examination and samples collection from an orphaned chimpanzee at Ol Pejeta Wildlife Conservancy, and the huge undertaking of translocation and ear notching of black and white rhinos at Meru National Park where a total of 28 rhinos were ear notched.

Acknowledgement We highly 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 treatment to all wildlife cases that require veterinary intervention. The support from SWT has made it possible for the team to respond and save many wildlife lives.

Case Details Species

Area Found

3-Aug-21

Primate

Ol Pejeta Conservancy

Technical Cases

4-Aug-21

Rhino Black

Meru National Park

Relocation

4-Aug-21

Rhino Black

Meru National Park

Technical Cases

4-Aug-21

Rhino Black

Meru National Park

Technical Cases

Date

Reason for Intervention This operation was done to collect various samples for laboratory testing and clinically examine Baran’s health to see if he can be released from quarantine Six white rhinos were successfully anaesthetised, ear-notched and translocated to Nairobi National Park, 15 white rhinos and 7 black rhinos were ear notched and released within Meru National Park Six white rhinos were successfully anaesthetised, ear-notched and translocated to Nairobi National Park, 15 white rhinos and 7 black rhinos were ear notched and released within Meru National Park Six white rhinos were successfully anaesthetised, ear-notched and translocated to Nairobi National Park, 15 white rhinos and 7 black rhinos were ear notched and released within Meru National Park

Outcome Task Successful

Task Successful

Task Successful

Task Successful

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

Case 1 – 3rd August 2021 Chimpanzee

Technical Case

Ol Pejeta Wildlife Conservancy

The orphaned 4-year-old female chimpanzee named ‘Baran’ was born prematurely in 2017 at the Eram zoo in Iran. The mother wasn’t able to fully bond with her and she was rescued and brought up in a zoo and recently moved to Kenya at Sweetwaters Chimpanzee sanctuary in Ol pejeta for better care and to join other chimpanzees. This operation was done to collect various samples for laboratory testing and determine if Baran is in good health and be released from quarantine to join other chimpanzees in the Sanctuary.

Immobilisation, examination and treatment She was darted from close range on foot with 75mgs of Ketamine combined with 0.75mgs of Medetomidine.

The dart landed on the right thigh musculature and the animal was fully anaesthetised after 5 minutes. After immobilization, the animal was placed on the operation table. The general body condition was good and the vital physiological parameters such as respiration rate, heart rate and pulse rate were constantly monitored and were within acceptable range from the beginning of the anaesthesia up to the end.

A gauze swab soaked in 70% surgical spirit was used to disinfect the upper thigh for blood collection. Blood was collected from the femoral vein which was then transferred to EDTA coated tubes for whole blood analysis and plain blood tubes for serum analysis. Nasal swabs were taken specifically for Covid-19 testing.

The blood samples were to be tested for haemorrhagic fever diseases among other tests.

Case 2, 3 & 4 – 4th August 2021 Black/White Rhino

Technical Case/Relocation

Meru National Park

Rhino ear-notching is an important tool in rhino monitoring which aids positive identification of individual rhinos during routine patrols in the field and to ensure all the individuals are always safe. The team was able to work on a total of 28 rhinos. Six white rhinos were successfully anesthetized, ear-notched and translocated to Nairobi National Park, 15 white rhinos and 7 black rhinos were ear notched and released within Meru National Park. The group involved both sub adult and adult white and black rhinos.

Immobilisation, examination and treatment Adult White rhinos were immobilised with 4mgs Etorphine and 80mg Azaperone. Adult Black rhinos were immobilised with 3.5mgs and 80mgs Azaperone. All sub-adult rhinos were immobilised with 3mg Etorphine and 60mgs Azaperone. Darting was done from a helicopter to ensure ease of darting and tracking of rhinos after darting.

After the animal was immobilised and vital parameters stabilised, ear-notching marks were made on the ears using a surgical blade, this was cut according to the identification number of the rhino, microchips were also inserted in different body parts of the animal for further identification. The 6 animals that were targeted as relocation candidates were loaded into a crate, placed on a truck and moved to Nairobi National Park. The task was successful with no fatalities. All animals recovered from the anaesthetic successfully.