SWT/KWS TSAVO MOBILE VETERINARY UNIT MARCH 2021
Introduction
11 Cases in March
4 Lion Cases
3 Elephant Cases
March Report by Dr. Jeremiah Poghon March wasn’t the favourite in the animals’ calendar. With the scorching sun and the greenly coloration of the Tsavo Ecosystem fading fast, diminished stream flow, reduced ground water and a general food and water shortage the different wildlife species have experienced serious challenges. During March, the Vet Unit carried out post-mortems of giraffe and elephant carcasses in Kasigau Ranch and Ziwani respectively. The Unit also treated a lame zebra, a giant elephant bull for a spear wound as well as two lions, one for buffalo wounds and the other for crocodile inflicted wounds. A lioness was relocated from a human settlement near Amboseli National Park and two lions were collared in Taita Sanctuary. The vet team was also involved in the rescue of an abandoned buffalo calf in Ngutuni Safari Lodge. Acknowledgement The unit acknowledges the support of its sponsors ViER PFOTEN through the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust (SWT) for their huge financial support to the unit. We also thank Kenya Wildlife Service through the Assistant director Tsavo conservation area and the Head, Veterinary Services Department.
SWT/KWS Tsavo Mobile Vet Unit Treatment Locations March 2021
Case Details Date
Species
Area Found
1-Mar-21
Zebra
Kipini Conservancy
Reason for Intervention Natural Causes Human Wildlife Conflict
The zebra was located and had suspected fight wounds 7 giraffes had strayed into an enclosed piece of land within the ranch meant for a feedlot project. They successfully drove of 3 giraffes. The remaining 4 were noted to be weak. Water was provided to them but they eventually died The carcass was found lying on its left side. parts had been chopped off by what is suspected to be the locals
Outcome Successfully Treated
4-Mar-21
Giraffe
Kasigau, Taita
6-Mar-21
Elephant
Tsavo West NP
Postmortem
6-Mar-21
Elephant
Tsavo West NP
Postmortem
The carcass was found lying on its left side. Most of the soft tissues had decomposed
Died
10-Mar-21
Lion
Amboseli Environs
Human Wildlife Conflict
A lion that had strayed into human settlements and attacked livestock
Task Successful
11-Mar-21
Buffalo
Tsavo East NP
Rescue
A buffalo calf had been abandoned around their premises and in distress
Died
17-Mar-21
Lion
Taita Hills
Collared
A two-day exercise to collar target “problem” lions in Taita hills Sanctuary
Task Successful
20-Mar-21
Elephant
Kuku Group Ranch
Spear
A penetrating wound to the elephant’s left forelimb was identified be a spear wound
Successfully Treated
21-Mar-21
Lion
Tsavo East NP
Natural Causes
A penetrating wound to the chest/abrasion wounds to the flanks caused by a buffalo
Died
22-Mar-21
Lion
Galana Conservancy
Natural Causes
An encounter between a lion and a crocodile leaving the lion with bite wounds
Successfully Treated
23-Mar-21
Zebra
Kaluku, Tsavo
Natural Causes
She had multiple bite wounds to the flanks, thigh muscles and fracture to the skull
Died
HWC Death
Died
Case 1 – 1st March 2021 Zebra
Natural Causes
Kipini Conservancy
Territorial fights form part of life in the animal kingdom. Zebra stallions are particularly known to engage in very violent fights that can end in death. The new dominant males may kill foals to eliminate traces of their predecessors in order to further their own genetic legacy. On 1st March, the Tsavo Mobile Vet Unit was airlifted to Lamu to access and treat a young zebra with lameness of the right forelimb.
Immobilisation, examination and treatment The zebra was located and from the history, the vet suspected the injuries might have resulted from a fight. Immobilization was achieved using 4mg of Etorphine Hcl and 40mg Xylazine. Once fully immobilized, she was quickly secured and a blindfold put in place to protect the cornea from damage. Water was also generously poured on her to keep her cool. Physical examination revealed a fracture to the distal end of the humeral head that was undergoing healing through callus tissue formation. Anti-inflammatories and antibiotics were administered intramuscularly before reversing the anaesthesia with 1mg Atipamezole and 6mg Diprenorphine. Prognosis A good prognosis for recovery is indicated.
Case 2 – 4th March 2021 Giraffe
Human-Wildlife Conflict
Kasigau, Tsavo
A report was received by the Tsavo East Mobile Vet Unit from the warden at Kasigau Ranch concerning the death of 4 giraffes. The warden indicated that 7 giraffes had strayed into an enclosed piece of land meant for a feedlot project. They made attempts to drive the giraffes off the piece of land and succeeded to drive away three. The remaining 4, (3 males and 1 female) were later noted to be weak during an attempt to drive them out. Water was provided to the giraffes to minimize dehydration but 2 of them died on the 1st and the other 2 on the nights of the 2nd and 3rd March.
Post-mortem Findings Due to the advanced stage of autolysis in two of the carcasses, meaningful pathological changes were not found. The other two carcasses were externally examined and no skin injuries or abnormalities were noted. However, they were noted to have a bloody discharge from the nostrils. On opening the carcasses there was: hemoperitoneum, localised yellowing of the intestinal mucosa, congestion of the liver, kidneys and lungs (oozed blood upon making a cross sectional cut). Prognosis The post-mortem changes noted can be pointed to cardiogenic pulmonary oedema. Death was caused by dehydration due to lack of water in the electric fenced area meant to grow hay.
Case 3 – 6th March 2021 Elephant
Post-mortem
Tsavo West NP
The Tsavo Mobile Vet Unit was informed of an elephant carcass sighted near the Ziwani Base. History taken by the vet indicated that the carcass had been discovered less than 24hrs from the time of arrival and the elephant tusks had been recovered by the KWS rangers at Ziwani Base.
Post-mortem Findings The carcass was found lying on its left side. The trunk, distal ends of all the feet, part of the trapezius and deltoid muscle, part of the muscles of the right forelimb and the right hindlimb had been chopped off by what is suspected to be the locals. Part of the muscle covering the spinal cord had also been chopped off and portions of it were hanging on the tree next to the carcass. Due to the scavenging, portions of the liver, stomach and intestines had been cut off resulting in leakage of the intestinal and stomach contents into the peritoneum. The carcass was opened up and the findings from internal examination were: congested omentum covered in necrotic fat, pale lungs adhering to the visceral pleura and congested kidneys. Cause of Death The post-mortem changes noted can be related to a bacterial infection resulting in the congestion and presence of necrotic fat covering different internal organs. The cause of death is suspected to be Peritonitis.
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Case 4 – 6th March 2021 Elephant
Post-mortem
Tsavo West NP
The Tsavo Mobile Vet Unit was informed of an elephant carcass sighted in the Jipe area of Tsavo West Park. The unit was called in to undertake autopsy to ascertain the cause of death.
Post-mortem Findings The carcass was found lying on its left side. Most of the soft tissues had decomposed and scavenged with only skeletal anatomy and the skin was intact. Cause of Death Cause of death could not be determined due to advanced carcass autolysis.
Case 5 – 10th March 2021 Lion
Human-Wildlife Conflict
Amboseli Environs
The substantial rise in human population has seen an increase in the interaction between humans and wildlife. Encroachment into wildlife ecosystems for pasture and farm land has led to the rise of human-wildlife conflict cases. Lions in particular have been reported to attack livestock resulting in a retaliation from the local communities. The TMVU was informed of a lion that had strayed into human settlements near Amboseli National Park and attacked livestock. The team visited the area to relocate the lion and minimize any cases of human attacks.
Immobilisation With the help of the Resident Rangers, the lioness was sighted and immobilized with 300mg Ketamine and 4mg Medetomidine. Once fully immobilized she was secured, a blindfold put in place to prevent damage to the cornea. Water was poured on her to keep her cool for the journey. Relocation She was loaded onto a landcruiser and transported deep into the Amboseli National Park. She was offloaded and frontline spray applied to manage ectoparasites before reversing the anaesthesia with Atipamezole and Yohimbine. The lioness stood after 15 minutes and walked into the bushes. The vet expects that she will settle well in the new area and hopefully will not return to the human settlement areas.
Case 6 – 11th March 2021 Buffalo
Rescue
Tsavo East NP
A report was received by the TMVU from Ngutuni Safari Lodge in Tsavo East National Park of a buffalo calf that had been abandoned around their premises and in distress.
Rescue The Vet team drove to the area, performed a physical examination to access the state of the buffalo calf. She had bite wounds to the tail and fractures of both the left and right mandible. Antibiotics, antiinflammatories, intravenous fluids were given to aid stabilize her vital parameters but unfortunately she succumbed.
Case 7 – 17th March 2021 Lion
Collaring
Taita Hills
Lions play a critical role in the ecosystem by regulating the numbers of herbivores and keeping herds healthy and strong by preying on the weakest members. Unfortunately, the substantial rise in human populations is threatening lion habitats which has pushed lions closer to humans, resulting in human-wildlife conflict and increased lion deaths due to retaliation to the killing of livestock. In an effort to mitigate these problems, Africa Wildlife Foundation in partnership with Kenya Wildlife Service embarked on a two-day exercise to collar “problem” lions in Taita Hills Wildlife Sanctuary. The collars will monitor lions’ movements and with this kind of information, people can keep their livestock away from lions, increase their guard when the lions are close and the Rangers can help drive them away from human settlements. Collaring exercise The target lion and lioness were identified and darted with 300mg of Ketamine and 4mg Medetomidine from a vehicle and went down after 15 minutes. Once fully immobilized, the were quickly secured and stabilised. The nose-tail length, shoulder height and the paw &canine measurements were taken before fitting the collars. Tissue samples were also collected for DNA analysis. Long acting antibiotics and anti-nflammatories were administered intramuscularly for management of any bacterial infections and pain. The anaesthetic was reversed and though a little drowsy, they rose up and walked away.
Case 8 – 20th March 2021 Elephant
Spear
Kuku Group Ranch
A giant elephant bull had been seen to be lame and in severe pain by Maasai Wildlife Conservation Trust (MWCT) Rangers out on patrol. The report was relayed by the MWCT rangers and Tsavo Trust to the SWT/KWS Tsavo Mobile Veterinary Unit who treated the elephant for a penetrating wound to the elephant’s left forelimb was examined and identified to be from a spear. It was cleaned and treated but needed follow up treatment due to the severity of its nature.
Immobilisation, examination and treatment The elephant bull was darted with 18mg of Etorphine and went down after 10 minutes. Water was poured on him to aid in cooling before proceeding to examine the wound. The wound was thorough cleaned with hydrogen peroxide and iodine, antibiotic cream applied and packed with green clay for its healing properties. Antibiotics and anti-inflammatories to manage bacterial infections and relieve pain respectively. Reversal and prognosis A good healing progress had taken place thus a good prognosis for recovery was indicated 24 mg of diprenorphine with 40mg of naltrexone were used to reverse the anaesthesia. He rose after a little support from the team. Looked back as if thanking the team for coming to his aid and walked away.
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Case 9 – 21st March 2021 Lion
Natural Causes
Tsavo East National Park
In the animal kingdom we often witness epic battles between the hunters and the prey. Lions and buffaloes are ancestral enemies, since the buffalo has always been the most sought after prey by the lions. Buffalo hunting can be challenging to the lions due to their impressive size and large curved horns that pose a threat to the lions during defence. The TMVU received a report of a severely injured Lion sighted in Ngutuni Wildlife Conservancy, Tsavo East and visited the location to access the wounds and carry out treatment.
Immobilisation, examination and treatment The lion was darted with 300mg Ketamine and 4mg Medetomidine. Once fully immobilised, he was secured and a blindfold put in place. Opticlox eye ointment was applied to the eyes to minimize drying. He had suffered a penetrating wound to the chest, and abrasion wounds to the flanks. The wound was cleaned with normal saline, shaved and sutured with nylon monofilament suture 2/0 in a simple interrupted pattern. Abrasion wounds to the skin were cleaned and Alamycin spray applied. Prognosis and Post-mortem examination The anaesthesia was reversed and the lion woke up after 40 minutes, but later succumbed to internal injuries and hypovolemic shock arising from internal bleeding as revealed by autopsy examination. .
Case 10 – 22nd March 2021 Lion
Natural Causes
Galana Conservancy
A report was received by the TMVU of an encounter between a lion and a crocodile at the Galana River leaving the lion with bite wounds to the forelimb. The veterinary team visited the location to offer treatment to the injured Lion.
Immobilisation, examination and treatment Once the injured lion was sighted, a dart was prepared with 300mg Ketamine and 4mg Medetomidine. He was darted from a vehicle and full immobilization achieved after 10 minutes. A blindfold was put in place to offer protection to the cornea and Opticlox eye ointment applied to the eyes to minimize drying. The bite wounds were cleaned with Iodine and Hydrogen peroxide and sutured with nylon suture 2/0 simple interrupted pattern. Prognosis The anaesthesia was reversed using Atipamezole and Yohimbine, and the lion woke up after 15 minutes. The prognosis for recovery is favourable. .
Case 11 – 23rd March 2021 Zebra
Natural Causes
Kaluku, Tsavo
A report was received by the TMVU that one of the zebra orphans at the SWT Voi Reintegration Unit had sustained injuries from an attack by a lion. The team rushed to the Unit to offer critical medical care that was needed.
Immobilisation, examination and treatment The zebra was manually restrained and chemically immobilized with 4mg Etorphine and 40mg Azaperone. She was physically examined and noted to have multiple bite wounds to the flanks, thigh muscles and fracture to the skull exposing part of the brain. Prognosis Based on the wounds and for animal welfare reasons, she was euthanized