SWT/KWS TSAVO MOBILE VETERINARY UNIT SEPTEMBER 2021
Introduction
9 Cases in September
2 Poaching Cases
2 Predator Cases
September Report by Dr. Jeremiah Poghon The scorching sun continued to take its toll on the Tsavo Ecosystem. With trees becoming leafless and seasonal rivers running dry, wildlife in the Tsavo region have migrated in search of food and water. During September, the Tsavo Vet Unit attended to 9 cases. Two buffalo calves and a zebra were rescued but later succumbed. A female zebra was treated for dystocia and a buffalo bull was treated for a wire snare in Galana, while in Lamu a leopard was treated for a snare which unfortunately amputated its paw.. The team also attended to two other zebras and collared 4 spotted hyenas in the Sobo Rhino Sanctuary in Tsavo East. 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.
Case Details Date
Species
Area Found
9-Sep-21
Leopard
Kipini Conservancy
Snared
He was snared on the right hind limb onto a tree by use of a tough wire snare
Poaching Death
12-Sep-21
Buffalo
Taita Ranches
Natural Causes
He was recumbent and the membranes showed significant signs of dehydration
Taken to Orphanage
13-Sep-21
Zebra
Tsavo East NP
Natural Causes
The zebra had dystocia which refers to an abnormal or difficult birth usually caused by abnormal alignment the foal
Successfully Treated
13-Sep-21
Buffalo
Tsavo East NP
Snared
The buffalo was anchored to a tree with a wire snare around the neck
Successfully Treated
14-Sep-21
Zebra
Tsavo East NP
Natural Causes
A zebra orphan had sustained laceration wounds due to a lion attack
Successfully Treated
15-Sep-21
Hyena
Tsavo East NP
Collared
Collaring four male spotted hyenas in the Sobo Rhino Sanctuary for scientific research
Task Successful
18-Sep-21
Buffalo
Ngutuni Conservancy
Natural Causes
He was stuck in the water and could not stand due to an Achilles tendon injury sustained from a probable lion attack
Died
22-Sep-21
Zebra
Tsavo East NP
Natural Causes
The zebra was found to be weak and dehydrated
Died
Lake Jipe
Natural Causes
Found to be weak, dehydrated and in a poor body condition. The left hindlimb had an old dislocation that had fused
Died
30-Sep-21
Zebra
Reason for Intervention
Outcome
SWT/KWS Tsavo Mobile Vet Unit Treatment Locations September 2021
Case 1 – 9th September 2021 Leopard
Snare
Kipini Conservancy, Lamu
Kipini Ranch Conservancy Rangers reported a snared leopard near the conservancy boundary. The Vet team was airlifted to the area by SWT fixed wing aircraft. Immobilisation, examination and treatment On arrival the team was led to a bushy area where the leopard was snared. The leopard was immobilized by darting with 150 mgs of Ketamine Hcl and 1 mg Meditomidine Hcl. He went down after 10 minutes. Examination revealed he was snared on the right hind limb onto a tree by a tough wire snare. Sadly, the right front limb was severed at the ankle joint, and all claws were missing. Carnivores depend on hunting prey in the wild and the missing right paw and the injured right rear limb meant that the Leopard could not survive in the wild. Prognosis The leopard was euthanized on animal welfare considerations.
Case 2 – 12th September 2021 Buffalo
Rescue
Mgeno Ranch, Taita Ranches
The Tsavo Vet Unit received a report from Wildlife Works regarding an abandoned buffalo calf noted to be weak next to a water point in Mgeno ranch. Knowing the urgency for veterinary intervention, the TMVU rushed to the area to try and save the calf. Immobilisation, examination and treatment The vet found the calf recumbent and weak. He was quickly secured, water doused on his body to cool him while a temporary shade was created to shelter him from the scorching sun. To avoid visual excitation, a blindfold was put in place while the vet proceeded to carry out a physical examination. He was noted to have dry mucus membranes significant of dehydration and abrasion wounds to the hock and tail. The wounds were cleaned with Hydrogen peroxide and Iodine before applying Oxytetracycline spray. To counter water and electrolyte loss, the calf was administered with intravenous fluids (Normal saline and 10% Dextrose) which saw him regain some strength. Prognosis Due to his location, and the risk of being attacked by predators if left alone, he was taken to the Sheldrick Voi Reintegration Unit for close monitoring but succumbed to complications the next day.
Case 3 – 13th September 2021 Zebra
Natural Causes
Sala, Tsavo East National Park
Dystocia refers to an abnormal or difficult birth. The most common cause of dystocia is an abnormal alignment of the head or the forelimbs of the foal in the birth canal. The TMVU was made aware of a female zebra that had been spotted on the road towards Sala gate with fetal feet protruding from the vulva. She was said to be distressed and in pain therefore needed prompt intervention. Immobilisation, examination and treatment The mare was standing under a tree with the fetal legs protruding from the vulva. She was quickly immobilized by darting her from a vehicle with 6mg Etorphine and 60mg Xylazine. She achieved full immobilization after 5 minutes and was quickly secured and a blind fold put in place. The fetus was in an anterior presentation, left head flexion posture and dead due to a prolonged labour estimated to be about 12hrs. The malposture was corrected and the fetus pulled out with the aid of a vehicle. Once out, other uterine contents were removed before administering anti-inflammatories and 6000mg Amoxicillin. Prognosis The fetus was disposed of and the mare’s anaesthetic reversed She woke up after 3 minutes and walked towards Galana River with a sigh of relief. A favourable prognosis was indicated for her recovery.
Case 4 – 13th September 2021 Buffalo
Snare
Galana Conservancy
Wire snare poaching continues to be a threat to wildlife in most parts of Africa. Despite bush meat trade being illegal in Kenya, some rural communities still practice it for personal/commercial consumption. The Tsavo Mobile Vet Unit received a report of a buffalo bull anchored to a tree with a wire snare around the neck. After tending to the zebra with dystocia, the team drove to the area to free the buffalo. Immobilisation, examination and treatment The buffalo was darted from a vehicle with 9mg Etorphine and 100mg Xylazine. He went into sternal recumbency after 4 minutes and was quickly secured and blindfolded. Water was doused on him to help cool the body before proceeding with removal of the wire snare. The snare was cut with a wire cutter and the abrasion wounds around the neck covered with antibiotic spray. The buffalo was administered 3,000mg Amoxicillin and 40mg Dexamethasone to cover for bacterial infections and pain/inflammation. Prognosis The anesthesia was reversed and the bull rose after 3 minutes and dashed into a nearby bush. The prognosis for recovery is good.
Case 5 – 14th September 2021 Zebra
Natural Causes
Voi Reintegration Unit
A report was received by the Tsavo Mobile Veterinary Unit concerning a zebra orphan at the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust- Voi Reintegration Unit that had sustained laceration wounds due to a lion attack. The Veterinary team visited the Voi stockade to attend to the zebra’s wounds. Immobilisation, examination and treatment The Vet found the zebra with multiple abrasion wounds and laceration wounds on the left and right rump. He was darted with 6mg Etorphine and 60mg Xylazine, and went down after 5 minutes. He was quickly secured, moved to a shade and blindfolded. The wounds were cleaned with water and flushed with normal saline then an antibiotic ointment applied. The wound edges were apposed by suturing with non-absorbable nylon suture in a simple interrupted suture pattern and covered with an antibiotic spray. The zebra was administered with 3000mg Amoxicillin and 30mg dexamethasone intramuscularly to manage bacterial infections and inflammation respectively. Prognosis The anesthetic was reversed with 24mg Diprenorphine. He rose after 3 minutes and walked towards some water nearby. The prognosis for recovery is favorable.
Case 6 – 15th September 2021 Hyena
Collaring
Sobo Rhino Sanctuary, Tsavo East NP
Collaring of wildlife enables scientists’ to study how animals use their habitat, the areas they prefer, how they travel and how environmental changes alter their behaviour. The Tsavo Mobile Veterinary Unit was involved in collaring four male spotted hyenas in the Sobo Rhino Sanctuary for scientific research. Collaring Exercise A call back system and carcasses were used to draw the animals out so that the Vet team could carry out the collaring exercise. A convenient location within the sanctuary was selected and Dik Dik carcasses were tightly tied to a tree as bait. Darts combining 2mg Medetomidine and 150mg Ketamine were prepared for use in tranquilizing the target hyenas. Callbacks of a buffalo calf in distress and hyenas feasting on a carcass were made while the vet team watched and waited to spot any animal activities. Once the target hyenas appeared, the vet successfully darted all four of them and full immobilization was achieved after 5 minutes. The four hyenas were secured, blood samples taken and GPS collars fitted. They were revived with 10mg Atipamezole and rose up after 3 minutes, still wobbly and walked away. Since no adverse reactions were noted, the hyenas are expected to live comfortably with the tracking devices.
Case 7 – 18th September 2021 Buffalo
Natural Causes
Ngutuni Conservancy, Tsavo East NP
The report was made by Ngutuni lodge staff of a Buffalo that was stuck in the water and could not stand despite the rest of the herd having moved away after watering. Examination The Vet team drove to the nearby sanctuary and upon close examination it was discovered that the buffalo couldn’t stand due to a severed Achilles tendon sustained from a probable Lion attack. Prognosis The extent of the injury was severe and with no veterinary remedy in the field, the animal was put down due to animal welfare considerations.
Case 8 – 22nd September 2021 Zebra
Natural Causes
Miasenyi, Tsavo East National Park
The Tsavo Mobile Veterinary Unit received a report of a lone zebra stallion in Miasenyi area noted to be weak and with limited mobility. The vet team drove to the area to assess his condition and perform the necessary veterinary intervention. Immobilisation, examination and treatment The zebra was found to be weak and dehydrated. A blindfold was put in place to avoid visual excitation and water poured on him to aid in thermoregulation before proceeding with treatment. Based on his condition, it was decided he be taken to the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust-Voi Reintegration Unit for close monitoring. He was administered with 20mg of Azaperone to aid in relaxation for transport to the Voi stockade. Prognosis The zebra later succumbed while under treatments.
Case 9 – 30th September 2021 Zebra
Natural Causes
Lake Jipe, Tsavo West
The Tsavo Mobile Vet Unit received a report of a lame zebra in the Lake Jipe Conservancy. Immobilisation, examination and treatment The vet found the zebra down and unable to stand. He was immobilized with 3mg of Etorphine and 40mg of Xylazine before commencing with physical examination. The stallion was found to be weak, dehydrated and in a poor body condition of 2.5/5. The left hindlimb HAD an old dislocation of the stifle joint that had fused and the right forelimb was sprained thus limiting mobility of the zebra. He was administered with 20mg Dexamethasone and 1500mg of Amoxicillin to cover for inflammation/pain and bacterial infections respectively. Prognosis He was revived with 12mg of diprenorphine and a poor prognosis for recovery indicated. The zebra later succumbed to the disease condition.