SWT/KWS AMBOSELI MOBILE VETERINARY UNIT
FEBRUARY 2025
Introduction
6 Cases in February
February Report by Dr. Kariuki Edward
2 HWC Cases 3 Elephant Cases
The Southern Conservation Area and, more importantly, the Amboseli Ecosystem experienced a hot and dry period in February 2025. Six cases of veterinary care involving elephants, lions, and giraffes were attended to during February. This included 3 post-mortems, 2 human-wildlife conflict cases and a speared giraffe.
Acknowledgement
We thank Sheldrick Wildlife Trust (SWT) for material support and Mobile Unit funding. KWS Staff, BLF rangers and others not mentioned but supported the monitoring of distressed wildlife in areas of interest are highly acknowledged and appreciated.
Case Details
February 2025
Case
Domestic Dog
Post-mortem
Kimana Sanctuary
A case was reported of domestic dogs that were found dead in Motikanju. The dogs were alleged to have died after eating meat that had been poisoned. The poison was allegedly kept for wildlife to take following livestock predation in Motikanju.
Post-mortem examination
The dogs had been collected by BLF rangers during their patrols in the conservancy and kept in their camp for veterinary examination. The dogs were put in a sack and kept under the soil to avoid consumption by scavengers. The dogs exhibited signs of bloat, diarrhoea, and exophthalmia.
Cause of death
The dogs died of suspected poisoning.
Elephant
Post-mortem
Kuku Group Ranch
An elephant bull was found dead in Kuku and reported to AMVU on 15 February 2025. The AMVU team travelled to the site and conducted a postmortem examination.
Post-mortem examination
The elephant cow was located in a thick bush and miles away from the community areas. The carcass was maximally bloated and decomposed. Additionally, it was eaten up by maggots and body fluids exudated. However, the elephant had a penetrating injury on the neck but could not be ruled out from normal maggot attacks.
Cause of death
The cause of death could not be concluded due to advanced decomposition.
Ostrich
Human-wildlife conflict
An injured ostrich was reported on the roadside to Amboseli
Examination and treatment
Amboseli
The ostrich was successfully restrained manually by five men
The ostrich suffered a complete metatarsal bone fracture and couldn’t stand or walk.
Prognosis and management
Prognosis was grave.
The ostrich was euthanized on welfare grounds. .
Case 4 – 23rd February 2025
Elephant Post-mortem Olare, Amboseli National Park
An elephant cow was found dead in Amboseli and reported to AMVU on 23rd February 2025. The AMVU team travelled to the site and conducted a postmortem examination.
Post-mortem examination
The elephant cow was located in open ground near the Amboseli water points. Chances are high she died on the way to the water point.
The carcass had excessive peritoneal fluids and heavy fibrin deposition. A lot of haemorrhages and congestion of most body organs
Cause of death
Suspected viral infection.
Case
5 – 25th February 2025
A giraffe that was found with a spear was reported to AMVU. The giraffe was examined visually and followed for immobilization.
Immobilisation, examination and treatment
The giraffe was immobilized using 15mg Etorphine and 50mg Azaperone.
A spear was retrieved, and the giraffe was treated with local and parenteral antibiotics and revived almost immediately after it was anaesthetised
Prognosis and management
Prognosis is poor, the injury had touched on the lung tissue and could cause pneumonia.
Giraffe Spear
Rombo Group Ranch
Case
6 – 28th February 2025
Elephant Post-mortem Neibala, Kitirua
A case was reported of an elephant that looked like was giving birth. The elephant was later observed dead after a day in the same area.
Post-mortem examination
The elephant presented with excessive oedema of the face and neck region, bloody discharges from the anus, trunk and ears. The carcass was not opened on the principle of being a suspected Anthrax case.
Cause of death
Suspected anthrax or a related disease.
