SWT/KWS AMBOSELI MOBILE VETERINARY UNIT
6 Cases in May 2025 2 HWC Cases 2 Elephant Cases
May Report by Dr.
Kariuki Edward
The Southern Conservation Area and the Amboseli Ecosystem experienced a period of minimal rain during May 2025 but, generally, the period was hot and dry. Six cases of veterinary concern were attended, and lions and elephants featured significantly. Human-wildlife conflict was evident from the cases attended. Territorial dominance was also expressed by the lion at Iltilal, and the lion that was attacked by hyenas at Sarena are in Amboseli.
Acknowledgement
We thank Sheldrick Wildlife Trust (SWT) for material support and Mobile Unit funding. KWS Staff, MWCT and BLF rangers for the field support and the monitoring of distressed wildlife in areas of interest are highly acknowledged and appreciated.
Case Details
May 2025
Lion
Postmortem
Kuku Group Ranch
A report of a dead lion was received from MWCT. The vet team visited Iltilal and conducted a necropsy.
Postmortem examination
The lion was initially found alive inside a water reservoir in the Iltilal area. It had fair body condition but struggled to stand and move.
On postmortem examination, the lion had a vertebral column fracture that likely explains the inability to move or stand resulting in drowning within the reservoir.
Cause of death
Respiratory complications following drowning in water.
Case
Elephant Natural Causes
Amboseli National Park
An elephant tusk was collected from the Amboseli area after an elephant bull (Vrosky) lost it during a territorial fight. AMVU visited Vrosky and examined the bull for injuries and possible treatment.
Examination
The elephant was successfully observed from a distance without being restrained or immobilised.
The elephant had one tusk, and injuries to the other tusk site were minimal and didn’t warrant any immobilisation or treatment. The elephant (Vrosky) is under close monitoring for natural healing
Prognosis
Prognosis is good but monitoring continues.
Lion
Postmortem
Amboseli National Park
A report of a lion that was attacked by hyenas was received by AMVU from the Park management. The vet team examined the carcass following the lion’s death.
Postmortem examination
The lion was found and collected from the Serena area and exhibited poor body condition. The lion had been attacked by hyenas, leading to injuries that caused severe secondary infections and death.
Cause of death
Complications following hyena-inflicted injuries
There are no pictorials for this case.
A dead lion was delivered to KWS headquarters in Amboseli for necropsy. The lion had been speared to death by a herder following a livestock attack. The vet team examined the lion carcass and recorded the findings
Postmortem examination
The lion was found in good body condition but had serious spear injuries that led to severe haemorrhage and death of the lion.
Cause of death
Hypovolemic shock following severe blood loss and respiratory complications.
Amboseli National Park
Case
Elephant Postmortem
Amboseli National Park
An elephant cow was found dead at the Oltukai area and was reported to AMVU on 21st May 2025. The AMVU team travelled to the site and conducted a postmortem examination.
Postmortem examination
The elephant cow was located in a bushy region in the community area. The carcass was bloated but fresh and not decomposed.
The carcass was cut open from the flank and the following changes recorded. The colon and caecum were twisted and demonstrated severe congestion and haemorrhages. The entire large intestine had haemorrhages. The hind gut was full of maize stalks and grain remains, which likely caused the colon twist.
Cause of death
Endotoxemia following colon torsion.
Case 6 – 24th May 2025
Lion
Human-Wildlife Conflict
A spear-injured lion was reported to AMVU by BLF and MWCT rangers
Chyulu Hills
Immobilisation and examination
The lion was successfully immobilised using a combination of 300mg of Ketamine and 4mg Medetomidine. The lion acquired full immobilisation in 20 minutes and later attained deep anaesthesia.
The lion demonstrated good body condition but had a spear through its body. The lion had bled profusely, as indicated by the blood pool around the cat. The lion succumbed shortly after immobilisation.
Cause of death
Hypovolemic shock following spear injury and excessive bleeding
