SWT/KWS MARA MOBILE VETERINARY UNIT
DECEMBER 2024
Cases in December 2024
December Report by Dr. Michael Njoroge
The Mara Mobile Vet Unit attended to 5 cases in December including 2 elephants with arrow wounds, one for natural causes and a post-mortem where the elephant died of old age. The Unit also treated a young lion who had suffered from injuries resulting from a territorial fight. The injuries were on both flanks and spinal region. All 4 medical intervention cases were given a good prognosis for a full recovery.
Acknowledgement
The Mara Mobile Veterinary Team greatly appreciates Elizabeth Scarlett for funding the Unit through the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust. The team also thanks Kenya Wildlife Service for providing technical support and all the conservation partners who contributed to the success of veterinary interventions through timely reporting of veterinary cases and monitoring of treated animals.
Case Details
6-Dec-24
Masai Mara NR Postmortem The elephant look emaciated, with prominent bones and lack of muscle Died
10-Dec-24 Elephant Shompole Arrow
The elephant had an arrowhead injury on the left forelimb. The arrow is likely to be poisoned
Treated 18-Dec-24
Masai Mara NR Natural Causes Suffered from injuries resulting from a territorial fight. The injuries were on both flanks and spinal region
Treated 23-Dec-24 Elephant Mara Triangle Natural Causes An elephant bull with a heavy swelling on the right forelimb. The elephant could hardly move Successfully Treated
24-Dec-24
Mara North Conservancy Arrow It was observed to have 3 arrow injuries on the right forelimb around the shoulder joint and spinal region. Successfully Treated
SWT/KWS Mara Mobile Vet Unit Treatment Locations
December 2024
Case
Elephant Postmortem
Masai Mara NR
The elephant was found dead inside MMNR by a team of rangers at Oloololo who were in patrol in an area called Sampuriai. The elephant is an adult female. The tusks were intact and were removed and takeN to oloololo to be collected by Transmara team and taken in to their custody.
Post-mortem examination
• The elephant looked emaciated, a sign of severe weight loss, with prominent bones and lack of muscle mass
• The skin was loose and wrinkled due to the loss of underlying fat and muscle
• The elephant had rough molars which is a sign that it was unable to chew its food effectively.
• Pale mucous membrane an indicative of anaemia
• Most of the significant organs were already consumed by the scavengers upon arrive hence not available for postmortem
Cause of death
The post-mortem findings indicate that the elephant died due to old age as she was 55 years of age.
Elephant Arrow Shompole, Kajiado Region
Mara vet attended to a male elephant in Shompole. The elephant had an arrow injury on the left forelimb. The arrow is likely to be poisoned due to the seriousness of the wound-Pus and heavily swollen limb.
Immobilisation, examination and treatment
The animal was darted successfully with 14mgs of Etorphine. It made some efforts to run away but was immobilized in seven minutes and then fell to the ground with a slight push and a rope so as to fall in the right direction.
The arrowhead was retrieved, and the wounds were cleaned with water, then cauterized with Hydrogen peroxide and lavaged with povidone Iodine. Topical antibiotic cream and spray were also applied. Systemically the elephant was given 30,000mg of Oxytetracycline and 50mgs Dexamethasone, administered intramuscularly.
Reversal and prognosis
It was revived using 170mgs Naltrexone into the ear vein and third of the drug intramuscularly. Prognosis for a full recovery is good.
Case 3 – 18th December 2024
Lion
Natural Causes
Masai Mara NR
Mara Mara vet attended to a male lion aged about 3.5 yrs who had suffered from injuries resulting from a territorial fight. The injuries were on both flanks and spinal region. They were infected and had pus.
Immobilisation, examination and treatment
A retreat was made to prepare a dart comprising of 300mgs Ketamine and 4mgs Medetomidine. The lion was approached with a vehicle and darted successfully on the pelvic muscle. It made no effort to disappear but relaxed and was completely sedated in ten minutes, then blindfolded and moved to the shade of the vehicle
The deep infected injury on the rear spinal region was cleaned with water, Hydrogen peroxide and povidone Iodine Amoxicillin 15,000mg was administered directly into the wound followed by Tetracycline (Alamycin) wound spray. Systemically it was injected with 15,000mgs Amoxicillin and 30mgs Dexamethasone into different muscle sites. For internal/external parasites it was injected with 40mgs Ivermectin under the skin.
Reversal and prognosis
The anaesthetic was reversed one hour post immobilization by injecting 20mgs Atipamezole intra-muscularly. He showied signs of palpebral reflex and ear twitching after half an hour then got 15 minutes later He joined and left with her pride one hour post revival. Prognosis is good and the lion will be monitored.
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Case 4 – 23rd December 2024
Elephant Natural Causes
Mara Triangle
Mara vet attended to an elephant bull with a heavy swelling on the right fore limb in Mara Triangle. The elephant could hardly move immobilization was done and a physical examination carried out.
Immobilisation, examination and treatment
A dart was prepared, and he was successfully darted from a helicopter on the hind quarters with 17mgs Etorphine. After ten minutes, the elephant stopped moving and swayed from side to side. Eventually, he was brought down onto sternal recumbence then onto its side using manpower and ropes. Both ears were used to cover the left and right eye shielding it from direct sunlight and dust. Water was doused on the animal to cool him down as the temperatures continued rising.
No physical injury was observed. Systemically it was given 30,000mg Oxytetracycline and 50mgs Dexamethasone, administered intramuscularly. Most probable cause is a fall causing muscle and tissue injury.
Reversal and prognosis
It was revived using 170mgs Naltrexone into the ear vein and a third of the drug intramuscularly
Prognosis is good. Monitoring of the elephant will be done by Mara Triangle Rangers.
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Elephant Arrow
Masai North
Mara vet attended to an injured male elephant in Mara North. It was observed to have 3 arrow injuries on the right forelimb around the shoulder joint and spinal region.
Immobilisation, examination and treatment
The elephant was darted from a helicopter in the hind quarters with 17mgs Etorphine. After 10 minutes the elephant was assisted to the ground by the Ground Teams then both ears were used to cover the left and right eye, shielding it from direct sunlight and dust. Water was doused on the animal to cool him down as the temperatures continued rising.
A swelling adjacent to the wound was incised so the pus could be drained out. The wounds were cleaned with water, then cauterized with Hydrogen peroxide and lavaged with povidone Iodine. Topical antibiotic cream and spray was also applied. Systemically the elephant was given 30,000mg Oxytetracycline and 50mgs Dexamethasone was administered intramuscularly.
Reversal and prognosis
It was revived using 170mgs Naltrexone. The prognosis is good, and monitoring continues.
