SWT/KWS Mara Mobile Veterinary Report for February 2025
SWT/KWS MARA MOBILE VETERINARY UNIT
FEBRUARY 2025
Introduction
8 Cases in February 5 Poaching Cases
February Report by Dr. Michael Njoroge
The Mara Vet Unit attended to 8 cases in the month of February. There were 5 elephant cases, all of which were related to poaching (3 arrow wounds and 2 spear wounds). The Unit also attended to a lion and a White rhino for natural causes as well as assisted in ear notching/tagging 15 Black rhino.
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
February 2025
Case
Lion
2025
Natural Causes
Masai Mara National Reserve
Mara vet attended to Oloimina, a male lion at Maji ya fisi area in Maasai Mara Nat Reserve. The lion had suffered from a serious territorial fight. The wounds were on both flanks and heavily infected with maggots.
Immobilisation, examination and treatment
The lion was darted from a vehicle with 300mgs Ketamine and 4mgs Medetomidine. He made no effort to disappear after darting but relaxed. He was completely sedated in ten minutes then blindfolded and moved to the shade of the vehicle.
The wounds were debrided and cleaned with water, then Hydrogen peroxide and finally povidone Iodine. 15,000mg of Amoxicillin was injected into the wound followed by Tetracycline (Alamycin) wound spray. Systemically the lion was injected with 15,000mgs Amoxicillin and 30mgs Dexamethasone into different muscle sites. For internal and external parasites, she was injected with 40mgs Ivermectin under the skin.
Revival and prognosis
The anaesthetic was reversed and the lion walked away 1 hour later. Prognosis is good with follow up.
Elephant Arrow
Olkinyei Conservancy
This was a female elephant in Olkinyei with arrow injury on the right forelimb.
Immobilisation, examination and treatment
A dart was prepared, and he was successfully darted on the hind quarters with 10mgs Etorphine. Upon immobilisation, 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.
The arrow was retrieved, and the wounds were cleaned with water, then cauterized with Hydrogen peroxide and lavaged with povidone Iodine. Topical antibiotic cream and spray was applied. Systemically the elephant was given 30,000mg of Oxytetracycline and 50mgs Dexamethasone administered intramuscularly.
Revival and prognosis
The elephant was revived using 170mgs Naltrexone into the ear vein and a third of the drug intramuscularly Prognosis is good.
Case
Elephant Arrow
Naboisho Conservancy
This was a male juvenile elephant with arrow injury on the left forelimb in Naboisho.
Immobilisation, examination and treatment
The animal was darted successfully with 14 mgs Etorphine, it made some efforts to run away. It was immobilized in seven minutes and then fell to the ground with the help of a rope so it would 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 was applied. Systemically it was given 30,000mg of Oxytetracycline and 50mgs Dexamethasone intramuscularly.
Revival and prognosis
The elephant was revived using 170mgs Naltrexone into the ear vein and a third of the drug intramuscularly Prognosis is good. .
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Case
Elephant Spear
Siana Conservancy
This was a male adult elephant with a spear injury on the left hind limb and rear, close to the spine.
Immobilisation, examination and treatment
The animal was darted successfully with 14mgs Etorphine Once the drugs took effect, it was helped to the ground so it would fall on the right side for treatment.
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 was applied. Systemically it was given 30,000mg of Oxytetracycline and 50mgs Dexamethasone intramuscularly.
Revival and prognosis
The elephant was revived using 170mgs Naltrexone into the ear vein and a third of the drug intramuscularly Prognosis is good.
White Rhino Natural Causes
Ol Chorro Conservancy
This was a male white rhino at Ol chorro with an eye infection oozing pus.
Immobilisation, examination and treatment
A dart was prepared, and he was successfully darted in the hind quarters with 4mgs Etorphine and 60mgs Azaperone. Oxygen was provided nasally for ventilation. Butorphanol 10mg was administered intravenously to modulate respiratory depression.
The rhino was treated with a subconjunctival injection of amoxicillin and dexamethasone. Systemically given 30,000mg Oxytetracycline and 60mgs Flunixine meglumine was administered intramuscularly to ease the pain.
Prognosis
Prognosis is good. Monitoring of the rhino will be done by patrol rangers. .
Elephant Spear
Lemek Conservancy
This was a case of a juvenile male elephant with an arrow injury at the knee joint. The wound was sceptic and with a swelling full of pus.
Immobilisation, examination and treatment
The animal was darted successfully with 14mgs Etorphine.
Once the elephant was immobilised the wound was cleaned with water, Hydrogen peroxide and lavaged with povidone Iodine. Topical antibiotic cream and spray was applied.
The elephant was also administered with 30,000mg Oxytetracycline and 50mgs Dexamethasone intramuscularly.
Revival and prognosis
The elephant was revived using 170mgs Naltrexone into the ear vein and a third of the drug intramuscularly. Prognosis is good
Elephant Spear
Isaten Conservancy
Mara Vet team attended to a male elephant in Isaten with a spear injury on the left forelimb at the hock joint and the hind spinal region. This was a second treatment though the elephant showed great improvement.
Immobilisation, examination and treatment
The animal was darted successfully with 14mgs Etorphine.
Once the elephant was immobilised the wound was cleaned with water, Hydrogen peroxide and lavaged with povidone Iodine. Topical antibiotic cream and spray was applied.
The elephant was also administered with 30,000mg Oxytetracycline and 50mgs Dexamethasone intramuscularly.
Revival and prognosis
The elephant was revived using 170mgs Naltrexone into the ear vein and a third of the drug intramuscularly. Prognosis is good .
Case 8 – 26th February 2025
Candidates were identified based on their territories, individual attributes such as age, unique body features, size, companion, and sex.
Immobilisation, examination and treatment
Once a suitable candidate was identified, the rhino was driven by helicopter to an open field for darting while the ground teams were directed to a convenient location for ease of access. Aerial and ground teams were in constant communication during the darting exercise. All rhinos were captured by chemical immobilization by helicopter darting and processed by the ground team. The amount of drugs given varied dependent on age, body size and terrain.
Vital parameters were monitored regularly including respiration rate, heart rate, blood oxygen saturation and capillary refill rate (CRT) by use of a pulse oximeter while body temperature was monitored by a digital thermometer per rectal. Whilst under constant monitoring, the rhinos were ear notched and tagged then the drugs were reversed.
The task was successful and a total of 15 rhinos were ear notched and tagged.
Black Rhino Technical, Ear Notching Masai Mara National Reserve
