SWT/KWS MARA MOBILE VETERINARY UNIT
APRIL 2025
Cases in April 2025
April 2025 Report by Dr. Michael Njoroge
The Mara Mobile Vet Unit attended to 5 cases in April 2025 within the Masai Mara National Reserve, Naboisho Conservancy, Mara North Conservancy and Koiyaki Group Ranch. These cases included 3 elephants with arrow wounds, which were successfully treated, relocation of a problematic lion that was a habitual livestock predator and postmortem of a cheetah that died during complications of a collar deployment
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
15-Apr-25
16-Apr-25
cheetah was immobilized for collar deployment but developed shallow, rapid respiration and subsequently succumbed
arrow injury was on the lateral side of the right hind limb at the level of hock joint causing severe lameness
April 2025
Case 1 – 15th April 2025
Cheetah Postmortem Serena, Masai Mara NR
A male cheetah was immobilized for collar deployment as part of a routine exercise. The animal was successfully darted, but shortly after administration of the reversal agent, it developed shallow, rapid respiration and subsequently succumbed. A post-mortem was performed to establish the cause of death.
Postmortem Immobilisation
• Mucous membranes and tongue were markedly cyanotic but no external injuries
• The abdomen appeared distended
• The thoracic cavity was markedly reduced in size due to cranial displacement of the diaphragm
• Heart enlarged, surrounded by significant fat deposits
• Cyanosis of thoracic organs noted
• Stomach markedly distended with food and gas, causing diaphragmatic displacement
• Multiple intestinal torsions were observed along the small intestines
• Spleen, kidneys and liver were enlarged and severely congested
Cause of death
Complications arising from gastric dilatation-volvulus (GDV) and intestinal torsions, likely exacerbated by anaesthesia-related cardiopulmonary depression.
Elephant Arrow
Naibosho Wildlife Conservancy
This injured sub-adult female elephant at Naibosho Wildlife Conservancy was reported to the Mara Mobile Unit.
Immobilisation, examination and treatment
The elephant was immobilized with 15 mgs Etorphine hydrochloride and assessed for the extent of injury. The arrow injury was on the lateral side of the right hind limb at the level of hock joint causing severe lameness. The diagnosis was septic arthritis caused by the arrow injury. The wound was thoroughly cleaned and debrided, then sprayed with antibiotic sprat. The elephant was also given 50mg Flunixin (IM) as an antiinflammatory and 4,500mg Amoxicillin (IM) as an antibiotic
Reversal and prognosis
The antidote 300mgs Naltrexone was administered and the elephant was up within a few minutes with a good prognosis for a full recovery.
Case 23
Elephant Arrow
Mara North Conservancy
The rangers reported the injured elephant to the Mara Mobile Vet unit with an arrow injury at the Mara North Wildlife Conservancy.
Immobilisation, examination and treatment
The elephant was immobilized with 15mgs of Etorphine hydrochloride and assessed for the location and extent of injury caused. The arrow injury was at the right hind limb and left forelimb, swollen and oozing pus.
The wound was septic and required extensive cleaning and drainage of the pus plus topical application of antibiotic spray. The elephant was then given 2,000mg Flunixin anti-inflammatory and 15,000mg Amoxicillin antibiotics (both intramuscularly).
Reversal and prognosis
To reverse the anaesthetic, 300mgs Naltrexone antidote was administered intravenously, and the elephant was up after a few minutes of administration. The elephant has a fair to good prognosis.
Case
Elephant Arrow
Pardamat Conservancy
The injured elephant was reported to the Mara Mobile Vet with an arrow injury on the right forelimb
Immobilisation, examination and treatment
The elephant was immobilized with 16mg Etorphine and assessed for the extent of injury. The arrow injury was to the right forelimb causing a swollen joint and oozing pus consequently leading to severe lameness.
The elephant was suffering from suppurative arthritis caused by the arrow injury. To treat the wound, it was thoroughly cleaned and debrided of all tissue using water, Hydrogen peroxide and Iodine.
The elephant was also given 1,800mg Flunixin anti-inflammatory and 15,000mg Amoxicillin anti-biotics given intramuscularly
Reversal and prognosis
The Naltrexone 320mgs was administered intravenously, and the elephant was up after a few minutes of administration. Unfortunately, the prognosis is guarded to poor due to joint involvement.
Case 5 - 29th April 2025
Lion
Human-Wildlife Conflict
The lion was reported to enter a cage on the 29th of April, set by the Kenya Wildlife Service, after the reported incidents that the lioness had killed a total of 18 animals: 6 cows, 3 goats, and 9 sheep within the last four months at Kisher-moruak area by the residents. This particular lioness had previously escaped from the same trap on 14th February by forcing the door open.
Relocation and release
After arrival at the scene, the Unit found the lioness still secured within the trap. We reinforced the trap door using ropes to prevent a repeat escape. Shortly after, the Ewaso-Ngiro team and MEP joined us, and together we safely loaded the trap into the vehicle for relocation.
Upon arrival at the Maasai Mara National Reserve, we waited until morning for proper placement guidance. On the 30th of April 2025, the Mara Mobile Vet Unit, MEP, and MMNR jointly released the lioness at the Kisincha area within the reserve.
Prognosis
We are hopeful that her relocation will bring relief and renewed peace to the affected community.
Masai Mara