SWT/KWS MARA MOBILE VETERINARY UNIT
May Report by Dr. Michael Njoroge
During May, the Mara Veterinary Unit attended to 7 cases involving 1 lion, 1 White rhino and 5 elephants. The lion was treated for territorial fight wounds and should make a full recovery. Three of the elephants were treated for spear wounds which can be from poaching attempts, and at least one was most likely due to human-wildlife conflict – speared to prevent crop raiding, and another for bullet wound injuries. A postmortem was carried out on one elephant which died due to natural causes.
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. 7 Cases in May 2025 2 Poaching Case
Case Details
14-May-25
16-May-25
21-May-25
26-May-25
Causes Fight wounds were on the head, scrotum, right shoulder, left hindlimb and front limb
Wildlife
This elephant had been recumbent for a while due to spear wounds to the left hindlimb, right rump and left forelimb
The white rhino was reported to have sustained injuries from territorial fights
Wound There was a massive swelling at the joint of the right forelimb likely from a bullet
May 2025
Elephant Spear
Siana Community
The injured elephant was reported to the Mara Mobile Vet with a spear injury to the left rump.
Immobilisation, examination and treatment
The elephant was immobilized with 17mg Etorphine and assessed for the extent of injury. The spear injury was at the left rump, oozing pus and an abscess had formed
The wound was debrided and cleaned with Hydrogen peroxide then flushed with Iodine. Topical antibiotic cream was also applied.
The elephant was also given 1,800mg Flunixin Meglumine as an anti-inflammatory and 12,000mg Amoxicillin antibiotic to cover for infection.
Reversal and prognosis
Naltrexone 340mgs was administered intravenously, and the elephant was up after a few minutes of antidote administration. Prognosis is fair to good.
Elephant
Postmortem
Naboisho Wildlife Conservancy
On May 16, 2025, a report was received of a deceased adult male elephant at Naboisho Wildlife Conservancy. The carcass was located by the Conservancy Rangers and was intact with no evidence of poaching or human interference. The animal was believed to have been involved in a territorial fight before its death.
Postmortem examination
• The elephant was in left lateral recumbency
• Rigor mortis had partially set in
• Bilateral abdominal distension
• No signs of gunshot wounds, snare injuries, or other human-induced trauma
• Superficial abrasions and tusk-induced inflicted contusions observed on the trunk, flanks, and hindquarters are consistent with recent aggressive interactions
• Extensive hemorrhage observed in the pleural space
• Lungs were severely congested, with multiple hematomas
• Pulmonary hemorrhage noted throughout the parenchyma, both lungs were oedematous with visible rupture of alveolar and capillary structures
• Heart appeared grossly normal, however pericardial space showed minor haemorrhagic effusion likely secondary to trauma
• Minor bruising of the liver and spleen
Cause of death
Hypovolemic shock due to acute internal haemorrhage and pulmonary trauma. Severe thoracic injury sustained, resulting in fatal damage to lungs and associated vascular structures.
The adult bull elephant died of natural causes following a fatal injury likely sustained during a territorial fight with another elephant.
There are no pictorials for this case.
Case 3 – 16th May 2025
Elephant
Human-wildlife conflict
Mara Triangle
On May 16, 2025, a report was received of an injured adult male elephant within the Mara Triangle wildlife conservancy. Upon locating the animal, visual examination confirmed non-weight bearing on the right forelimb. The animal exhibited restlessness and reluctance to bear weight on the affected limb.
Immobilisation, examination and treatment
The elephant was immobilized with 15 mgs of Etorphine hydrochloride.
There was an embedded long 1.5m metallic spear at the plantar surface (foot pad region) of the right forelimb, causing swelling and tenderness around the site of penetration with evidence of localized infection, resulting in lameness. The nature of the injury suggests probable involvement in a human-elephant conflict.
The spear was retrieved, and the resulting wound was debrided of necrotic tissue, lavaged and sprayed with Oxytetracycline antibiotic spray. 2,000mg Flunixin anti inflammatory and 15,000mg Amoxicillin antibiotic were administered.
Prognosis
Fair to Good. The elephant showed signs of improvement post-treatment.
Case 4 – 21st May 2025
Lion
Natural Causes
Masai Mara
The following is a report on a wound management case for a lion with many wounds possibly caused by fighting with another male lion. The lion had been lying down in the same spot for the past 5 days.
Immobilisation, examination and treatment
The lion was immobilized using a combination of Ketamine and Medetomine each at values of 300mg and 4mg respectively. Darting was done via a vehicle using the Dan-Inject dart gun.
The lion was emaciated with a body condition score of 2.5/5. There were fight wounds on the head, on the perineum extending to one side of the scrotum, right shoulder, left hind limb, left front limb The wound on the head, right shoulder and perineum were communicating wounds. The lion also had a small nodular mass on the right forelimb. The wound was lavaged with Hydrogen peroxide to flush out any organic debris then flushed with Iodine. Clay was used as sealant there afterwards. The lion was then given 10,500mg Biocillin, 70mgs Colvasone and 100mg Ivermectin as well as ringer's lactate IV and Normal Saline (500mls each).
Reversal and prognosis
The anaesthetic was reversed with 25mg Atipamezole. The lion has a fair prognosis.
Case
Human-wildlife conflict
Mara Triangle
This elephant had a young calf and had been recumbent for a while due to spear wounds on the left hindlimb, right rump and on the left forelimb.
Immobilisation, examination and treatment
Chemical immobilization was used for the adult while her calf was restrained physically. The elephant was darted from a helicopter with 17mg Etorphine. Induction time was 10 minutes.
The wound was first washed with water then lavaged with Hydrogen peroxide to clear out any organic matter and thereafter flushed with Iodine. 2,400 mg of Alamycin long-acting antibiotic was administered as an antibiotic, 5,000mg Flunixin Meglumine as an analgesic and 100gm Ivermectin as an anthelmintic against internal and external parasites.
Prognosis
Naltrexone (400mg) was administered to reverse the antibiotic and mother, and calf were reunited. Prognosis is fair. This case is an example of human wildlife conflict. Spear wounds are usually a result of the punishments /deterring of elephants that are involved in crop raiding and perceived conflicts.
White rhino Natural Causes
Solio Ranch
The adult white rhino was reported to the veterinary unit to have sustained injuries from territorial fights by the Solio Ranch veterinary unit. The intervention necessitated the use of a helicopter for quick intervention.
Immobilisation, examination and treatment
The adult male white rhino was identified and immobilized with 4mgs of Etorphine hydrochloride and 60 mgs of Azaperone hydrochloride. After a few minutes of chemical darting with the immobilization drug, the rhino showed signs of a hackney gait, showing immobilization. An attempt was done to physically bring down the rhino to a sternal recumbency by tying the hind limbs with a rope and physically pushing to its side
The rhino had multiple fight injuries to the buccal cavity, right and left forelimb, right hindlimb, and inguinal region with a body score of 3/5. The wounds were cleaned with Hydrogen peroxide and Iodine, then a topical antibiotic spray was applied. The rhino was also given 1,000mg Flunixin, 3,000mg Amoxicillin and Chloretracycline pessaries.
Reversal and prognosis
Prognosis is good. Monitoring was advised to check on the progression and recovery of the adult male rhino.
Case 7 – 28th May 2025
Elephant Bullet Wound Mutara, Laikipia
A report was received of an injured adult male elephant within Laikipia County. Upon locating the animal, a visual examination confirmed that the gait was deliberate, with a one-step-at-a-time approach, favouring the left forelimb. The animal exhibited restlessness and reluctance to bear weight on the affected limb.
Immobilisation, examination and treatment
The elephant was immobilized with 17mgs Etorphine hydrochloride and assessed for the location and extent of injury caused. There was a massive swelling at the carpal joint of the right forelimb, oozing pus on manipulation. The nature of the injury suggests probable involvement in a gunshot injury.
The wound was first cleaned with water, then the necrotic tissue was debrided with Hydrogen Peroxide. Iodine was used to flush the wound before Chlortetracycline pessaries were inserted and finally Oxytetracycline ointment and spray were applied. The elephant was also given 5,000mg Flunixin meglumine anti-inflammatory and 30,000mg Amoxicillin antibiotic.
Prognosis
Naltrexone (300mg) was administered to reverse the antibiotic, and the elephant was up after a few minutes of administration with a fair prognosis. Monitoring showed signs of improvement post-treatment.
