SWT/KWS Meru Mobile Veterinary Report for Janaury 2025
SWT/KWS MERU MOBILE VETERINARY UNIT
JANUARY 2025
4 Cases in January 3 Poaching Cases
January Report by Dr.
Aminga Duncan
1 Elephant Case
In January, the Meru ecosystem experienced a notable increase in both diurnal and nocturnal temperatures. The previously verdant landscape rapidly transformed into an arid, dusty terrain. Numerous rivers exhibited a marked reduction in water levels, prompting wildlife to congregate at water sources in pursuit of forage and hydration. The dry spell led to an increase in poaching incidents, with the Meru Mobile Veterinary Unit addressing cases of wildlife ensnared by wire traps.
During this period, the veterinary team managed four wildlife cases. Within Meru National Park, they treated a male plains zebra, a male reticulated giraffe, and a buffalo bull for wire snares entangled around their necks, with all cases exhibiting a good prognosis for recovery. In the Ntangilia area of Tigania East, the team conducted a necropsy on a female elephant suspected to have succumbed to Human-Wildlife Conflict.
Acknowledgement
We would like to express our deep gratitude to Sylvie Chantecaille and the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust for their generous and continuous support in funding the operations of the Meru Mobile Veterinary Unit within the Meru ecosystem. This vital contribution has been essential in ensuring the health and well-being of the wildlife in this important conservation area. We also extend our sincere thanks to the Kenya Wildlife Service for their key role in providing strong managerial oversight, particularly through the KWS-Head of Veterinary Services and the Senior Assistant Director of the Eastern Conservation Area. Their commitment and collaborative efforts have been crucial to the success and long-term sustainability of our conservation work. With such unwavering support and valuable partnerships, we are able to make significant progress in preserving our natural heritage for future generations.
Case Details
January 2025
Case
Meru National Park
The Veterinary Unit, during a routine patrol, encountered a herd of plains zebras with one adult male exhibiting abnormal behaviour, characterized by social withdrawal and prolonged periods of inactivity. This prompted a closer examination which revealed a tightly constricted wire snare around the zebra’s neck.
Immobilisation, examination and treatment
The zebra was approached using a vehicle and immobilized via remote darting on the rump with a combination of 8mgs Etorphine hydrochloride and 80mgs Azaperone The drugs took effect rapidly, and the animal achieved sternal recumbency within seven minutes.
A wire snare constricting the neck was carefully removed using wire cutters. The snare was found to have inflicted a substantial injury to the cervical musculature. The resulting wounds were cleaned with water, debrided with Hydrogen peroxide, thoroughly flushed with Iodine then packed with green clay and further covered with an antibiotic aerosol to prevent fly infestation. The animal also received an intramuscular administration of 60mgs Dexamethasone to manage inflammation and 3,000 mgs Oxytetracycline to prevent bacterial infections. Additionally, metabolic stimulants were administered to support physiological recovery.
Prognosis
The anaesthetic was reversed, and the zebra stood within two minutes and joined its herd. Prognosis is good.
Zebra Snared
Case 2 – 18th January 2025
Giraffe Snared
Meru National Park
The SWT/KWS Meru Mobile Veterinary Unit received a distressing report on the afternoon of January 18, 2025, regarding a male reticulated giraffe sighted in Meru National Park with a wire snare tightly constricting its head and neck. The team swiftly mobilized and proceeded to the reported location.
Immobilisation, examination and treatment
The giraffe was sighted browsing along a riverbank within a group of ten individuals. To ensure safe terrain for treatment, the giraffes were carefully herded away from the river using a vehicle. To facilitate the immobilization of the snared adult male, a brief pursuit was necessary, after which he was successfully darted in the rump with a combination of 15mgs Etorphine hydrochloride and 40mgs Azaperone. The drugs took effect rapidly, and after approximately 10 minutes, the giraffe was skilfully and safely restrained using ropes. His head and neck were secured and pinned to the ground to allow for thorough examination.
Clinical assessment confirmed that the snare had not resulted in significant trauma, particularly to the head, due to timely intervention. Consequently, no additional medical treatments were required. The snare was carefully removed, and the anaesthesia was reversed with 200mg Naltrexone.
Prognosis
The giraffe was successfully revived, standing within two minutes post-reversal, with a good prognosis for a full recovery.
Elephant
Human-Wildlife Conflict
Tigania East
On 19th January 2025, the Meru Mobile Veterinary Unit received a report regarding the sighting of an elephant carcass in the Ntangilia area of Tigania East. The team proceeded to the site of the carcass and, with the assistance of various Kenya Wildlife Service personnel, conducted a comprehensive necropsy.
Post-mortem examination
The carcass was discovered in a sternal position, with the tusks already retrieved by the KWS. The surrounding area had substantial disturbance suggesting evidence of a struggle preceding death. Despite scavenging, the elephant demonstrated adequate fat and muscle coverage along the spinal column, indicating a fair body condition. A large wound, approximately 4 inches in length, was observed near the temporal bone adjacent to the ears. This wound, suspected to have resulted from a gunshot, showed no correlation with internal organ damage. There were no significant injuries to the cranial bones or soft tissues, which were also free of significant haemorrhage or congestion, suggesting the absence of major trauma. The carcass had been extensively scavenged, resulting in the loss of multiple organs and significant portions of the muscle tissue, thereby hindering the ability to conduct a comprehensive and conclusive necropsy.
Cause of death
Due to extensive scavenger activity, a definitive cause of death was not possible. However, the location of the carcass within agricultural land strongly suggests that the animal succumbed to injuries associated with human-wildlife conflict.
Case
Buffalo Snared
Meru National Park
The SWT/KWS Meru Mobile Veterinary Unit received a report from the Meru Rhino fence maintenance team, indicating that during a routine patrol, they sighted a male African buffalo with a wire snare constricting its head and neck in the Mulika area of Meru National Park. The team maintained visual surveillance of the buffalo's movements while the veterinary unit team mobilized to the reported location.
Immobilisation, examination and treatment
The male African buffalo was found in the company of two other bulls within a dense thicket along the Mulika River, wallowing in mud to thermoregulate and seeking shade from the intense afternoon sun. The buffalo had a wire snare tightly constricting its right horn and neck. To facilitate a safe intervention, the herd was carefully herded to an open area using a vehicle. The snared bull was then chemically immobilized following a brief pursuit, by darting on the rump with a combination of 7mgs of Etorphine and 80mgs Azaperone. The drugs took effect within five minutes, and the animal assumed sternal recumbency.
Examination confirmed that the snare had not inflicted significant soft tissue or vascular damage, thus negating the need for further medical intervention. The wire snare was carefully removed, and the anaesthesia was reversed using 150mgs of naltrexone, administered intravenously via the auricular vein.
Prognosis
The buffalo regained consciousness within two minutes and quickly stood up, displaying no signs of distress.
