SWT/KWS Mt Kenya Veterinary Unit Report for February 2025
SWT/KWS MT KENYA MOBILE VETERINARY UNIT
FEBRUARY 2025
15 Cases in February 2025 2 Poaching Cases 7 Elephant Cases
February Report by Dr. Poghon J
During February 2025, there was an increase in the number of cases in the Mt. Kenya and Southern Laikipia area. The cases included translocation of an abandoned elephant calf to Sheldrick Wildlife Trust in Nairobi, translocation of various wildlife species from Ol Pejeta to Kampi Msituni Conservancy, an elephant autopsy and treatment of elephants in Meru National Park, Shaba Reserve and Mugie Ranch
Acknowledgement
The Mt. Kenya Mobile Wildlife Veterinary Unit thanks the Kenya Wildlife Service for providing leadership and technical expertise. The veterinary team also appreciates The Sheldrick Wildlife Trust (SWT) for providing the financial and logistical support that enables the Unit to fulfil its mandate.
SWT/KWS Mt Kenya Mobile Vet Unit Treatment Locations
February 2025
Case Details
3-Feb-25 Elephant Isiolo Rescue
8-Feb-25 Antelope Ol Pejeta Conservancy Relocation
15-Feb-25 Antelope Ol Jogi Conservancy Natural Causes
16-Feb-25 Elephant Meru National Park Postmortem
17-Feb-25
National Park Human Wildlife Conflict
18-Feb-25 Elephant Shaba Reserve Natural Causes
19-Feb-25 Lion Ol Jogi Conservancy Collared
19-Feb-25
An elephant calf was reported abandoned at Oldonyiro area of Isiolo County Taken to Orphanage
A total of 31 animals were successfully translocated Task Successful
The Kudu had a fracture of the right hind limb just above the hock Died
The elephant was reported to have died suddenly a few meters from the road Died
A young male elephant entered the fenced Murera staff quarters and has been disturbing the residence
The left front limb was examined and found to be swollen at the ankle joint Successfully Treated
Mounting Lions with collars for monitoring purposes is important to mitigate humanwildlife conflict
21-Feb-25 Elephant Mugie Conservancy Spear There was a deep puncture wound suspected to be a spear wound
22-Feb-25 Lion Ol Jogi Conservancy Collared
23-Feb-25 Lion Sosian Conservancy Collared
23-Feb-25 Lion Mugie Conservancy
24-Feb-25 Zebra Kisima
Mounting Lions with collars for monitoring purposes is important to mitigate humanwildlife conflict
Mounting Lions with collars for monitoring purposes is important to mitigate humanwildlife conflict
Mounting Lions with collars for monitoring purposes is important to mitigate humanwildlife conflict
Causes It was found that there was a vertical crack on the hoof wall
24-Feb-25 Elephant Oldonyiro Human Wildlife Conflict
26-Feb-25 Elephant Meru National Park Bullet Wound
The elephant was reported to have died from a suspected case of human wildlife conflict HWC Death
There was a deep puncture wound suspected to be caused by high velocity projectile
Case 1 – 3rd February 2025
Elephant Rescue Oldonyiro, Isiolo
An elephant calf was reported abandoned in the Oldonyiro area of Isiolo County and after several days of monitoring there was no elephant herd seen nearby. A request was made to KWS headquarters for the calf to be rescued and it was approved. Mt Kenya veterinary unit was tasked with the execution of the activity. The team rushed to the area and found community rangers keeping an eye on the calf.
Immobilisation and rescue
The calf was darted with 3mg Etorphine hydrochloride in combination with 20mg Azaperone, delivered using a Dan-Inject CO2 rifle, fired from foot in close proximity to the animal. The dart was delivered on the musculature of the right hip. The elephant calf went into left lateral recumbency after 5 minutes.
The calf was loaded onto a truck and transported to Olmalo airstrip where an aeroplane was waiting. The calf was loaded to the plane while still immobilized and fastened with ratchets. The calf was airlifted to Sheldrick Wildlife Trust (SWT) orphanage in Nairobi where it was offloaded and anaesthesia reversed. The calf will be cared until good age where it will be released to the wild.
Prognosis
Prognosis is good.
Antelope Relocation Ol Pejeta Conservancy
The KWS Mount Kenya Mobile Veterinary Unit (MVU) and the Northern Kenya MVU jointly conducted a wildlife translocation from Ol Pejeta Conservancy to Kambi Msituni Conservancy. A total of 31 animals were successfully translocated, including 4 giraffes (1 male, 3 females), 18 impalas (3 males, 15 females), 6 zebras (1 male, 5 females), 1 male Grant’s gazelle, and 2 female Thomson’s gazelles. The remaining wildlife scheduled for translocation will be relocated at a later date.
Immobilisation and translocation
Candidates for translocation were carefully selected based on predetermined criteria.
The zebras and giraffes were immobilized using Etorphine Hydrochloride and Azaperone tartate, tailored to each individual’s estimated weight and body condition. Once they were securely placed in the transport crates, Naltrexone was administered to counteract the effects of immobilization. Vehicles were used to drive and direct the antelopes toward nets, with multiple chases carried out during the night. Among the impalas, two males required chemical immobilization.
Upon arrival at Kampi Msituni, the giraffes were released into their new environment. All exhibited immediate signs of good adaptation, displaying normal behaviours and movement.
Kudu Natural Causes
Ol Jogi Conservancy
The lesser kudu wandered into Ol Jogi conservancy from Loisaba Conservancy where it was raised after being rescued. The Kudu had a fracture of the right hind limb just above the hock. The plan was to rescue the kudu and take it to Mt Kenya Wildlife Conservancy for rehabilitation.
Immobilisation and examination
The Kudu was darted with 5mg Etorphine hydrochloride in combination with 20mg of Azaperone, delivered using a Dan-Inject® CO2 rifle, fired from foot. The dart was delivered on the musculature of the right hip just close to the tail. The kudu went down after 8 minutes onto sternal recumbency. A blindfold was then applied to prevent stimulation by light and water poured to cool him down and oxygen given
Prognosis and management
The limb was examined and found to have complete open fracture of tibia and fibula. The antelope was moved to Mt Kenya Wildlife orphanage for better medical care but despite several efforts the fracture could not be repaired, and the Kudu was euthanized to alleviate further suffering.
Case 4 – 16th February 2025
Elephant Postmortem
Meru National Park
The elephant was reported by Meru national park management to have died suddenly a few meters from the road leading to Kinna in Meru National Park. The vet unit rushed to the area to undertake autopsy.
Postmortem examination
The carcass was estimated about 2 days old. The carcass was in mid-stage decomposition and heavily bloated.
• There was a higher volume than normal peritoneal effusions, which was blood tinged.
• There was presence of thick consolidated pus in the peritoneum caused by bacterial infection.
• The mesenteric blood vessels were dark red.
• Fibrinous adhesions were found widely distributed on the surface of the mesentery, large intestines and caecum.
• Some portions of the large intestines were empty of gut contents.
Cause of death
The postmortem findings indicated torsion of the intestines leading to rupture of intestinal wall, and subsequent leakage of contents into the peritoneum. This resulted in extensive fibrinous peritonitis, shock and eventual death of the elephant.
Case
Elephant
Human-Wildlife Conflict
Meru National Park
A young male elephant had entered the fenced Murera Staff Quarters from the larger Meru National Park and has been disturbing the residents, going to work and school going children. Several attempts were made to push the elephant into the park with no success.
Immobilisation, examination and treatment
The elephant was searched on foot but despite several hours of tracking he could not be located. Services of a helicopter was requested, and it arrived 2 hours later. The elephant was found after a few minutes search. And he was darted with 8mgs Etorphine Hcl and 30mgs Azaperone. He went down after 12 minutes. It was noticed he had a wound on the thigh which was treated.
The wound was managed topically; flushed with Hydrogen peroxide, Iodine solution, antibiotic pessaries and Opticlox cream. It was further sprayed with Oxytetracycline spray and sealed with green clay. The elephant was also given Dexamethasone, 80 mg IM and Ceftriaxone antibiotic 8000 mg, IM.
Translocation and prognosis
The elephant was loaded by a crane into a truck and transported into the Meru rhino sanctuary within Meru National Park and released. He walked away slowly into the Sanctuary.
Causes
Shaba National Reserve
A young elephant bull was reported to be lame in Shaba National Reserve.
Immobilisation, examination and treatment
The elephant was darted from a vehicle with 15 mgs of Etorphine Hcl propelled by a dan-inject dart. The elephant moved away from a swamp and onto the edge of the swamp and fell down in sternal recumbency. He was pushed to lateral recumbency for better respiration.
The left front limb was examined and found to be swollen at the ankle joint. No external wound was observed. Phenylbutazone and long-acting Amoxicillin was administered parenterally to the elephant. Further injection of vitamin B12 complex was also given.
Reversal and prognosis
As there was no other injury observed, the elephant was reversed by use of Naltrexone at 15 times the Etorphine dose and assisted to his feet with a vehicle as the area was swampy. He walked away slowly with a good prognosis.
Lion Collaring Ol Jogi, Mpala, Sosian and Mugie Conservancies
Lions play a critical role in the ecosystem. Anthropogenic factors have led to interference with this delicate balance where natural prey of lions have greatly reduced in numbers leaving predators with no option but to raid livestock in order to survive. Livestock predation has caused serious human-wildlife conflict in greater Laikipia region. Mounting Lions with collars for monitoring purposes is important to mitigate the problem.
Immobilisation, examination and treatment
The lions were searched for, located then darted from a vehicle by use of dan inject dart system using a mixture of Ketamine 300 to 600 mgs and 6-8 mgs Medetomidine depending on sex and body size. Subsequent top up was necessitated due to animal being light on anaesthesia. The lions were blindfolded to prevent light arousal and placed in a shade with occasional water splashed to cool them down. Collars were mounted and fastened leaving enough space not to impede feeding and respiration. Blood, tick and fecal samples were taken for laboratory diagnosis.
Reversal and prognosis
The lions were given between one hour and one and half hours for Ketamine to metabolize before being reversed using Atipamezole at 5 times the Medetomidine dose.
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Case 9 – 21st February 2025
Elephant Spear
Shaba National Reserve
A report was made of an injured female elephant at Mugie Conservancy by Rangers manning the conservancy. The vet team rushed to the area to assess and undertake treatment of the lame elephant
Immobilisation, examination and treatment
After a brief search the elephant was located near a dry river within Mugie Conservancy. Drugs and darting equipment were quickly prepared and the elephant approached by vehicle. The first dart was delivered on the rump, but the dart malfunctioned. A second dart was used with 16mg Etorphine, and it was a success. The elephant was immobile after 8 minutes and went into lateral recumbency.
There was a deep puncture wound, about 10 centimetre deep, near the carpal joint of the left hindlimb. The wound had pus and suspected to be a spear wound. The wound was flushed with Hydrogen peroxide, and Iodine solution. Oxytetracycline pessaries were put inside the wound. Topical antibiotic spray and Alamycin spray were applied. The wound was the sealed with green clay mixed with Iodine. The elephant was also given Amoxicillin, 30000 mg, Phenylbutazone, 6000 mg, Butasol 6000mg and Vitamin B12, 3000mg, IM.
Prognosis
Prognosis is guarded due to joint infection
Case 13 – 24th February 2025
Zebra Natural Causes Kisima, Samburu County
The zebra was reported by Grevy zebra trust rangers with lameness on the right hindlimb. The Mt Kenya Veterinary Unit rushed to the area and found the Community Rangers waiting to lead the team to where the injured zebra was located. The zebra was easily located accompanied by her young foal.
Immobilisation, examination and treatment
Darting method was done from foot with 7mg Etorphine and 60mg Azaperone using a Dan-inject dart gun. The zebra was followed slowly and went down after 5 minutes.
The Grevy zebra was observed to be limping on its right hind limb. On close examination, it was found that there was a vertical crack on the hoof wall, on the lateral aspect of the right hind foot. The hoof was trimmed due to hoof overgrowth and to reduce pressure on the cracked section. The crack was managed topically with Hydrogen peroxide, Iodine solution, Alamycin spray and green clay. The zebra was also given Amoxicillin, 6,000 ug IM and Phenylbutazone, 3000 mg, IM.
Reversal and prognosis
The treatment was successful and improved the recovery of the animal by alleviating pain and managing secondary infections.
Case
Elephant
Human-Wildlife Conflict Kirimon, Samburu County
The elephant was reported to have died from a suspected case of human wildlife conflict at Kirimon Community, Samburu County.
Postmortem examination
The carcass was estimated to be about 24-36 hours old since dead. The carcass was lying on its left side.
An elliptical puncture wound, about 4cm was found on the right thoracic surface. The wound was oozing bloody exudate.
On further examination where the skin, subcutis and intercostal muscles were exposed, it was found that the puncture wound extended deep through the intercostal muscles into the right apical lung.
Cause of death
The findings indicated a puncture wound by a sharp-edged object through the right thorax into the right lung causing the death of the elephant.
Case 15 – 26th February 2025
Elephant Bullet Wound
Meru National Park
The elephant was reported with a history of serious lamness on the left forelimb caused by unknown cause. Because the the Meru Veterinary unit was away, Nanyuki based Mt Kenya veterinary unit responded to the case.
Immobilisation, examination and treatment
The elephant was darted from a helicopter with 15mg Etorphine.
The elephant was limping, with weight-bearing lameness noted on the left forelimb.
There was a deep puncture wound suspected to be caused by high velocity projectile near the metacarpal joint of the left forelimb. The wound was infected and oozing pus. The wound was flushed deep with Hydrogen peroxide and Iodine solution. Oxytetracycline and Opticlox pessaries were put inside the wound. Topical antibiotic spray was applied, Alamycin spray. The wound was then sealed with green clay mixed with Iodine. The elephant was also administered Amoxicillin, 30000 mg IM. And Phenylbutazone, 10400 mg, IM.
Prognosis
The nature of the wound bears a guarded prognosis, but the treatment will ease pain and suffering and give better chance of recovery.
