MARCH 2026
March Report by Dr.
Titus Kaitho
The Unit attended to 12 cases in March, the majority of which were snare injuries to various species including zebra, buffalo, eland, giraffe, hyena and warthog. Snaring continues to be a problem within the Naivasha area. The Unit also attended to a Human-Wildlife Conflict case where a hippo was hit by a vehicle.
Acknowledgement
We sincerely thank Sheldrick Wildlife Trust (SWT), especially Angela Sheldrick (CEO) for support, resources & sponsorship of the Rift Valley Mobile Veterinary Unit. Wildlife Research & Training Institute (WRTI) supported the activities by hosting staff at WRTI. We sincerely thank all stakeholders and scouts and all who reported wildlife cases in distress. Thank you all.
Case Details
Date Species Area Found
9-Mar-26 Zebra Oserengoni Sanctuary Snared
10-Mar-26 Giraffe Naivasha Snared
12-Mar-26 Hyena Naivasha Snared
13-Mar-26 Other Naivasha HWC
13-Mar-26 Buffalo Naivasha Snared
16-Mar-26 Other Naivasha Snared
17-Mar-26 Zebra Naivasha Natural Causes
20-Mar-26 Zebra Naivasha Snared
20-Mar-26 Zebra Naivasha Snared
9-Mar-26 Zebra Oserengoni Sanctuary Snared
10-Mar-26 Giraffe Naivasha Snared
12-Mar-26 Hyena Naivasha Snared
The zebra had been snared and wounded on the neck and lacerations on the legs Successfully Treated
The giraffe had been snared by wire snare on the left hind leg
Treated
The hyena had been snared and wounded by a long winch wire snare on the thorax Poaching Death
The hippo had been knocked down by a speeding motorist HWC Death
The male buffalo had been tethered on tree on the neck by a long wire snare Successfully Treated
The warthog had been severely wounded by a winch wire snare around the chest Successfully Treated
The zebra had been wounded on the left hind leg due to rocky terrain habitat Successfully Treated
The zebra had been wounded by a wire snare on the left front leg Successfully Treated
The zebra had been snared on the neck by a long wire Successfully Treated
The zebra had been snared and wounded on the neck and lacerations on the legs Successfully Treated
The giraffe had been snared by wire snare on the left hind leg Successfully Treated
The hyena had been snared and wounded by a long winch wire snare on the thorax Poaching Death
SWT/KWS Rift Valley Mobile Vet Unit Treatment Locations
March 2026
Zebra Snared Oserengoni Wildlife Sanctuary
This case was reported by Oserengoni Wildlife Sanctuary security staff
Immobilisation, examination and treatment
The zebra was darted using 5mg Etorphine plus 60mg Azaperone.
On examination the zebra had been snared and wounded by a long wire snare on the neck and had lacerations on the legs. The wounds were cleaned with water then rinsed with tincture of Iodine. A fly repellent (Alamycin Aerosol) was applied. The zebra was also administered the following;
• Damox - LA ® (Amoxicillin 15% w/v) injection 9,000mg by IM route
• Flumeg (Flunixin Meglumine 5%) 300 mg by IM route
• Noromectin® 1% w/v (Ivermectin) 5mL by SQ route
• Catasol 40 mL by IM route
Prognosis
The prognosis is good. .
.
Giraffe Snared Wileli Conservancy, Naivasha
This case was reported by Wileli Conservancy security staff
Immobilisation, examination and treatment
The male giraffe was darted using 14mg Etorphine plus 60mg Azaperone. On induction of anaesthesia the giraffe accidentally plunged into the lake waters of Lake Naivasha. We promptly mounted an operation to rescue and save the giraffe from drowning. We used many ropes to tug the giraffe to shore by using a vehicle on the shores of the lake. Anaesthesia was promptly reversed using Naltrexone 200mg given rapidly by IV route. We hoisted the head upright to save ingestion and inhalation of water.
On examination the giraffe had been snared by wire snare on the left hind leg. We promptly removed the leg wire snare and released the giraffe. KWS/SWT snare retrieval team assisted in the rescue.
Prognosis
The prognosis is good.
Case 3 – 12th March 2026
The hyena was darted using 150mg Ketamine and 2mg Medetomidine.
On examination the hyena had been snared and wounded by a long winch wire snare on the thorax.
Unfortunately, due to severe perforating injuries on the chest cavity by the wire snare, the hyena succumbed to death. The hyena carcass was disposed at Hells Gate NP.
Case 4 – 13th March 2026
The female hippopotamus had been knocked down by a speeding motorist along Moi South Lake Road.
After assessment and clinical examination, the hippopotamus had suffered a grave injury of the spinal cord and had paralyzed hind legs. She was in a dog sitting position and could only attempt to drag herself to move.
The case had a poor prognosis. The hippopotamus was put to rest
Case 5 – 13th March 2026
Buffalo
The buffalo was darted using 9mg Etorphine combined with 40mg Azaperone.
On examination the male buffalo had been tethered to a tree by the neck using a long wire snare. The wire snare was deeply strangulating. The snared had also wounded the legs. The wounds were cleaned then the buffalo was administered 12,000mg Alamycin, 8ml Noromectin and 40ml Butasal
Prognosis is good.
Case 6 – 16th March 2026
The warthog was darted using 4mg Etorphine and 20mg azaperone.
On examination the warthog had been snared and severely wounded by a winch wire snare on the chest. The wounds were cleaned with water and with tincture of Iodine then sprayed with a fly repellant (Alamycin). We also administered 6,000mg Damox - LA (Amoxicillin 15% w/v), 100mg Flumeg (Flunixin Meglumine), 2ml Noromectin and 20ml Butasal.
Prognosis is good.
Case 7 – 17th March 2026
Zebra Snared Color Crops Farm, Naivasha
The zebra was immobilised with a dart containing 5mg Etorphine plus 60mg Azaperone.
On examination the zebra had been wounded on the left hind leg. The cause of the wound was due to rocky terrain habitat. We cleaned the wound with water and rinsed the same using tincture of Iodine then sprayed with Alamycin fly repellant The zebra was also administered 9,000mg Damox (Amoxicillin), 250mg Flumeg (Flunixin Meglumine 5%) 6ml Noromectin and 40ml Catasol. Prognosis is good.
Case 8 – 20th March 2026
Zebra Snared Aquilla Farm, Naivasha
The zebra was darted with 5mg Etorphine combined with 60mg azaperone.
On examination the zebra had been wounded by a wire snare on the left front leg that had self-released. The zebra had other lacerations on the neck due to the long wire snare. The resultant wounds were cleaned with water, rinshed with Iodine and sprayed with Alamycin fly repellent. The zebra was also adminstered 9,000mg Damox - LA (Amoxicillin), 300mg Flumeg (Flunixin Meglumine 5%) 6ml Noromectin (Ivermectin) and 40ml Catasol
Prognosis is good. .
Case 9 – 20th March 2026
Zebra Snared Aquilla Farm, Naivasha
The zebra was immobilised with a dart containing 5mg Etorphine plus 60mg Azaperone.
On examination the zebra had been snared on the neck by a long wire. The long wire snare had wounded the zebra on the brisket region and lacerations on the leg. We cleaned the wounds using water and rinsed the same using tincture of Iodine. A fly repellant spray (Alamycin) was applied. The zebra was also administered 9,000mg Damox (Amoxicillin), 300mg Flumeg (Flunixin Meglumine 5%) 6ml Noromectin and 40ml Catasol. Prognosis is good.
Case 10 – 22nd March 2026
Buffalo Snared Loldia Wildlife Conservancy
The buffalo was immobilised with 9mg Etorphine plus 50mg Azaperone.
The buffalo had been snared by winch wire snare that had severly wounded the neck. The wire had partially severed the esophagus. The wound was infected & suppurative. The wound was cleaned with water, dilute Hydrogen peroxide and tincture of Iodine then sprayed with a fly repellant (Alamycin). We also administered 15,000mg Damox - LA (Amoxicillin), 500mg Flumeg, 10ml Noromectin and 60mg Catasol
Prognosis is good.
Case 11 – 22nd March 2026
Buffalo Snared Loldia Wildlife Conservancy
The buffalo was darted using 9mg Etorphine plus 50mg Azaperone.
On examination the buffalo had an infected and suppurative wounded on the rump which was oozing yellow pus. The buffalo had a nylon rope snare on left front leg which was also suppurative. There were other injuries on the legs which were minor injuries due to rock terrain of the area. We cleaned the wounds with water, Hydrogen peroxide and tincture of Iodine then sprayed with Alamycin. The buffalo was also administered 24,000mg Alamycin, 500mg Flumeg, 10ml Noromectin and 60ml Catasol.
Prognosis is good.
Case 12 – 27th March 2026
Eland Snared Lentolia Wildlife Conservancy
The female eland was darted with 14mg Etorphine combined with 60mg Azaperone.
On examination the eland had been snared by a wire snare on the neck. Fortunately, the eland had suffered no injuries. We administered a pour on – (acaricide) to control tick infestation.
Prognosis is good.
