SWT/KWS RIFT VALLEY MOBILE VETERINARY UNIT JUNE 2026
Introduction
12 Cases in June 2026
7 Poaching Cases
84% Success
June Report by Dr. Titus Kaitho During June, the Unit attended to 12 cases, travelling as far as Lake Nakuru and several conservancies within Lake Naivasha. Of these cases, 7 involved snare injuries targeting species like zebra for bush meat. The cases have an overall success rate of 83% with only 1 death due to natural causes. Acknowledgement We sincerely thank Sheldrick Wildlife Trust (SWT) for support, resources & sponsorship of the Rift Valley Mobile Veterinary Unit. Kenya Wildlife Service is acknowledged for general operational & leadership support. 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
10-Jun-26
Zebra
Naivasha
11-Jun-26
Elephant
14-Jun-26
Reason for Intervention
Outcome
Snared
On examination the zebra foal had been snared by a tight wire snare on the neck
Successfully Treated
Lake Baringo
Collared
The collar had flipped over and caused a suspected wound on the neck.
Not Located
Giraffe
Lake Nakuru NP
Natural Causes
The female giraffe had suffered a dystocia
Successfully Treated
15-Jun-26
Waterbuck
Naivasha
Snared
The waterbuck had been snared by a winch wire around the head and neck
Successfully Treated
15-Jun-26
Zebra
Naivasha
Snared
The zebra had tight wire snare neck that was tugging an acacia tree branch
Successfully Treated
15-Jun-26
Other
Naivasha
Natural Causes
The bird had suffered multiple fractures.
Died
20-Jun-26
Buffalo
Naivasha
Snared
The buffalo was tethered to a tree by a wire snare on the right hind leg
Successfully Treated
22-Jun-26
Zebra
LoLdia Conservancy
Snared
the zebra had snared on the neck by along wire.
Successfully Treated
24-Jun-26
Zebra
Lake Nakuru NP
Natural Causes
Had an old pelvis bone, which had trapped and wounded the right front leg
Successfully Treated
26-Jun-26
Zebra
Naivasha
Snared
The severe lameness a wire snare that had self - released
Successfully Treated
29-Jun-26
Elephant
Nakuru
Collared
Injured by an old collar that had flipped over
Task Successful
29-Jun-26
Eland
Lentolia Conservancy
Snared
The eland had snared on the neck by along strangulating winch wire
Successfully Treated
SWT/KWS Rift Valley Mobile Vet Unit Treatment Locations June 2026
Case 1 – 10th June 2026 Zebra
Snared
Green Park, Naivasha
The zebra foal was darted using 3mg Etorphine plus 50mg Azaperone. On examination the zebra foal had been snared by a tight wire snare on the neck. We promptly retrieved the wire snare and administered the following; 5ml Noromectin, 5ml Ivermectin) 40ml Catasol and Bayticol Pour on for parasites. Prognosis of this case was good.
Case 2 – 11th June 2026 Elephant
Collaring
Marmanet Forest, Baringo
The Unit travelled to Marmanet Forest Baringo County, supported by the MEP helicopter, to examine a collared elephant where the collar had flipped over causing a suspected wound on the neck. We found the collared male elephant but unfortunately, we lost sight of him due to thick undergrowth in the forest and rugged terrain. A prolonged air search was fruitless. A drone search also failed. We shall revisit the case on another day.
Case 3 – 14th June 2026 Giraffe
Natural Causes
Lake Nakuru National Park
The giraffe was darted using 14mg Etorphine plus 60mg Azaperone. On examination the female giraffe had suffered dystocia. We performed a standard obstetric examination using lots of lubricant (liquid paraffin). The male foetus was dead & on anterior presentation - head & legs were in an extended posture. The cause of dystocia was due to large foetus on the chest region. We aligned the foetus and skilfully expelled it. We cleaned the birth canal with Iodine solution. The giraffe was also administered 15,000mg Damox (Amoxicillin), 1,000mg Flumeg, 10ml Noromectin and 80ml Butasal. The giraffe was given a good prognosis. i
Case 4 – 15th June 2026 Waterbuck
Snared
Lake Naivasha
The waterbuck was darted with 6mg Etorphine plus 60mg Azaperone. The waterbuck was in a fishpond with a dam liner. On examination the waterbuck had been snared by a winch wire which had wounded the head and neck. The wound was cleaned with water and Iodine then sprayed with a fly repellent. The waterbuck was also given antibiotics, anti-inflammatories, Ivermectin and Catasol. The animal was also moved to Crater Lake Conservancy to mitigate against destruction of valuable dam lining at Ecoscapes farm. Prognosis is good.
Case 5 – 15th June 2026 Zebra
Snared
Marula Estates, Naivasha
The snared zebra was snared and tugging an acacia branch. This required intervention so the zebra was darted with 5mg Etorphine plus 60mg Azaperone. The zebra had suffered injuries on the neck which were cleaned with water, rinshed with Iodine and sprayed with Alamycin fly repellent. The zebra was also given 9,000mg Damox, 300mg Flumeg, 5ml Noromectin and 40ml Catasol. Following removal of the snare the zebra has a good prognosis.
Case 6 – 15th June 2026 Heron
Natural Causes
Lake Naivasha
The grey heron was physically restrained and clinically examined. The bird had suffered multiple fractures. The leg & wing had suffered open fractures. The case had a poor prognosis, and the bird was put to rest & disposed at WRTI main campus.
Case 7 – 20th June 2026 Buffalo
Snared
Ecoscapes, Naivasha
The buffalo was darted using 8mg Etorphine plus 60mg Azaperone. On examination the buffalo had been tethered to a tree by a wire snare around right hind leg. The snare was cut free and the resultant wound cleaned and rinsed with water and Iodine, then sprayed with fly repellent (Alamycin® Aerosol). Alamycin 18,000mg, Flumeg 400 mg, Catasol 40ml and 8ml Ivermectin. Prognosis is good.
Case 8 – 22nd June 2026 Zebra
Snared
Loldia Conservancy
The zebra was darted using 5mg Etorphine and 60mg Azaperone. On examination the zebra had snared on the neck by along wire which hadn’t caused any injuries. The snare was removed and the zebra given 5ml Noromectin for parasites, 40ml Catasol and pour on Bayticol. As there were no injuries the zebra was reversed from anaesthesia and has a good prognosis.
Case 9 – 24th June 2026 Zebra
Natural Causes
Lake Nakuru National Park
The zebra was darted using 5mg Etorphine plus 60mg Azaperone. On examination the zebra had a pelvis bone from a carcass of a small ruminant, trapped around the right front leg which had caused injuries and made movement difficult. The bone was removed and the leg cleaned with water and Iodine then sprayed with a fly repellent. The zebra was also given 18,000mg Alamycin, 400mg Flumeg , 40ml Catasol and 8ml Noromectin and pour on Bayticol. Prognosis is good.
Case 10 – 26th June 2026 Zebra
Snared
Kongoni Game Valley
The zebra was darted using 5mg Etorphine plus 60mg azaperone. On examination the zebra was severely lame due to a wire snare that had been around the right hindleg but had self - released. The wound was also heavily infested by ticks. We cleaned the wound using water and rinsed it with Iodine, then sprayed with a fly repellent (Alamycin® Aerosol). The zebra was also administered 18,000mg Alamycin, 400mg Flumeg, 40ml Catasol and 8ml Noromectin then finally pour on Bayticol was applied. Prognosis is good following treatment.
Case 11 – 24th June 2026 Elephant
Collaring
Chemok Lake Nakuru
This case was reported by MEP management. A previous attempt to immobilize and treat this elephant at Mamarnet forest failed. The elephant had now moved to Nakuru – Chemorok farm. Immobilisation, examination and treatment Mara Elephant Project (MEP) provided a helicopter so the elephant could be darted from the air with 18mg Etorphine. On examination the elephant collar had flipped over causing a minor injury to the neck. The wound was cleaned with water, rinsed with Iodine then sprayed with a fly repellent (Alamycin® Aerosol). The old collar was removed and replaced with a new collar. The elephant was also given Alamycin injection 24,000mg by IM route as a prophylactic. Prognosis Prognosis of this case is good. The exercise was successful.
Case 12 – 29th June 2026 Eland
Snared
Lentolia Conservancy
This case was reported by Lentolia Wildlife Conservancy security staff. Immobilisation, examination and treatment The eland was darted using 15mg Etorphine plus 60mg Azaperone. On examination the eland had been snared on the neck by a long strangulating winch wire. Fortunately, the wire had not caused any injuries to the neck. The wire snare was removed but as there were no injuries, further treatment was not required. Reversal and prognosis The was eland reversed from anaesthesia using 200mg Naltrexone given by IV route and ¼ of the dose by IM route. Prognosis is good.