SWT/KWS TSAVO MOBILE VETERINARY UNIT
APRIL 2025
10 Cases in April 2025 5 Poaching Cases 8 Elephant Cases
April Report by Dr. Campaign Limo
The conservation area continued to experience moderate precipitation in the course of the month. Most water pans are full, both grazers and browsers have abundant food. The Tsavo Mobile Veterinary Unit (TMVU) was able to respond to all cases reported during this period. The majority of these cases involved elephants with 1 zebra relocated as it was within a hospital compound and a giraffe with a spear wound. An elephant calf was rescued after it was abandoned, 2 elephant postmortems were conducted, an elephant was treated for natural causes whilst the other elephants were treated for spear or arrow wounds.
Acknowledgement
Tsavo mobile veterinary Unit appreciates all stakeholders who aided in reporting and monitoring cases requiring veterinary intervention. Special thanks to Sheldrick wildlife trust for their continued facilitation to the unit and the Kenya Wildlife Service management for their guidance and technical advice to the unit.
Case Details
1-Apr-25
5-Apr-25
Tsavo East National Park Rescue
elephant had been reported earlier to be deteriorating in health due to old age
adult female elephant and her calf were reported to be stuck in the mud
April 2025
Zebra
Human-Wildlife Conflict
Kinango, South Coast
On is zebra was spotted at Kinango referral hospital compound, the KWS team at the area notified TMVU who responded immediately.
Immobilisation, examination and relocation
This zebra was successfully anesthetized using a combination of 5mg Etorphine and 60mg Azaperone. Darting was done from foot and it took 6 minutes for full anaesthesia to be achieved.
Examination revealed that the zebra had lost body condition and had bruises on both distal hind limbs. The zebra was hoisted onto the relocation vehicle and relocated back to Shimba Hills National Reserve. Topical antibiotics was applied on all bruises.
Reversal and prognosis
He was revived from anaesthesia using 75mg Naltrexone hydrochloride given intravenously via the Jugular vein. He rose and walked away 4 minutes later. Prognosis is good.
Case
Elephant Postmortem
Magram Ranch, Taita
An elephant carcass was found on the morning of 5th march by KWS rangers in Magram ranch. TMVU were requested to conduct a postmortem examination on the elephant to determine the cause of death.
Postmortem examination
The male was found on left lateral recumbency. He appeared to be in good body condition before death. No external injuries observed on flipping the carcass.
The stomach and the intestines were filled with gas.
A portion of the small intestine was twisted past 180 degrees along its vertical axis incarcerating a ball of dry intestinal content. The mucosa of the affected portion was congested. The portion of the intestine beyond the twist had bloody contents and filled with gas.
Cause of death
It was concluded that the elephant succumbed due to complications associated with intestinal torsion. Tusks were removed and taken to KWS Tsavo East headquarters for safekeeping.
Case 3 – 7th April 2025
Elephant Postmortem Lualenyi Ranch, Taita
An elephant carcass was found on the afternoon of 7th April by KWS rangers in Lualenyi ranch. The elephant had been reported earlier to have declining activity and deteriorating health due to old age. TMVU were requested to conduct a postmortem examination on the elephant.
Postmortem examination
The lungs were congested and edematous.
Liver was fibrotic.
The intestines were empty with congested serosa.
Cause of death
It was concluded that the cause of death was geriatric pneumonia.
The tusks were retrieved and taken for safekeeping by KWS security team.
Elephant Rescue Voi Safari Lodge, Tsavo East NP
An adult female elephant and her calf were reported to be stuck in the mud at the dam, inside the Voi Safari Lodge. TMVU was notified and responded immediately to rescue the elephants.
Rescue
Since the elephants were almost near the bank of the dam, the team used a vehicle to drive them along the bank to a suitable and appropriate exit point where they eventually got out.
Prognosis
The pair exited the dam and moved off. Prognosis is good.
Elephant Spear
This elephant was spotted by the Wildlife Works rangers during routine patrols in Sagala ranch having a wound on the right forelimb. TMVU was alerted and responded immediately to the case.
Immobilisation, examination and relocation
This bull was successfully immobilized using 18mg Etorphine hydrochloride delivered remotely in a 3cc Dan inject dart. Darting was done from the helicopter, and it took 8 minutes for the drug to achieve its full effects.
Examination revealed a deep septic spear wound on the medial right carpal metacarpal joint. The wound was thoroughly cleaned, flushed with Hydrogen peroxide and infused with tincture of Iodine. The wound was thereafter packed with antibiotic pessaries and sprayed with a topical antibiotic. He also received shots of Amoxicillin, Clindamycin antibiotics and Dexamethasone anti-inflammatory parenterally.
Reversal and prognosis
He was reversed from anaesthesia using 180mg Naltrexone hydrochloride given intravenously via a prominent ear vein. He rose 3 minutes later and moved away. Prognosis is guarded.
Sagala Ranch, Taita Ranch
Case
Elephant
Natural Causes
Komboyo, Tsavo West
This elephant was spotted by the SWT pilot during routine patrols in Komboyo area having poor body condition. TMVU was notified and responded immediately to the case.
Immobilisation, examination and treatment
This elephant was successfully immobilized using 18mg Etorphine delivered remotely in a 3cc Dan inject dart. darting was done from a helicopter, and it took 10 minutes for the drug to achieve its full effects.
Examination revealed an elephant in satisfactory body condition having slightly deteriorated compared to pre-translocation status. The elephant had been translocated from Tana River. The collar was removed and supportive treatment given. He received Amoxicillin antibiotic, a metabolic stimulant and Dexamethasone anti-inflammatory parenterally.
Reversal and prognosis
He was reversed from anaesthesia using 180mg Naltrexone hydrochloride given intravenously via a prominent ear vein. He rose 3 minutes later and moved away. Prognosis is fair.
Case
Elephant Arrow Komboyo, Tsavo West
This injured elephant was spotted by the SWT pilot during patrols in Komboyo area with a wound on the trunk, neck and another on the left rump.
Immobilisation, examination and treatment
This bull was successfully immobilized from a helicopter using 18mg Etorphine hydrochloride delivered remotely in a 3cc Dan inject dart, and it took 8 minutes for the drug to achieve its full effects.
Examination revealed a septic arrow wound on the neck, left rump and an extensive wound at the trunk. The neck and left rump wounds were thoroughly cleaned and the pus evacuated. This was followed by flushing with Hydrogen peroxide and rinsing the wound thoroughly with water, the wound was thereafter infused with tincture of Iodine, packed with antibiotic pessaries and topical antibiotic spray applied.The trunk wound was cleaned, infused with tincture of iodine then sprayed with a topical antibiotic. The wounds at the trunk appeared to have been inflicted using a machete. Additionally, he received shots of Amoxicillin antibiotics and Dexamethasone anti-inflammatory parenterally.
Reversal and prognosis
He was reversed from anaesthesia and given a good prognosis.
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Elephant Spear Voi Stockade, Tsavo East
This is a follow up case on an injured elephant who was reported by KWS team in Sala area close to River Galana, limping with a wound on his left forelimb. He was rescued and taken to the Voi stockade, Tsavo East for further treatment and monitoring.
Immobilisation, examination and treatment
This calf was successfully tranquilized using 65mg Azaperone delivered remotely in a 1.5cc Dan inject dart Darting was done from foot and it took 10 minutes for the drug to achieve its full effects.
He had previously sustained a deep septic spear wound on the medial left radiocarpal joint. This review revealed no discharges from the wound. The wound was thoroughly cleaned with water and topical antibiotic spray was also applied on the wound.
He also received shots of amoxicillin antibiotics parenterally.
Prognosis
Prognosis is fair
Case
9 – 26th April 2025
Elephant Spear
Dakadima, Tsavo East
This elephant bull was spotted by SWT and KWS rangers in Dakadima area having a wound on the upper thigh of the left hind limb. TMVU was notified and responded quickly to treat the animal.
Immobilisation, examination and treatment
This bull was successfully immobilized from a helicopter using 20mg Etorphine with a top up of 10mg Etorphine delivered remotely in a Dan inject dart and it took 15 minutes for the drug to achieve its full effects.
Examination revealed a deep septic spear wound on the lateral upper thigh of the left hind limb. The wound was thoroughly cleaned and the pus evacuated from the wound. All devitalized tissues within the wound were debrided, this was followed by flushing with Hydrogen peroxide, rinsing of the wound thoroughly with water then infusing it with Iodine and packing it with antibiotic pessaries. Topical antibiotic spray was applied thereafter. Other treatments given include parenteral administration of Amoxicillin and Clindamycin antibiotics. The elephant also received shots of Dexamethasone anti-inflammatory
Prognosis
He was revived using 200 mg of Naltrexone hydrochloride given intravenously via a prominent ear vein. He rose 3 minutes later. Prognosis is good.
Case
Giraffe Spear
Rombo Group Ranch
This giraffe was spotted by KWS rangers and Big Life Rangers in Rombo having a spear head lodged in his left hindlimb.
Immobilisation, examination and treatment
This giraffe was successfully immobilized using 13mg Etorphine hydrochloride and 60mg Azaperone delivered remotely in a 3cc Dan inject dart. Darting was done from a helicopter and it took 8 minutes for the drug to achieve its full effects.
Examination revealed a spear which had injured the Achilles’. The spear head fell out during the knockdown of the giraffe by the tranquillizer. The spear wound was septic. The wound was thoroughly cleaned and the pus evacuated from the wound. This was followed by flushing with Hydrogen peroxide, rinsing the wound thoroughly with water, then it was infused with Iodine and topical antibiotic spray applied thereafter. Additionally, she received shots of amoxicillin parenterally.
Prognosis
She was reversed from anaesthesia using 130mg Naltrexone hydrochloride delivered intravenously via the jugular vein. She rose and hastily walked away 3 minutes later. Prognosis is good.
