SWT/KWS Tsavo Mobile Veterinary Report for August 2023

SWT/KWS TSAVO MOBILE VETERINARY UNIT AUGUST 2023

Introduction

14 Cases in August

5 Poaching Cases

9 Elephant Cases

August Report by Dr. Campaign Limo Light showers fell in a few areas within Tsavo in August 2023. However, many parts of the Tsavo Conservation Area remained dry. The Tsavo Mobile Veterinary Unit attended to 14 cases in total. These included 3 lion cases, 9 elephant cases, 1 zebra case, and 1 giraffe case.

Acknowledgement The Tsavo Mobile Veterinary Unit appreciates all the stakeholders who supported this month’s clinical interventions including the monitoring and reporting of veterinary cases. The team thanks Kenya Wildlife Service management for providing technical support and The Sheldrick Wildlife Trust for funding the Tsavo Mobile Veterinary Unit.

Case Details Date

Species

Area Found

01-Aug 23

Elephant

Kimana Sanctuary

04-Aug 23

Zebra

05-Aug 23

Reason for Intervention

Outcome

Spear

35-40 years old elephant cow with a wound on the left side of the sacral area.

Successfully treated

Manga Area

Snared

Adult female zebra with a tight wire snare around the neck.

Successfully treated

Elephant

Lualenyi Ranch

Natural Causes

Adult elephant bull treated 20 days earlier found recumbent at a waterhole.

Died.

Euthanized

07-Aug 23

Elephant

Kanderi Area

Natural Causes

Repeat treatment of a 1-year-old elephant calf with right hind quarter lameness.

Died.

Euthanized

07-Aug 23

Lion

Izera Ranch

HWC

Relocation of a 4–5-year-old male lion that had killed several livestock in the ranch.

Task successful

08-Aug 23

Elephant

Ndigiria Area

Postmortem

25–30-year-old female elephant found dead in Ndigiria Area.

Died. Rectal Impaction

09-Aug 23

Elephant

Pipeline Area

Natural Causes

30–35-year-old elephant cow with a large faecal ball lodged at the exit of the rectum.

Died. Rectal impaction

14-Aug 23

Lion

Pipeline Area

Natural Causes

4–5-year-old lioness with porcupine quills lodged in its body.

Successfully treated

18-Aug 23

Elephant

Triangle Area

Snared

15-19-year-old elephant bull with a fence wire entangling its left hind limb.

Successfully treated

18-Aug 23

Giraffe

Kuku Ranch

Spear

Adult male Masai giraffe with a spearhead lodged in its left hind leg.

Successfully treated

19-Aug 23

Elephant

Rhino Valley

Natural Causes.

8-year-old female elephant with severe right hind leg carrying lameness.

Died.

Euthanized

21-Aug 23

Elephant

Rukinga Ranch

Poaching Postmortem

40-45-year-old elephant bull found dead near a drying waterhole.

Poaching Death

21-Aug 23

Elephant

Voi – Park Airstrip Area

Natural Causes

1-year-old male elephant calf with hind quarter lameness.

Prognosis Poor

21-Aug 23

Lion

Lumo Conservancy

Natural Causes

Sub-adult female lioness with multiple bite wound suffered during a fight.

Successfully treated

SWT/KWS Tsavo Mobile Vet Unit Treatment Locations August 2023

Case 1 – 01st August 2023 Elephant

Spear

Kimana Sanctuary

This injured adult elephant cow was spotted by a KWS-Big Life Foundation patrol team.

Immobilisation, examination and treatment The 35–40-year-old elephant cow was found in a bushy area with her calf and family. She was wound on the left side of the sacral area. The injured elephant was darted from a helicopter and immobilized with 17 mgs Etorphine hydrochloride. She was fully sedated after 10 minutes. Closer examination revealed a spear wound, on the left side of the sacrum, that missed her spine by inches.

Necrotic muscle tissue was surgically removed then the wound was debrided with Hydrogen peroxide, cleaned with water, disinfected with Iodine, and packed with Trimethoprim bolus and green clay. Topical antibiotic spray was thereafter applied on the wound. Long-acting Amoxicillin antibiotics and Flunixin meglumine anti-inflammatories were administered intramuscularly before anaesthesia was reversed with 150 mg Naltrexone given through a prominent ear vein. The elephant cow stood 3 minutes post-reversal and joined her calf and family.

Prognosis The elephant has a good prognosis.

Case 2 – 04th August 2023 Zebra

Snared

Managa Area

A SWT-KWS De-snaring Unit spotted a snared adult female zebra beside the Nairobi – Mombasa highway in Manga Area. The zebra had a tight wire snare around its neck.

Immobilisation, examination and treatment The snared zebra was found in a small herd. The veterinary team observed that the snared animal was also dragging along an approx. 3-meter-long section of wire attached to the snare around its neck.

The zebra was darted from a vehicle and immobilized with 6 mg Etorphine and 60 mg Azaperone. The animal was fully sedated 6 minutes later. The snare was cut off with wire cutters, and luckily no injuries were observed along the strangulation impression left around the neck. Anaesthesia was reversed with 75 mgs Naltrexone delivered intravenously through the jugular vein. The zebra regained consciousness 2 minutes later and re-joined the herd.

Prognosis The zebra has a good prognosis.

Case 3 – 05th August 2023 Elephant

Natural Causes

Lualenyi Ranch

An adult elephant bull treated on 15th July 2023 for right hind leg lameness was seen recumbent near a dam in Lualenyi Ranch by a KWS patrol team.

Examination The 35–40-year-old elephant bull was found in left lateral recumbency. He was weak and unable to move, it was suspected that he had a broken right hind limb as well as nerve damage. Given his grave prognosis, the elephant was euthanized to alleviate further pain and suffering. A post-mortem was performed thereafter.

Post-mortem findings Upon making an incision on the right hind leg from the hip joint, it was noted that: ▪ ▪ ▪

The area had a big blood clot that formed in a pocket near the femur proximally.

Fatty degeneration was evident around the femur.

There was a complete fracture of the femur neck.

The fracture was suspected to have occurred when the elephant bull landed awkwardly upon being pinned down by another bull.

Case 4 – 07th August 2023 Elephant

Natural Causes

Kanderi Area – Tsavo East N.P.

This elephant calf, treated on 18/07/2023 for right hind quarter lameness caused by lion predation wounds, was seen limping by visitors. It was reported that the calf also had a swollen right ankle.

Immobilisation, examination and treatment The Vet. noted that swelling on the calf's lower right limb had increased. The calf’s mother was darted from a vehicle and chemically immobilized. The calf was then physically restrained and sedated. Upon closer examination, a large communicating wound was observed on the right hind limb below the tarsus. An abscessed wound had also formed at the proximal tarsal joint laterally. Pus was drained from the wound and pyogenic membrane and devitalized tissues excised. The wound was then flushed with Hydrogen peroxide, rinsed with water, disinfected with Iodine, and packed with Trimethoprim boluses and green clay. Long-acting antibiotics and anti-inflammatories were administered before anaesthesia was reversed for both mother and calf. They both woke up 3 minutes later and were re-united before they joined their waiting family.

Prognosis The calf was given a favourable prognosis for recovery. Tragically, a few days after treatment, the calf was attacked by lions again. Sadly, the calf experienced severe injuries all over its body including on the previously wounded leg. The Vet. team had little choice, but to put him to rest to alleviate further pain and suffering.

Case 5 – 07th August 2023 Lion

Human – Wildlife Conflict

Izera Ranch

A rogue adult male lion was reported to have killed several livestock within Izera ranch over the previous 3 months. Attempts to capture the lion by trapping had been futile.

Immobilisation, examination and translocation On 07/08/2023, the lion killed a cow and took refuge in a wooded area within the ranch. The lion was found in dense bush away from clear view. He was darted from a vehicle and immobilized with 250 mg Ketamine and 6 mg Medetomidine. The drugs took effect 10 minutes post-darting. An incidental septic wound was found near the lumbar vertebrae. The wound was flushed with Hydrogen peroxide, cleaned with water, disinfected with Iodine, and infused with Cloxacillin antibiotic ointment. Long-acting Amoxicillin antibiotics and Dexamethasone anti-inflammatories were given intramuscularly before the lion was loaded into a lion cage for translocation. Anaesthesia was reversed 1-hour post-darting with 30 mg Atipamezole hydrochloride administered intramuscularly. The lion regained consciousness 3 minutes post-reversal. He was then translocated to Lugard’s Falls by the Problem Animal Control (PAC) team.

Prognosis The lion has a good prognosis.

Case 6 – 08th August 2023 Elephant

Post-mortem

Ndigiria Area

An elephant carcass was found by herders in the area who notified the KWS patrol team. Both tusks were reported missing. The Tsavo Mobile Veterinary Unit was called in to perform a post-mortem to establish the cause of death.

General post-mortem findings The 25–30-year-old female elephant was found in left lateral recumbency. Tree branches had been placed over the carcass to conceal it. Both tusks had been expertly harvested. There were signs of struggle at the scene. There were also signs that other elephants had been present, and it appeared that they had tried to assist the deceased elephant to stand. Human activity was also observed at the scene after the elephant died. The elephant cow had active mammary glands with scanty milk discharged on expression. The elephant appeared to have been in good body condition with a body score of 4 in a scale of 1-5 where 1 is good and 5 is poor. The elephant was moderately bloated. There was vulval evagination with seromucoid discharge.

Mucoid discharge was observed from the anal region with slight edema. There was evisceration of the gut with a vertical cut on the right ventrolateral aspect of the abdominal region. There were multiple punctures of the eviscerated gut. On turning the carcass, the left side had a slight superficial cut on the skin of the lateral mid abdominal region. All these cuts were made by a sharp object after the elephant died. Maggots had begun to infest the carcass. No other external injuries were evident.

Specific post-mortem findings Upon opening the carcass, muscle cover was found to be adequate with signs that the elephant was in good body condition. The lungs and heart appeared normal in shape and size. The liver, both kidneys and spleen were heavily autolyzed. This was thought to be due to normal postmortem changes owing to the prevailing hot conditions. There was excessive accumulation of gas within both small and large intestines that were moderately filled with ingesta. The stomach had relatively freshly ingested food. The proximal rectum appeared kinked and dilated creating a pouch where faecal balls had coalesced forming one big and hard mass. No faecal material was found distal to this point. The uterus was empty of any foetus. The urinary bladder had already emptied. No other abnormality was seen.

Cause of death The elephant cow died from complications associated with rectal impaction. The tusks appeared to have been removed opportunistically after the elephant died.

Unfortunately, there are no pictures for this case.

Case 7 – 09th August 2023 Elephant

Natural Causes

Pipeline Area near Voi Safari Lodge

Visitors reported seeing a recumbent adult female elephant with her rectum pushed outwards. She had an elephant calf by her side.

Immobilisation, examination and treatment The elephant was found at the Voi Safari Lodge water hole with her young calf. She was standing, but she appeared weak, bloated, and she had a large faecal ball lodged at the exit of her rectum. The elephant cow was darted from a vehicle with 16 mgs Etorphine. It took 10 minutes for the drugs to take effect. Her calf was also anaesthetized with 1 mg Etorphine administered intramuscularly after the calf was physically restrained.

Upon closer examination, the vet. concluded that she had rectal impaction with possible mild volvulus. The faecal ball was physically released by removing all the faecal material at the rectum, approx. 20 litres of water was then pumped using a hosepipe 2 meters deep inside the rectum. 500 mgs Magnesium sulphate was dissolved in 2 litres of water and administer rectally using a hosepipe then 500 ml liquid paraffin was administered as an enema. Long-acting Tetracycline antibiotics, Flunixin meglumine anti-inflammatories and Catosol metabolic stimulants were administered intramuscularly. Anaesthesia reversal was achieved with 200 mg Naltrexone intravenously for the mother and 25 mg Naltrexone for the calf. They woke up together and walked away.

Post-treatment monitoring This elephant cow was closely monitored for several days. Sadly, it succumbed during the night on 23rd August 2023. A post-mortem was carried out thereafter by the veterinary team.

General post-mortem findings The elephant appeared to be in a fair body condition with a body condition of 3 out of 5 where 1 is poor and 5 is good. Extreme bloating was evident. Clotted blood was seen around the anus. Upon opening the carcass, it was found to be pale, there were clear signs of dehydration. There was excessive accumulation of gas within both small and large intestines. There was a large amount of fluid in the peritoneal cavity mixed with ingesta.

Two perforations were found on the colon, proximal and mid colon. Intestinal congestion was evident. There was impaction on the distal part of the rectum.

Cause of death This elephant cow died from complications caused by rectal impaction. Despite treatment, the problem failed to resolve completely. The elephant’s tusks were recovered and taken into safe custody by KWS security.

Case 8 – 14th August 2023 Lion

Natural Causes

Pipeline Area – Tsavo East N.P.

Visitors reported seeing an adult lioness with porcupine quills embedded in her body.

Immobilisation, examination and treatment The adult lioness was found resting under a bush with another lioness. In her recumbent position, 2 porcupine quills were visible – one on the ventral neck region and the other on the right front leg. The injured lioness was darted from a vehicle and immobilized with 220 mg Ketamine and 4.8 mg Medetomidine, she was fully anaesthetized 10 minutes later. Closer examination revealed 4 porcupine quills – in her ventral neck region, deep on her right lateral face, and 2 on her right forelimb - these were located slightly below the carpus joint while the other was on the lateral carpus joint. The porcupine quills were removed manually.

The fresh wounds were disinfected with Iodine, infused with Cloxacillin antibiotic ointment, and sprayed with topical antibiotic spray. Long-acting Amoxicillin antibiotics and Dexamethasone anti-inflammatories were given intramuscularly then anaesthesia was reversed 1-hour post-darting with 25 mg Atipamezole hydrochloride administered intramuscularly. She stood up 12 minutes later and rejoined her companion.

Prognosis The lioness has a good prognosis.

Case 9 – 18th August 2023 Elephant

Snared

Triangle Area

The SWT-KWS Canine Unit spotted a limping sub-adult male elephant in the Triangle Area.

Immobilisation, examination and treatment Due to the thick bush in the area, aerial support was required and provided by a SWT helicopter. The approx.

15–19-year-old elephant bull was seen favouring his left hind leg. The elephant was darted from the helicopter and immobilized with 15 mgs Etorphine. It took 8 minutes for the drugs to take effect. Closer examination revealed an old septic wound proximal to the tarsus joint of the left limb caused by a fence wire tightly entangling the limb. The bull appeared to have been accidentally snared. The fence wire was cut off with wire cutters then damaged devitalized muscle tissues were surgically excised. The wound was then debrided with dilute Hydrogen peroxide, cleaned with water, infused with Iodine, and packed with Trimethoprim bolus before they were sprayed with topical antibiotic and packed with green clay. Long-acting Amoxicillin antibiotics and Dexamethasone anti-inflammatories were administered intramuscularly.

Anaesthesia was reversed thereafter with 150 mg Naltrexone injected through a prominent ear vein. The young bull stood 3 minutes post-reversal and walked away.

Prognosis The young elephant bull has a good prognosis.

Case 10 – 18th August 2023 Giraffe

Spear

Kuku Ranch

An adult male Masai Giraffe with a spearhead lodged in its left hind leg was seen in Kuku Ranch by a KWS patrol team.

Immobilisation, examination and treatment The injured giraffe was found within a herd in extremely rugged terrain. The animal was herded to a more suitable area for darting with assistance from a helicopter and people on foot. The giraffe was then darted from a helicopter and immobilized with 16 mgs Etorphine and 60 mg Azaperone. It took 14 minutes for the drugs to take full effect. As soon as the giraffe went down, anaesthesia was reversed with 200 mg Naltrexone administered through the jugular vein. It was then manually restrained for examination and treatment. The spearhead was observed to be slightly proximal to the giraffe’s left carpal joint, it had entered laterally and exited medially. After the spearhead was manually removed, damaged devitalized muscle tissues were surgically excised then the wound was debrided with Hydrogen peroxide, cleaned with water, and disinfected with Iodine. Long-acting Amoxicillin antibiotics and Flunixin meglumine anti-inflammatories were administered intramuscularly before the giraffe was set free. The bull stood up immediately and walked away.

Prognosis The giraffe has a good prognosis.

Case 11 – 19th August 2023 Elephant

Natural Causes

Rhino Valley – Tsavo West N.P.

This young female elephant was seen by a KWS patrol team limping on the right hind leg.

Immobilisation, examination and treatment The approx. 8-year-old female elephant had leg carrying lameness and was favouring her right hind limb. She had extreme difficulties ambulating. Upon closer examination, the elephant was found to have suffered a complete fracture of the right hind leg. Given her grave prognosis, euthanasia was advised to alleviate further pain and suffering.

After the elephant was euthanized, a post-mortem was performed. It confirmed that the elephant had a complete fracture of the right distal femur. Based on the veterinarian assessment, the fracture could have occurred when the elephant tumbled from a rocky outcrop.

Prognosis The elephant had a poor prognosis and was euthanized to alleviate further pain and suffering.

Unfortunately, there are no pictures for this case.

Case 12 – 20th August 2023 Elephant

Postmortem

Rukinga Ranch

An adult elephant bull carcass was found by the Rukinga ranch patrol team who then informed KWS. The Tsavo Mobile Veterinary Unit was requested to perform a postmortem to establish the cause of death.

General post-mortem findings The approx. 45–50-year-old elephant bull was found dead in left lateral recumbency near a drying water hole.

The tusks had been removed by a KWS security team for safe custody. The elephant appeared to have been in poor body condition before death with a body condition score of 2.5 in a scale of 1-5 where 1 is poor and 5 good. The elephant had an injury on the right-hind thigh laterally. Pus was oozing from the wound with swelling extending ventrally up to the level of the knee joint. The injury appeared to have been caused by a poisoned arrow. There were signs of struggle before death at the scene.

Specific post-mortem findings On opening the carcass, about 5 litres of pus was found at the point of swelling. Muscle and tissue necrosis was evident in the area. Gangrene tissue formation was also observed. No other abnormality was seen grossly in other areas/tissues.

Cause of death This elephant died from a poisoned arrow wound. The elephant succumbed to sepsis and poisoning associated with the poisoned arrow wound.

Unfortunately, there are no pictures for this case.

Case 13 – 21st August 2023 Elephant

Natural Causes

Voi Airstrip Area – Tsavo East N.P.

Visitors in the park reported seeing an elephant calf limping on the left hind leg.

Immobilisation, examination and treatment The approx. 1 year old male elephant calf had a swollen lower left limb, and a pus oozing wound was visible on the medial aspect of the ankle joint. The calf’s mother was darted from a vehicle and immobilized with 16 mgs Etorphine. Once the drug took effect, the team physically restrained the calf and administered 1.5mg Etorphine, the calf was fully anaesthetised after 6 minutes. Closer examination revealed healing wounds at the rear side of the left hind limb and a big septic wound slightly below the tarsus joint on the same limb.

The wound was suspected to have been caused by lions during attempted predation. Pus was drained from the wound and devitalized tissues were surgically excised. The wound was then debrided with Hydrogen peroxide, rinsed with water, disinfected with Iodine, and packed with Trimethoprim boluses and green clay.

Long-acting Amoxicillin antibiotics and Flunixin meglumine anti-inflammatories were given intramuscularly before anaesthesia was reversed on both mother and calf. They both regained consciousness 4 minutes postreversal. They initially went separate ways before the calf was captured and reunited with its mother.

Prognosis The elephant calf has a guarded prognosis.

Case 14 – 21st August 2023 Lion

Natural Causes

Lumo Conservancy

While on patrol, Lumo Conservancy rangers spotted this injured female sub-adult lioness.

Immobilisation, examination and treatment The injured lioness was found alone near Lion Bluff Lodge. She appeared weak, and multiple wounds were visible on the right lateral abdomen and the right and left thoracic regions. A major septic wound was seen on the scapula of her left forelimb. The lioness was darted from a vehicle and immobilized with 180 mg Ketamine and 3 mg Medetomidine, she was fully anaesthetized after 11 minutes. Upon closer examination, the Vet determined that the wounds were most likely caused by another lion’s canine teeth. Pus was drained from the wounds then devitalized tissues were removed. The wounds were thereafter debrided with Hydrogen peroxide, rinsed with water, disinfected with Iodine, infused with Cloxacillin antibiotic ointment, and sprayed with a topical antibiotic. Long-acting Amoxicillin antibiotics and Dexamethasone antiinflammatories were administered intramuscularly before anaesthesia was reversed with Atipamezole hydrochloride administered intramuscularly 1-hour post-darting. The lioness stood 16 minutes post-reversal and walked away.

Prognosis The lioness has a good prognosis.