SWT/KWS Amboseli Mobile Veterinary Unit - September 2019

SWT/KWS AMBOSELI MOBILE VETERINARY UNIT SEPTEMBER 2019

Introduction

8 Cases in September

4 Poaching Cases

3 Elephant Cases

September Report by Dr. Edward Kariuki During September 2019, Amboseli Mobile Veterinary Unit (AMVU) attended to 8 cases involving 9 wild mammals that included 3 elephants, 2 zebras and 4 giraffes. An elephant was euthanized after the animal failed to stand and move following a 2 days intensive treatment and fluid therapy. A second and third elephant was examined for cause of death. Two giraffes were desnared, and two considered for the cause of death. One zebra was treated for lameness and a second one examined for cause of death.

Acknowledgement We thank Sheldrick Wildlife Trust (SWT) for material support and Mobile Unit funding, KWS for logistical support and security. Amboseli Park rangers, Olgulului community rangers, Shompole community rangers for reporting dead and monitoring of distressed wild animals.

Case Details Date

Species

Area Found

Reason for Intervention

Outcome

03-Sep-19

Giraffe

Taita Ranch

Snared

The left hind limb had a cable wire snare

Successfully Treated

03-Sep-19

Zebra

Taita Ranch

Natural Causes

The limb was swollen distally to the fetlock joint and had an infected wound

Successfully Treated

04-Sep-19

Giraffe

Amboseli NP

Postmortem

Two carcasses found near a community borehole were feared to be infectious to livestock.

Died

07-Sep-19

Elephant

Lake Jipe

Bullet Wound

The left forelimb was swollen on the carpus with a penetrating wound

Poaching Death

14-Sep-19

Zebra

Amboseli NP

Postmortem

The trachea had blood-tinged froth and few worms of Dictyocalus species

Died

23-Sep-19

Elephant

Amboseli NP

Spear

A carcass was found with a penetrating wound to the chest

Poaching Death

23-Sep-19

Giraffe

Amboseli NP

Snared

The snare was loose and did not cause any injuries

Successfully Treated

27-Sep-19

Elephant

Shompole, Magadi

Postmortem

The carcass had been scavenged by hyeans but most likely died of natural causes

Died

SWT/KWS Amboseli Mobile Vet Unit Treatment Locations September 2019

. Case

1 – 3rd September 2019

Giraffe

Snared

Taita Hills Sanctuary

The AMVU team received the report of a giraffe with a snare from the Park Watch Network. The warden of Taita Hills Wildlife Sanctuary was called to confirm and monitor the giraffe before the arrival of the vet. The warden confirmed the case and the team travelled to Taita for the treatment.

Immobilisation, examination and treatment The giraffe was immobilised with 14mg Etorphine and 40mg Azaperone. The giraffe went down 10 minutes after darting. While on the ground, Diprenorphine (36mgs) was used for immediate revival and then the giraffe was physical restrained.

The left hind limb had a cable wire around the midpoint of the tibia and fibula bones which was removed using a wire cutter. The snare had caused a wound that had cut through the dermal layers but only slightly embedded in the muscle. Oxytetracycline Alamycin spray was sprayed on the wound to cover for infection and prevent flystrike. Amoxicillin (6000mgs) was administered to covered for systemic bacterial infection.

Prognosis The prognosis for a full recovery was good.

Case 2 – 3rd September 2019 Zebra

Natural Causes

Taita Hills Sanctuary

The AMVU team received the report of a lame zebra at Saltlick lodge in Taita Hills Wildlife Sanctuary while attending to a sick giraffe on 3rd September 2019. The animal was observed to favour its left forelimb while walking, leading to lameness.

Immobilisation, examination and treatment Chemical immobilization was acheived using 7mgs Etorphine and 70mgs Azaperone. The zebra was fully immobilised 4 minutes after darting.

On examination, the limb was swollen distally to the fetlock joint and had an infected wound. Hydrogen peroxide was used to debride the dead tissue then Iodine was used to disinfect the wound and prevent bacterial infection. Oxytetracycline spray was applied topically to prevent flystrike. Amoxicillin was also administered against systemic bacterial infection.

Prognosis The prognosis was good though the animal could fall as easy prey.

Case 3 – 4th September 2019 Giraffe

Post-mortem

Amboseli National Park

KWS rangers at Kitirua gate reported two giraffe carcasses found at Olgulului group ranch. The carcass found next to the community borehole was feared to be infectious to livestock. The second giraffe carcass was located in a grazing area approximately 2km from the first one. Both were feared as a disease threat to local livestock herds.The first giraffe was suspected of having died on Thursday 29 August while the second died on Monday 2nd September.

Examination On arrival at the first carcass, the team observed that dogs had scavenged the carcass. The remains composed of stomach parts filled with green acacia pods and leaves, which are the main source of feed in this dry part of the park and ranch.

The second carcass was completely mummified. The visceral organs were completely scavenged, and maggots were only present at the coronary bands of its hooves.

Cause of Death The first giraffe was suspected to have died of bloat. The results of the second post-mortem was inconclusive as what was left of the carcass was not enough to determine the cause of death.

Case 4 – 7th September 2019 Elephant

Bullet Wound

Lake Jipe

The Tanzania Community reported the case while entering Kenya. The Jipe platoon found the elephant on the banks of Lake Jipe where it later went recumbent and was unable to rise up. On approach, it could only move the trunk and head. The left forelimb was swollen with a penetrating wound that was oozing exudate. The left ear had small bite marks that were probably inflicted by a scavenger the previous night.

Immobilisation, examination and treatment The animal was immobilized for physical examination and treatment. The wound was probed and was found to be more than 15cm deep, infected and produced red tainted discharge. The elephant was supported with fluid therapy and initially responded well and tried to get up. Two land cruisers were used to help her, but the elephant seemed to get weaker and couldn’t rise. The teams left the elephant to recover overnight and returned the following day. The next day the team found her on her side and sadly still couldn’t get her on her feet. The elephant was put to sleep on animal welfare grounds.

Post-mortem The post-mortem revealed all the carpal bones of the left limb had been broken to fragments, and the joint integrity had been lost. The wound appeared to have been longstanding and had healed with a lot of scar tissue, therefore preventing pus exudation.

Case 5 – 14th September 2019 Zebra

Post-mortem

Amboseli National Park

KWS rangers on patrol reported a seemingly healthy looking but dead zebra to the AMVU. Examination The carcass body condition was rated three in a range of 1-5, where 1 indicats severe emaciation and 5 obesity. The conjunctiva and buccal mucosa were pale. The head had abrasions next to the ear pinna.

Respiratory system: The trachea had blood-tinged froth and a few worms of Dictyocalus species. The thoracic cavity also had blood-tinged fluid.

Digestive system: The intestines were covered by a fibrino-purulent exudate. The rest of the abdominal cavity was filled with yellowish fluids. The liver and spleen were also covered with the fibrinous material.

The mesenteric vessels were congested. The non- glandular part of the stomach had orange-red larvae (Gastrophilus intestinalis). The stomach was filled with water like fluid. The lumen of the duodenum had small swellings, caused by the attachment of the Gastrophilus larvae. The apex of the cecum had invaginated into its own body and into the colon. The intussuscepted cecum was filled with fibrinous material and yellowish material Cause of Death Hypovolemic shock due to peritonitis, which caused leakage of fluids into the peritoneal cavity.

Case 6 – 23rd September 2019 Elephant

Spear

Amboseli National Park

A member of the community at Iremito, adjacent to Amboseli National Park, reported the dead elephant.

Rangers on patrol, visited the site to confirm and secure the trophies. The next day, the AMVU team visited the site to conduct the post mortem.

Examination The carcass was autolyzed and no predators (Hyenas and vultures) had scavenged on the body. KWS rangers had removed the tusks. A penetrating wound was seen to the chest area next to the left elbow.

An incision was made through the wound and there was black colouration under the skin. The wound had extended into the heart muscle, which was surrounded by massive blood clots.

The penetration appeared to have gone through the ventricle of the heart. This injury damaged the heart muscle, causing organ failure and severe bleeding.

Cause of Death A spear wound that caused hypovolemic shock due to blood loss.

Case 7 – 23rd September 2019 Giraffe

Snared

Amboseli National Park

The AMVU team received the report of a snared giraffe from Mr. Muraya, a Ticket Inspection Unit driver (TIU). The team visited the site, confirmed and decided to immobilize for snare removal.

Immobilisation, examination and treatment The animal was immobilized with 13mgs Etorphine and 30mgs Azaperone. The first dart did not discharge, and a top-up of the same amount was given in a second dart.

The animal went down in 9 minutes and was revived immediately after, using 36mgs of Diprenorphine then restrained physically.

The snare was loose and did not cause any injuries; it was removed with a wire cutter then the giraffe was released.

Prognosis As there were no resultant injuries, the prognosis is good.

Case 8 – 27th September 2019 Elephant

Post-mortem

Shompole, Magadi

A member of the community at Shompole area reported the carcass. Ngurumani KWS rangers visited the site to confirm the case and retrieve the tusks. AMVU team conducted the post-mortem examination on the second day after the report.

Immobilisation, examination and treatment The carcass had been scavenged on the gluteus area, most probably by hyenas.

An incision was made through the abdomen. The intestines were autolyzed and black in colour. A portion was sampled for lab analysis.

No external injuries or wounds were found.

Cause of Death Non-conclusive but probably age-related.