MARA VETERINARY REPORT FOR APRIL 2019

SWT/KWS MARA MOBILE VETERINARY UNIT April 2019

Introduction

8 Cases in April

4 Elephant Cases

1 Rescue

April Report by Dr. Campaign Limo The Mara has experienced prolonged periods of little to no rain. However, there are indications of increased precipitation in the days to come. This mirrors the previous month’s weather pattern. There is still fodder for wildlife available, but it is low in quality. Water is also becoming scarce within the conservation area and there is overcrowding of wildlife at the few watering points remaining.

Acknowledgement The Mara Mobile Veterinary team would like to appreciate assistance offered to them by many stakeholders during the month. Some of the stakeholders brought to the attention of the unit animals requiring help while others participated during treatment and rescue activities. Thanks to Minara Foundation through SWT for their facilitation to the unit. Thanks to KWS management for the technical assistance offered to the unit.

Case Details Date

Species

Area Found

Reason for Intervention

Outcome

07-Apr-19

Elephant

Esoit, Masai Mara

Rescue

This young calf was seen wandering alone in a community area

Taken to Orphanage

08-Apr-19

Giraffe

Mara Triangle

Natural Causes

Struggling to push a partially expulsed foetus

Successfully Treated

10-Apr-19

Giraffe

Olosukut Conservancy

Natural Causes

Trapped within a narrow exit at Mara River bank near a lodge

Died

15-Apr-19

Elephant

Olderkesi Conservancy

Postmortem

Appeared to have been in good body condition before death

Died

17-Apr-19

Lion

Masai Mara NR

Natural Causes

This big male got into a territorial fight and was left with fight injuries

Successfully Treated

20-Apr-19

Elephant

Olkinyei Conservancy

Postmortem

The carcass was found partly submerged in shallow waters

Died

22-Apr-19

Giraffe

Olkinyei Conservancy

Human Wildlife Conflict

This big male was trapped in a fence line resulting in fractured legs

HWC Death

26-Apr-19

Elephant

Mara Triangle

Arrow

His lower jaw, left side of his upper jaw and ear pinna were swollen

Successfully Treated

SWT/KWS Mara Mobile Vet Unit Treatment Locations April 2019

Case 1 – 7th April 2019 Elephant

Rescue

Esoit, Masai Mara

This young calf was seen wandering alone in a community area by villagers who informed KWS and Oloisukut rangers on patrol. Close monitoring of this calf for the next 24 hours showed that she had been abandoned or orphaned as she was browsing and wandering alone. They requested the mobile veterinary unit for assistance as this baby could not survive in the wild alone at this age.

Restraint and Rescue The Vet Unit found this calf alone in a community area near settlements. She had a few superficial injuries that were inflicted with a sharp object. She was browsing but was very nervous of the vet vehicle and the presence of people. No other elephant herds could be found in the area and a decision to rescue this baby to increase her chances of survival was arrived at.

The calf was restrained manually with ropes before being calmed with 40mgs Azaperone. Her wounds were superficial and posed no immediate danger. These wounds were disinfected before this calf was loaded onto a truck.

She was taken to a nearby airstrip where she was loaded into a plane which took her directly to the Sheldrick’s Elephant Orphanage in Nairobi. At the nursery she will receive the care needed to nurse her back to health and she will have the company of the other orphans. Eventually she will be reintegrated into the wild.

Case 2 – 8th April 2019 Giraffe

Natural Causes

Mara Triangle

This giraffe was seen struggling to push a partially expulsed foetus. The Limbs were partially trapped by the placenta. After about nine hours of close monitoring, it was evident there was no progress in the parturition process with signs that the foetus was already dead.

Immobilisation, examination and treatment The Vet Unit found the giraffe late in the evening, in the company of another giraffe, still struggling to push out the foetus. The giraffe was chemically restrained with a combination of 12mgs Etorphine hydrochloride and 50mgs Azaperone. She was darted from a vehicle and the drugs took full effect after ten minutes. She was then roped to the ground for treatment.

Examination revealed a dead foetus on posterior presentation, extended posture and dorsal position. The placenta had entangled the foetus. The placenta was carefully removed and with copious lubrication the bull calf was pulled gently with ropes tied to the hind limbs. It took eight minutes to relieve this giraffe from the dystocia. After the calf was free, Lugol’s iodine was infused into the uterus. Additionally, the giraffe was given Amoxicillin antibiotic, Flunixin meglumine anti-inflammatory and Butasal muscle and nerve tonic.

Reversal and Prognosis The anaesthetic was reversed with 36mgs Diprenorphine given intravenously through the jugular vein. After resting for ten minutes, she rose up and joined the other giraffe. The prognosis is good

Case 3 – 10th April 2019 Giraffe

Natural Causes

Oloisukut Conservancy

This bull was spotted by Oloisukut rangers and surrounding lodge managers, trapped within a narrow exit at the Mara River bank near a lodge. He had been struggling for some time but appeared exhausted and remained recumbent. They called the mobile veterinary unit for help.

Immobilisation, examination and treatment This bull had slid down to a rocky area at the base of the bank. He was exhausted and had assumed right lateral recumbency. His left eye was cloudy, but this was thought to have been a long-term problem. The head was evidently swollen from constantly banging on the rocks while attempting to get up.

He was roped and pulled to a sternal position whilst the head and neck were supported upright. A kink on the neck was evident and palpation revealed a possible dislocation of the cervical vertebrae. Any attempt to pull him to his feet was fruitless as he did not make any efforts to support himself. He could not maintain his head up without support.

After several attempts to support him and pull him to his feet failed, it was felt this bull was slowly deteriorating and his prognosis was considered grave.

The team felt it was wise to stop further suffering of this giraffe and euthanasia was recommended and effectively carried out.

Case 4 – 15th April 2019 Elephant

Post-mortem

Olderkesi Conservancy

The carcass of this elephant was discovered by Masai Mara Reserve Rangers on their daily patrols. They informed their KWS colleagues who called the Veterinary unit for examination.

General Observation This bull, approximately 30 years old, appeared to have been in good body condition before death. The tusks had been removed by Masai Mara Reserve Rangers for accounting and safe custody. This was a two-day old carcass on estimation with putrefaction progressing.

There was also extensive scavenging with internal organs already consumed by hyenas leaving a shell.

Cause of Death It was difficult to grossly pinpoint cause of death for this elephant due to its state and viable samples could not be collected.

Case 5 – 17th April 2019 Lion

Natural Causes

Masai Mara National Reserve

This big male and his brother are dominant around the Double Cross area, but they strayed into a bordering territory occupied by two young active males leading to a vicious fight. He was left with serious fight injuries.

Tour guides and Masai Mara Reserve Rangers sought the help of the Vet Unit as he was in great discomfort.

Immobilisation, examination and treatment The Vet Unit found the lion lying in the shade evidently in a lot of pain and resisting any movement. Restraint was achieved chemically with 6mgs Medetomidine hydrochloride and 280mgs Ketamine hydrochloride. He was darted from a vehicle and it took eight minutes for him to be fully anaesthetised. He was relocated to a cool place under a tree and away from the nearby aggressive males before commencement of treatment.

Examination revealed multiple bite wounds caused by territorial fights. The most serious wounds were located on his back and right shoulder. These were relatively fresh wounds and were flushed with tincture of Iodine after the blood clots were evacuated. Cloxacillin wound ointment was infused into the wound to prevent bacterial infection. Oxytetracycline spray was then applied topically. He was also given Amoxicillin antibiotics and Dexamethasone sodium anti-inflammatory.

Reversal and Prognosis The anaesthetic was reversed one hour after immobilisation. He woke up after ten minutes, stood briefly before assuming a sitting posture under the shade. Prognosis is good.

Case 6 – 20th April 2019 Elephant

Post-mortem

Olkinyei Conservancy

The carcass of this young bull was seen partially submerged in a river within the Conservancy by Olkinyei Conservancy Rangers. None of the Conservancy Rangers had seen this elephant sick. Reports indicated there were a few herds around the previous evening and some elephants were heard trumpeting.

General Observation The carcass was pulled out for examination. No external injuries were seen on either side, except a missing portion of trunk thought to have been ripped off by scavengers. His body condition was considered satisfactory at 3.5 on a scale of 1 – 5. On opening the carcass, the following findings were noted; • • • • • •

The muscle cover was satisfactory He appeared to have been feeding well and the entire gastrointestinal tract was full The spleen appeared normal in colour, size and consistency The liver appeared grossly congested.

There was deposition of fibrin in areas surrounding the lungs.

The left lung appeared compromised with fibrin infiltration leading to complete obliteration of alveolar tissue. Much of it was dense with froth and a lot of fluid on expression. The right lung was also affected leaving a small viable portion.

•

All other organs appeared normal.

Cause of Death This elephant could have died from lung complications, with signs of fibrinous pneumonia. With much of the lung tissue affected, the remaining healthy portion could not adequately sustain respiratory functions. This led to respiratory failure and eventual loss of this elephant.

Case 7 – 22nd April 2019 Giraffe

Human-wildlife Conflict

Nkoilale, Masai Mara

This big male was reported trapped in a fence line and struggling to free himself by Olkinyei Conservancy Rangers. They called the mobile veterinary unit for assistance.

General Observation This big bull was found next to the fence after finally freeing himself. He was lying on right lateral recumbency with his head on the ground down a slope.

Closer examination revealed a compound fracture of his left front leg at proximal metacarpus. His right front limb had a complete but closed fracture of the metacarpus.

This giraffe appeared to be in great pain and suffering with grave prognosis.

Prognosis The team felt necessary to end further suffering of this giraffe by putting him to sleep which was effectively done.

Case 8 – 26th April 2019 Elephant

Arrow

Mara Triangle

This young bull was seen alone with a swollen lower jaw by Mara Triangle Conservancy Rangers. They reported it to the mobile veterinary unit and requested assistance.

Immobilisation, examination and treatment He was found alone near a small stream browsing intermittently. He appeared to be in great pain. His lower jaw, the left side of his upper jaw and the ear pinna were swollen. Examination revealed a septic wound at the base of his left tusk which he kept on splashing with mud. His body condition appeared poor.

He was darted from a vehicle with 13mgs Etorphine hydrochloride and it took ten minutes for the drugs to take full effect. After putting him in a comfortable position, examination was carried out which revealed a septic wound that had been caused by a poisoned arrow. The arrow had fallen out but had caused severe tissue damage and sepsis. All necrotic tissues were removed with Hydrogen peroxide then the wound was disinfected with tincture of Iodine. Cloxacillin ointment was infused with green clay and packed into the wound before oxytetracycline wound spray was applied topically. He was also treated with Amoxicillin antibiotic and Flunixin meglumine anti-inflammatory.

Reversal and Prognosis The anaesthetic was reversed by administration of 36mgs Diprenorphine hydrochloride given intravenously.

Ropes were used to assist him to his feet and he walked away. His prognosis is good.