SWT/KWS Mara Mobile Veterinary Unit - October 2019

SWT/KWS MARA MOBILE VETERINARY UNIT OCTOBER 2019

Introduction

4 Cases in October

1 Poaching Case

75% Success

October Report by Dr. Campaign Limo The period under review was characterised by moderate to heavy precipitation with plenty of food and water available for most herbivores. Cases reported for intervention greatly decreased possibly due to decreased competition for resources such as water and fodder thereby limiting human-wildlife conflicts.

A pride of lions at Olkeju Ronkai within Mara National Reserve were reported with unusual signs of coughing, lethargy and dyspnea. The clinical signs were consistent with viral rhinotracheitis which is self-limiting when the animal immunity is not compromised. Continuous monitoring of these lions for the next one week revealed tremendous improvement and they all finally recovered.

The following report covers the cases attended to in October 2019.

Acknowledgement The Mara Mobile Veterinary Unit would like to acknowledge support given to it by various stakeholders towards attending to cases requiring intervention. Thanks to Minara Foundation through SWT for their facilitation to the unit. Thanks also to the KWS management for their technical support to the unit.

Case Details Date

Species

Area Found

Reason for Intervention

11-Oct-19

Cheetah

Olarro Conservancy

Human Wildlife Conflict

13-Oct-19

Rhino Black

Mara Triangle

Natural Causes

14-Oct-19

Zebra

Mara Triangle

Snared

Giraffe

Machakos, Central Kenya

Human Wildlife Conflict

17-Oct-19

Examination revealed a compound fracture of her left hind leg involving both tibia and fibula. The situation was complicated by sepsis. Most likely caused by a vehicle accident.

This big male is christened ‘Koileken’. The picture was consistent with cutaneous filariasis with worm larvae causing immunological reaction. Assessment of this patient was only possible from the air after searching for him for some time.

She was found grazing with other zebras with the snare tight round her chest. She appeared restless.

The lodge management found this big giraffe bull trapped in a septic pit that had been poorly secured within their lodge

Outcome

HWC Death

Successfully Treated

Successfully Treated Successfully Treated

SWT/KWS Mara Mobile Vet Unit Treatment Locations October 2019

. Case

1 – 11th October 2019

Cheetah

Human-Wildlife Conflict

Olarro Conservancy

This lone female, a resident in Olarro Conservancy was seen injured and limping by the Conservancy Rangers.

They called the mobile veterinary unit for help.

Immobilisation, examination and treatment The cheetah was traced to a small bush within the Conservancy where she was hiding. She appeared not ready to come into the open on her own. After a few minutes of waiting, the team decide to gently drive her out of the bush. She came out but her left hind leg was swinging. She could not place any weight on it.

Restraint was achieved chemically by use of a combination of 1.5mgs Medetomidine hydrochloride and 130mgs Ketamine hydrochloride. She was darted from a vehicle and moved a short distance before becoming fully anaesthetized.

Examination revealed a compound fracture of her left hind leg involving both tibia and fibula. The situation was complicated by sepsis at the fracture point. Fracture could have occurred four days before being discovered. She also had bruises on the left side of her body pointing to a possibility of this being an automobile accident given that a busy public road passes close to where she was found.

Prognosis The prognosis was considered grave and to stop her further suffering euthanasia was recommended and effectively achieved.

. Case

2 – 13th October 2019

Black Rhino

Natural Causes

Mara Triangle

This big male christened ‘Koileken’ was seen with a big ulcer on the right side of his abdomen. The picture was consistent with cutaneous filariasis with worm larvae causing immunological reaction beneath the skin and eventual sloughing off of skin tissue. The size of the ulcer warranted intervention. Assessment of this patient was only possible from the air after searching for him for some time. He was seen at the edge of a forest which confirmed the wound on the right side of his abdomen.

Immobilisation, examination and treatment Immobilization was achieved with a combination of 4.5mgs Etorphine hydrochloride and 80mgs Azaperone tartarate. The rhino was darted from a helicopter with the drugs taking full effect after ten minutes. This rhino was placed in a more comfortable position and given Butorphanol and Doxapram to stabilize the anaesthetic. Examination revealed a big ulcer consistent with cutaneous filariasis infestation with a diameter of 8inches. Tissue samples were collected from the ulcer before commencement of treatment. The wound was scrubbed to remove dead tissues with the help of hydrogen peroxide, then rinsed with clean water and disinfected with tincture of Iodine. Green clay was packed into the wound to prevent sepsis and hasten healing. Other treatments given include Amoxicillin antibiotic injection given intramuscularly and Ivermectin parasiticide given subcutaneously to eliminate both internal and external parasites.

Prognosis The rhino woke up two minutes post revival and retreated to the forest. Prognosis for recovery is good.

Case 3 – 14th October 2019 Zebra

Snared

Mara Triangle

This zebra was in a herd of many migrating zebras and was seen with a tight wire snare round her chest. She had a young foal. The Conservancy Management reached out to the Mobile Veterinary Unit for help.

Immobilisation, examination and treatment Restraint was achieved chemically with the use of a combination of 5mgs Etorphine hydrochloride and 50mgs Azaperone tartarate. The zebra was darted from a vehicle and became fully anaesthetized after five minutes.

Examination revealed a tight cable wire snare round her chest creating a deep wound. The wire was cut loose and the resultant wound was debrided with Hydrogen peroxide and rinsed with clean water. Tincture of Iodine and Oxytetracycline spray was applied topically and then green clay packed to prevent sepsis.

Other treatments given included long acting Amoxicillin antibiotics and Flunixin meglumine antiinflammatory.

Prognosis Reversal of the anaesthetic was achieved by administration of 15mgs Diprenorphine intravenously through the jugular vein. She woke up in two minutes to join her waiting foal. They together proceeded to join the bigger herd. Prognosis is good.

Case 4 – 17th October 2019 Giraffe

Human-Wildlife Conflict

Machakos, Central Kenya

The lodge management found this big giraffe bull trapped in a septic pit that had been poorly secured within their lodge and notified the Masai Mara Reserve Management who in turn requested the Mobile Veterinary Unit for help.

Rescue Operation This big bull was trapped in an active septic pit about three meters deep with a concrete wall. The pit was poorly secured with this giraffe accidently falling into it. It seemed to have struggled for most part of the night before being discovered in the morning. He had bruises on his legs and chest from the struggles.

After considering many factors, the team decided to dismantle a section of the concrete wall and create a gentle slope for the giraffe to climb out.

He tried to climb out with difficulty but the team assisted by with ropes and poles which eventually helped him out. He was physically restrained and given long acting Amoxicillin antibiotics intramuscularly and Butosal intravenously as a tonic against exhaustion. He was released and he moved away in good condition.

Prognosis Prognosis is good.