SWT/KWS MERU MOBILE VETERINARY UNIT JULY 2019
Introduction
6 Cases in July
3 Rhino Cases
71% Success
July Report by Dr. Bernard Rono This report describes activities of the Meru veterinary unit operating in northern Kenya in July 2019. The unit attended to a mountain bongo in Mount Kenya Game ranch. In Solio ranch, a black rhino had severe lameness on its left hind limb and a white rhino suffered a puncture wound to its hind quarters. In Meru national park, the Unit attended to a white rhino which showed lameness and a waterbuck with a tight snare around its neck.
Acknowledgement This veterinary unit is supported by Sheldrick Wildlife which provides financial and logistical support. We also acknowledge support of KWS management and rangers in the field who monitor wildlife and report cases for rescue.
Case Details Date
Species
Area Found
11-Jul-19
Antelope
Mount Kenya
Natural Causes
Semi-captive bongo had loss of body condition and lameness
Successfully Treated
12-Jul-19
Rhino White
Solio Ranch
Natural Causes
An infected wound with pus oozing from the caudal aspect of the left thigh
Task Successful
12-Jul-19
Rhino Black
Solio Ranch
Natural Causes
It had a swelling on the middle phalanx; however, it could step on the affected leg
Task Successful
14-Jul-19
Leopard
Lamuria, Laikipia
Human Wildlife Conflict
Captured due to livestock predation which revealed amputation of the foot due to a snare
Taken to Orphanage
24-Jul-19
Rhino White
Meru National Park
Natural Causes
Had watery diarrhea and loss of body condition for the past month
Task Successful
Waterbuck
Meru National Park
Snared
A water buck which had a tight snare around its neck
Poaching Death
24-Jul-19
Reason for Intervention
Outcome
SWT/KWS Meru Mobile Vet Unit Treatment Locations July 2019
Case 1 – 11th July 2019 Bongo
Natural Causes
Mount Kenya Game Ranch
The Mount Kenya Game Ranch reported one of their semi-captive bongos had shown loss of body condition and lameness of its right forelimb for two weeks. The requested the veterinary Unit to come and assess and treat the bongo Examination and treatment The bongo was in an enclosure, in a semi-captive environment so did not require immobilisation for assessment and treatment. Closer examination revealed that the bongo had suffered a cracked hoof. It was treated with antibiotics delivered by a Dan-Inject darting system. The Vet also advised further monitoring and report on its progress. It had a good prognosis for recovery.
Case 2 – 12th July 2019 Black Rhino
Natural Causes
Solio Ranch, Laikipia
A black rhino in Solio showed lameness of its right hind leg for the past five days. Immobilization, examination and treatment The vet unit drove to Solio Ranch to assess the condition of the rhino and decide the best course of action. Observation revealed that it had a swelling of the middle phalanx, however, it could stand on the affected leg. The vet unit recommended continued monitoring of this rhino since it was in good body condition and could recover without intervention. However, after two weeks the rhino hadn’t made any improvement and was treated by the SWT/KWS vet unit based in Nanyuki (Mount Kenya Vet Unit).
Case 3 – 12th July 2019 White Rhino
Natural Causes
Solio Ranch, Laikipia
A white rhino in Solio ranch showed an infected wound with pus oozing from the caudal aspect of the left thigh. Immobilization, examination and treatment The vet unit were already at Solio Ranch to assess the condition of a black rhino and so also assessed this white rhino which had a wound. Observation revealed It was in good body condition and there was no lameness of the affected limb even when it was encouraged to move. The puncture wound is suspected to have been inflicted during a fight and already showed signs of healing. It was therefore decided that it did not require immediate intervention, but the rhino would be closely monitored.
Case 4 – 14th Jul 2019 Leopard
Human-wildlife Conflict
Lamuria, Laikipia
KWS Rangers captured a leopard that was within community land using a cage trap following complaints of livestock predation by the community. After it was captured, the rangers discovered it had suffered a traumatic amputation of its left front leg and referred the leopard to the Meru Vet Unit for treatment.
Immobilisation, examination and treatment To assess the extent of injury the vet unit immobilized the leopard in the cage using a combination of Ketamine 100mg and Medetomidine 2mg delivered in a Dan-Inject dart. Examination showed that the left front leg was amputated at the metacarpo-phalangeal joint, injuries believed to have been caused by a snare. These injuries caused severe pain, negatively affected the welfare of this animal in the wild and most likely why the leopard and resorted to attacking livestock which is easier prey. The wounds were cleaned and treated with antiseptics, then pain killers and antibiotics were administered. Prognosis The leopard was treated and referred for further management at a captive facility at KWS headquarters in Nairobi.
Case 5 – 24th July 2019 Waterbuck
Snared
Meru National Park
Rangers on patrol reported a water buck which had a tight snare around its neck in Kambi ya chuma, Meru National park. The veterinary unit responded immediately. Examination When the vet unit arrived, the water buck was comatose and in labour with a dead foetus on its vulva. T he vet immediately set about removing the snare as immobilisation was not required. Unfortunately, minutes after removing the snare the waterbuck died from asphyxiation. The security team has since intensified patrols in the area to remove snares and keep away poachers.
Case 6 – 24th July 2019 White Rhino
Natural Causes
Meru National Park
A female white rhino in Meru National Park presented with watery diarrhea and loss of body condition for the past one month. It had a 22-month-old calf and is estimated at 30 – 35 years old. Examination Its condition seems to have been worsened by the dry weather conditions in northern Kenya. No intervention was carried out, but the Unit recommended further monitoring in case there is need for supplementation of its diet.