SWT/KWS Meru Mobile Veterinary Unit

SWT/KWS MERU MOBILE VETERINARY UNIT JUNE 2019

Introduction

4 Cases in June

1 Poaching Case

75% Success

June Report by Dr. Bernard Rono

This report describes the activities of the Meru Veterinary Unit in northern Kenya in June 2019.

In Bouralghy Conservancy, Garissa we removed a snare from a giraffe’s leg and treated debilitating injuries caused by the snare. Close to Meru National Park we relocated a problem leopard. In Naibunga Conservancy, Laikipia we treated an elephant bull which showed severe lameness. In Dertu, Garissa County, over several days, we investigated an outbreak of an unknown disease which caused mortality in reticulated giraffe.

Acknowledgement We thank the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust (SWT) for material support and Mobile Unit funding and KWS for logistical support and security.

Case Details Date

Species

Area Found

Reason for Intervention

Outcome

03-Jun-19

Giraffe

Bouralghy, Garissa

Snared

A wire snare around its right hind leg which caused a debilitating injury

Successfully Treated

09-Jun-19

Leopard

Meru

Humanwildlife conflict

Relocated due to Livestock predation outside the National Park

Task Successful

20-Jun-19

Elephant

Naibunga Conservancy

Natural Causes

Manipulation revealed excessive mobility of the elbow joint with crepitus

Prognosis Poor

25-Jun-19

Giraffe

Dertu, Garissa

Natural Causes

Possible outbreak of unknown disease IN giraffe, gerenuk and lesser Kudu

Successfully Treated

SWT/KWS Meru Mobile Vet Unit Treatment Locations June 2019

Case 1 – 3rd June 2019 Giraffe

Snared

Bouralghy Sanctuary, Garissa

A reticulated giraffe in Bouralghy Conservancy had a wire snare around its right hind leg which had caused a debilitating injury, leg deformity and loss of body condition for the past 3 months. During a previous visit to the sanctuary this giraffe could not be found for de-snaring. In June, the Vet Unit returned to the Sanctuary and located the giraffe with the help of scouts from the Bouralghy sanctuary.

Immobilisation, examination and treatment The giraffe was driven on foot to open ground and then darted from the vehicle. A combination of Etorphine Hcl 12mg and Azaperone tartate 30mg delivered in a 1.5cc Dan-Inject dart was used. Down time was 12 minutes with the animal falling on its left side.

Due to the risks posed to giraffe from being anesthetised, the drug was immediately reversed with Diprenophine hydrochloride 36mg through the jugular vein and the animal restrained physically by holding the neck and head firmly to the ground. The winch wire snare was removed by loosening the knot and the wound washed with water, antiseptic and iodine. Antibiotic and anti-inflammatory drugs were also administered.

Prognosis After removal of snare, this giraffe is expected to recover completely from the injuries. We suggested the sanctuary establish a permanent de-snaring team in the area to prevent further injuries to animals.

Case 2 – 9th June 2019 Leopard

Human-wildlife Conflict

Kora National Park

A leopard which had strayed out of Meru national park was reported to be causing livestock losses in pastoralist communities living on the eastern part of the park.

Capture The leopard preyed upon local livestock and posed a risk to the lives of livestock herders creating human-wildlife conflict. As a result, it was very likely the local communities would try to kill the leopard, so it needed to be relocated to resolve the issue.

A cage trap was set up to capture the leopard which was successful. The Vet Team assessed the leopard once captured and found it to be in good condition; its teeth were not worn and there were no injuries. There was no need to immobilise the animal for the assessment.

It was released in Kora National Park where it is expected to settle.

Case 3 – 20th June 2019 Elephant

Natural Causes

Naibunga Conservancy

Rangers patrolling the conservancy found an elephant showing lameness and a swollen front left leg. They requested for an examination of this elephant to determine the cause of injury and treat the animal.

Immobilisation, examination and treatment The elephant bull was darted and went down in five minutes. The elephant was doused with plenty of water to cool it and its trunk extended to ensure patent airway.

The left front leg was obviously swollen distal to the humerus. Manipulation revealed excessive mobility of the elbow joint with crepitus but no external injury was found. Differential diagnoses considered were fracture of the humerus or elbow joint dislocation. A conservative treatment approach was used with parenteral administration of antibiotics and anti-inflammatory drugs.

Prognosis After reversal of the anaesthetic the elephant was roped and assisted to a standing position by a vehicle. This elephant showed minimal improvement over the next week and later crossed to Loisaba Conservancy where it was reported to have died 14 days after this treatment. It was found to have a fracture of the humerus.

Case 4 – 25th June 2019 Giraffe

Research/Survey

Dertu, Garissa

On the 14th May 2019, the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) warden in Garissa County reported a possible outbreak of unknown disease affecting reticulated giraffe, gerenuk and lesser kudu in Dertu Division, Garissa County. The local communities reported that several giraffes died, and others were sick and they feared the disease may spread to their livestock, mainly camels.

The Meru Vet Unit did a follow up disease investigation mission on 25 – 29 June 2019 with the KWS veterinary and research team from ECA to identify, diagnose and treat sick animals and institute disease prevention measures. The team was joined by a laboratory technologist from KWS headquarters to collect and analyze biological samples for disease diagnosis.

Immobilisation, examination and treatment Four (4) reticulated giraffe carcasses (three subadults and one adult) estimated more than one month old were verified within Dertu division. No meaningful sample could be obtained from any of the carcass.

In general, all wildlife encountered were in fair to good body condition. However, it was noted that wildlife densities were lower in the drier areas; a fact supported by reports from earlier visits by the area warden and availability of suitable wildlife habitats in the area.

One (1) giraffe in Shantahabaq area showed skin lesions on the dorsal aspect of the abdomen and hind quarters. This giraffe was immobilized using a combination of Etorphine and Azaperone and roped to lateral recumbence for treatment. Examination showed alopecia, seborrhea and encrustation. Differential diagnoses considered were dermatophilosis and sarcoptic mange. Symptomatic treatment was given using systemic antibiotics, Ivermectin and anti-inflammatory drugs.

Deep skin scrapings were obtained and preserved in 3% glycerol, treated with potassium hydroxide in the laboratory and observed under a microscope. The sample was negative for mites. A duplicate skin scraping sample was preserved in absolute ethanol for future analysis. The blood sample analyzed by complete blood cell count was reported normal.

Three (3) other giraffes which showed low body scores were immobilized to collect blood samples for analysis. Protozoa piroplasms were demonstrated on all blood smears. Aliquots of whole blood were also preserved in liquid nitrogen for future reference.

Conclusion and Recommendations • • • •

There is need to undertake long term health monitoring of the reticulated giraffe population in the area and the entire North Eastern Kenya so as to provide timely response to disease outbreaks Presence of skin lesions in giraffes and protozoa piroplasms in blood smears were considered incidental findings as it did not cause overt disease in any of the immobilized giraffes.

More studies are required to understand the cause and impact of skin disease on giraffe populations in northern Kenya KWS and conservation partners should consider supplying water to areas used by wildlife as a drought mitigation measure