SWT/KWS Mt Kenya Mobile Veterinary Unit - June 2019

SWT/KWS MT KENYA MOBILE VETERINARY UNIT JUNE 2019

Introduction

2 Cases in June

1 Elephant Case

100% Success

June Report by Dr. Domnic Mijele

The Mt Kenya Wildlife Veterinary unit responded to wildlife emergency cases that required urgent veterinary intervention in Laikipia ecosystem and Mt. Kenya region during the month of June, 2019. Due to heavy rains experienced in the month of June, there was adequate feeds and water for both wildlife and livestock and the number of human-wildlife conflict cases reduced as such only a few cases were reported for veterinary attention. Some of the veterinary activities attended to included treatment of an injured mountain bongo at Mt. Kenya game ranch and treatment of injured adult female elephant at Naibunga Wildlife Conservancy as highlighted in the report below; Acknowledgement We highly acknowledge and appreciate the support from our partner Sheldrick Wildlife Trust (SWT), KWS and other partners for supporting wildlife veterinary services in Laikipia and Mt. Kenya regions and other parts of the country. This has made it possible for the veterinary teams to respond and save many endangered wildlife species that require urgent veterinary attention almost on daily basis.

Case Details Date

Species

Area Found

Reason for Intervention

Outcome

11-Jun-19

Bongo

Mt Kenya Game Ranch

Natural Causes

Had a deep wound on the right thigh caused by a territorial fight

Successfully Treated

13-Jun-19

Elephant

Naibunga Conservancy

Natural Causes

Injury suspected to have been caused by walking on rocky and hilly terrains

Successfully Treated

SWT/KWS Mt Kenya Mobile Vet Unit Treatment Locations June 2019

Case 1 – 11th June 2019 Bongo

Natural Causes

Mt Kenya Game Ranch

This was an adult male mountain bongo that had a deep wound on the right thigh oozing pus and exudates.

It was a traumatic wound to the soft tissues suspected to have been caused by a territorial fight with other bongos or pierced by a sharp tree stump within the enclosure. The animal was in pain and required urgent veterinary intervention to dress the wound and provide medication.

Immobilisation, examination and treatment The bongo was isolated in one of the enclosures where it was darted in the thigh. It became immobilized and recumbent after about 10 minutes. The wound was cleaned properly using forceps and gauze swabs, then debrided using Hydrogen peroxide and Iodine. The wound was further treated using Opticlox ointment, green clay and Oxytetracycline spray and left to heal as an open wound. The animal was then given Betamox, Dexamethasone and a Multivitamin injection.

On further examination of the hooves, the hooves on both hind legs were excessively overgrown and curved upwards affecting the gait of the animal. Both the hooves were trimmed using a small hack-saw and hoof trimmer for the animal to regain normal gait. Blood samples were also collected from the jugular vein and will be used for passive disease surveillance.

Prognosis Prognosis was quite good after treatment of the wound and it has since made a good recovery.

Case 2 – 13th June 2019 Elephant

Natural Causes

Naibunga Wildlife Conservancy, Laikipia

This was a case of an adult female elephant which was found limping and walking with difficulties within Naibunga Wildlife Conservancy, it was being careful not to put weight on the left front leg. It was found alone while still feeding and able to walk to the watering point to drink water, it was suspected to have a dislocation on the affected leg. The cause of the injury was not known but suspected to have been caused by walking on the rocky, rugged and hilly terrains of the Dol dol area.

Immobilisation, examination and treatment The injured elephant was carefully approached on foot and immobilized by darting in the shoulder muscle.

It was immobilized after about 6 minutes and went down on lateral recumbency.

The affected left front leg was slightly swollen compared to the right leg, it was then palpated and flexed severally at the carpal and elbow joint to ascertain the cause of limping, the elephant had no wound or any other external injury on the affected leg. This was suspected to be a dislocation or sprain at the left carpal joint. It only had a small lacerative wound on the perineal region that was just superficial on the skin.

Prognosis Prognosis was quite favourable as the elephant was relatively young and strong, able to walk, feed and had access to water. It is therefore likely to recover but will be monitored to ascertain the progress.