SWT/KWS Tsavo Mobile Veterinary Unit- June 2019

SWT/KWS TSAVO MOBILE VETERINARY UNIT JUNE 2019

Introduction

12 Cases in June

7 Poaching Cases

6 Elephant Cases

June Report by Dr. Jeremiah Poghorn The month of June returned mixed fortunes with a general decrease in cases reported in Tsavo East National Park but an increase in the Taita Ranches and northern parts of the ecosystem. An elephant bull was treated for an old wound in Tsavo West National Park and another bull treated for a dislocation injury in Lumo Conservancy. In Tsavo East, one elephant cow had collapsed and was treated and helped up, whilst a young elephant bull was treated for a penetrating wound to the lower limb. Another elephant cow had deeply embedded spear stuck in her head in Selenkei Conservancy in Amboseli, and a big elephant bull was treated for 5 spears wounds near Oldonyo Wuas lodge within the Chyulu hills. A cheetah was also attended at Oldonyo Wuas but was found dead from a spear wound. In Mgeno Ranch and Rukinga Ranch, 4 zebras and one eland died from wire snares. Also in Rukinga, a lion was saved from imminent death caused by a wire snare. In southern Tsavo East a male hyena was euthanized after being diagnosed with an untreatable injury from a suspected territorial fight with other Hyenas.

Acknowledgement The unit acknowledges the support of its sponsors ViER PFOTEN through the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust (SWT) for their huge financial support to the unit. We also thank Kenya Wildlife Service through the Assistant director Tsavo conservation area and the head, veterinary and capture services department for their support.

Case Details Date

Species

Area Found

05-Jun-19 Elephant Tsavo West NP 08-Jun-19

Cheetah

11-Jun-19 Elephant

Reason for Intervention

Arrow

Lumo Conservancy Lumo Conservancy

HumanWildlife Conflict Natural Causes Postmortem

Chyulu National Park

13-Jun-19

Lion

13-Jun-19

Zebra

Mgeno Ranch

Snared

13-Jun-19

Lion

Rukinga Ranch

Snared

13-Jun-19

Zebra

Rukinga Ranch

Snared

20-Jun-19

Hyena

Tsavo East NP

22-Jun-19 Elephant

Tsavo East NP

24-Jun-19 Elephant

Tsavo East NP

28-Jun-19 Elephant 30-Jun-19 Elephant

Selenkei Conservancy Chyulu National Park

Natural Causes Natural Causes Bullet Wound Spear Spear

Outcome

The old wound had healed with fibrosis giving it a characteristic swelling

Successfully Treated

Penetrating wound to left abdominal area with massive internal bleeding

HWC Death

There was a swelling of the left knee joint

Prognosis Poor

The carcass had been scavenged on and only parts of skeleton present A strangulating wire snare around the neck choking her to death.

A snared lion that was still tied onto a tree and could not move All the carcasses were caught with wire snares around their necks and died.

Extensive damage from suspected territorial fight with other Hyenas The cause of recumbency, tentatively put as poor nutrition A penetrating wound to the lower part of left hind limb A deeply embedded spear lodged in the elephant’s head 3 spear wounds to the trunk. Two other spear wounds below the tail

Died Poaching Death Successfully Treated Poaching Death Died Successfully Treated Prognosis Poor Successfully Treated Successfully Treated

SWT/KWS Tsavo Mobile Vet Unit Treatment Locations June 2019

Case 1 – 5th June Elephant

Arrow

Komboyo, Tsavo West NP

The report was received from Mtito SWT de-snaring team that an elephant bull had sustained an arrow injury to the side of the body. The vet team drove to the area where they were joined by the SWT helicopter. The bull was searched for using the helicopter and easily located nearby in the company of a smaller bull. There was a swelling on the left abdominal area.

Immobilisation, examination and treatment Darting equipment and immobilization drugs were prepared. The elephant was approached using the helicopter and darted in the rump. He was directed towards the road by the helicopter. He went down after 7 minutes. The trunk and the ear were positioned correctly to aid breathing and water splashed on the ears to keep him cool during treatment.

Shrubs were trimmed to provide enough space for examination. There was a swelling on the left abdominal wall from a suspected old injury but with no wound or pus oozing out. The old wound had healed with fibrosis giving it a characteristic swelling that’s typical of fresh injuries. All other areas of the animal were examined and found to be ok.

Prognosis The anaesthesia was reversed by intravenous administration of Diprenorphine at three times the Etorphine dose. The bull woke up and walked away slowly. Prognosis is good.

Case 2 – 8th June 2019 Cheetah

Human-wildlife Conflict

Oldonyo Wuas, Chyulu Hills NP

A report was made by the Chief Security Officer of Big life Foundation regarding a cheetah that was injured and unable to move. They suspected that it was attacked by lions within the Conservancy. The unit drove to Komboyo airstrip where they met with Big life aircraft that flew them to the area.

Immobilisation, examination and treatment The cheetah was observed from a distance and no movements were observed. He was examined from close range and found to be freshly dead. An autopsy was undertaken and there was a penetrating wound to the left abdominal area with massive internal bleeding. There was also bite and scratch marks on the limbs, shoulder and face. The deep wound had clear edges suggesting it was caused by a spear. The bite marks appear to be dog bites. The conclusion of the autopsy is that the cheetah was wounded using a spear and dogs set into bite.

Cause of Death The cheetah did not die a natural death but killed mostly due to human-wildlife conflict.

Case 3 – 11th June 2019 Elephant

Natural Causes

Lumo Conservancy

The report was made by KWS rangers manning the southern sector of Tsavo West National Park. They had earlier seen an elephant bull with pronounced lameness and difficulty in walking. The Tsavo vet unit travelled to the area by vehicle and found the lone bull drinking water at a temporary water hole.

Immobilisation, examination and treatment Darting equipment and immobilization drugs were prepared, and the dart barrel filled with 18 mgs of Etorphine. The elephant was approached from a vehicle and darted in the left rump. The bull moved away shortly and was then pushed to fall on the right side for easy access of the injured leg. The trunk and the ear were positioned correctly to aid in breathing and water splashed on the ears to cool down.

The left knee joint was swollen with no surface wound seen. On deep palpation there was obvious joint dislocation of unknown cause.

The elephant bull was administered with Flunixin Meglumine IV and long acting antibiotics.

Prognosis There being no invasive surgical procedure feasible in the field conditions the anaesthesia was reversed by intravenous administration of Diprenorphine at three times the Etorphine dose and the elephant bull helped up onto his feet. Prognosis is guarded.

Case 4 – 13th June 2019 Lion

Post-mortem

Lumo Conservancy

While searching for an injured elephant bull reported earlier that morning the Vet team stumbled on an old decomposed carcass that was put at around 2 weeks since death. The carcass had been scavenged on and only parts of the skeleton were present. The skull and long bones indicated it was a lion carcass.

Cause of Death There was dried blood on the ground around the carcass indicating haemorrhage before death. Bleeding is a clear indicator of injury but its cause could not be determined.

Case 5 – 13th June 2019 Zebra

Snared

Mgeno Ranch

While travelling from Lumo conservancy to Kasigau where a report of a snared lion was reported, the unit stumbled upon a dead zebra beside the Mwatate- Kasigau road. The team stopped and examined the zebra which was freshly dead.

Cause of Death Close exam revealed a strangulating wire snare around the neck choking her to death. The wire snare was placed for bush meat hunting purposes.

Case 6 – 13th June 2019 Lion

Snared

Rukinga Ranch

Shortly before examining the zebra carcass in Mgeno ranch, the Veterinary unit received another call from Wildlife works Rangers regarding a snared lion that was still tied to a tree and could not move. The Vet Team arrived at the area and found the lion still struggling to free himself.

Immobilisation, examination and treatment The lion was approached with a vehicle, darted in the rump from and went down after 8 minutes. The wire snare was cut loose, and the injuries treated with antiseptics and topical antibiotics while anti-inflammatories and parenteral antibiotics were administered.

Prognosis After one hour, the anaesthetic was reversed, and the lion woke up and moved off slowly. Prognosis is good.

Case 7 – 13th June 2019 Zebra/Eland

Snared

Rukinga Ranch

After de-snaring the Lion and saving it from near death, the unit together with Wildlife works and KWS Rangers scouted the area for more snares. Nearby the team stumbled on 3 zebra carcasses and 1 older eaten eland carcass.

General Observation All the carcasses were caught with wire snares around their necks and died. The wires were high tensile and could not easily break. All were still chained onto trees. The wire snares were all removed and the carcasses taken for disposal elsewhere. The Wildlife Works Team and KWS continued to comb the area for more snares and bush meat poachers.

Case 8 – 20th June 2019 Hyena

Natural Causes

Dida Harea, Tsavo East NP

SWT staff, while cleaning water troughs supplying water from the Dida Harea windmill, reported a seriously injured hyena nearby. The team rushed to the area and found the hyena in waterhole partially submerged.

He appeared weak and in pain.

Immobilisation, examination and treatment The hyena was darted in the thigh and was fully immobilized after 7 minutes. Examination revealed extensive lacerations and tissue damage to the hip area with the pelvic skeleton exposed from suspected territorial fight with other hyenas. There were other bite injuries to the mouth and neck. The injuries were deemed untreatable in the wild situation and the Hyena was euthanized to end its suffering and for animal welfare concerns.

Case 9 – 22nd June 2019 Elephant

Natural Causes

Ndii, Tsavo East NP

Visitors touring Tsavo East National Park reported that an elephant cow had collapsed near Ndii area along the Park headquarters - Mudanda rock road. The cow was struggling to get up in vain. The visitors notified the Tsavo Vet Unit who rushed to the area and found the cow in lateral recumbency but still alive. No other elephants were seen nearby.

Immobilisation, examination and treatment The cause of recumbency could not be determined and tentatively put as poor nutrition. She was boosted with IV of 50% Dextrose, Dexamethasone and covered with long acting antibiotics. She was administered with 5mgs Etorphine to calm her down during treatment as she started to struggle to get up but was unable.

All through the treatment water was poured on the ears and body to cool her down from the high temperatures being experienced.

Prognosis The anaesthesia was finally reversed, and the cow helped onto her feet using ropes hooked to her upper tusk and hooked to the vet vehicle. She finally got to her feet and moved away slowly. The rope didn’t fall off as expected so she had to be followed and the rope removed from her tusk. She moved off heading to the large waterhole at Mudanda Rock where there is plenty of water, forage and other elephants. Prognosis is good.

Case 10 – 24th June 2019 Elephant

Bullet Wound

Kaluku, Tsavo East

The report was received from SWT Kaluku field office of an injured elephant bull that was seen along Galana River near Kaluku with pronounced lameness. The Vet was airlifted by SWT aeroplane to Kaluku where he was shown the lame elephant nearby foraging and drinking water at the river.

Immobilisation, examination and treatment Darting equipment and immobilization drugs were prepared, then the elephant was approached on foot and darted in the shoulder. The bull became nervous and walked up the riverbank before going down on lateral recumbency after 12 minutes.

The elephant bull had a penetrating wound to the lower part of left hindlimb that was exiting on the medial aspect of the limb. There was swelling and pus oozing out. The wound was flushed with water mixed with Hydrogen peroxide and tissue debris and fractured bone pieces were removed. The wound was cleaned with Iodine, sprayed with Oxytetracycline spray and finally covered with green clay. The respiration, body temperature and heart rates were being monitored all along the treatment process. The Elephant was administered with long acting antibiotics and Dexamethasone Hcl. Prognosis The anaesthesia was reversed, and the young bull was assisted onto his feet by a tractor. The cause of the injury is high velocity projectile (bullet). Prognosis is guarded to poor.

Case 11 – 28th June 2019 Elephant

Spear

Selenkei Conservancy, Amboseli

Biglife Rangers reported an injured elephant cow had been seen near Porini camp within Selenkei Conservancy in the Amboseli ecosystem. The Vet was airlifted by SWT aeroplane to Kaluku where they boarded a helicopter for the 45 minutes journey to Selenkei. The team arrived to find the Biglife team waiting for them at Selenkei airstrip. After a short briefing the now bigger team embarked on the exercise.

Immobilisation, examination and treatment The helicopter searched for the injured elephant cow who was easily located in a herd of 6 elephants. The helicopter came in low for the darting and elephant cow was darted in the rump. The cow ran off leaving the other elephants, but the helicopter managed to keep her within the area until she went down after 13 minutes. The helicopter landed and the ground team joined the darting team.

A deeply embedded spear was lodged in the elephant’s head. The spear was slowly pulled out and the wound doused with Iodine, sprayed with Oxytetracycline spray and finally covered with wetted green clay. The elephant was also administered with long acting antibiotics and Flunixin Meglumine. Being satisfied that the injury was not life threatening, the cow was given a clean bill of health.

Prognosis The anaesthesia was reversed, and the cow stood up and walked away calmly. Prognosis is good.

Case 12 – 30th June 2019 Elephant

Spear

Oldonyo Wuas, Chyulu

It was reported by rangers of the Biglife Foundation that an elephant bull was seen at Oldonyo Wuas Lodge waterhole with injuries to the trunk. The rangers notified the SWT field office who contacted the Tsavo Vet Unit who airlifted him to Oldonyo Wuas lodge where they met the trusts helicopter already there. The rangers kept an eye on the bull all this time.

Immobilisation, examination and treatment The elephant was approached using a helicopter and darted in the rump. He ran away briefly but was pushed back by the helicopter. He went down after 12 minutes.

The elephant bull had 3 spear wounds on the base and midsection of the trunk with one injury going through the trunk and coming out on the opposite side. There were two other spear wounds on the perineal area below the tail. The wounds were cleaned using Iodine and sprayed with Oxytetracycline spray. A final cover of green clay was used to cover the wounds to keep of flies and aid in healing. The elephant was administered with long acting antibiotics and Dexamethasone Hcl. Prognosis After ensuring that the bull was out of danger, the anaesthesia was reversed. The big bull stood up and walked away calmly. Prognosis is good.

Other Activities •

The vet testified at Wundanyi law courts in a case where the offenders were charged with being in possession of bush meat

•

The Vet examined 11 elephant tusk exhibits brought in from Makupa police station and produced expert reports for prosecution purposes.

Report by Dr Jeremiah Poghorn