SWT/KWS Tsavo Mobile Veterinary Unit - October 2019

SWT/KWS TSAVO MOBILE VETERINARY UNIT OCTOBER 2019

Introduction

14 Cases in October

4 HWC Cases

7 Elephant Cases

October Report by Dr. Jeremiah Poghon October witnessed the start of short rains in the ecosystem with promising showers at the beginning of the Month. We hope the rains will continue into December hence improving the forage and water availability in the ecosystem. In the Month under review the unit performed several autopsies of elephant carcasses in the IPZ, Manyani and Magram Ranch bordering Tsavo East. Another elephant bull was immobilized and later euthanized due to an untreatable leg fracture in Tsavo West National Park. In Mombasa’s Haller park a Giraffe with a snare around the neck was treated and an eland was euthanized due to untreatable fetlock arthritis. Another Giraffe was de-snared in Tsavo East and in Olgulului Conservancy a speared lion had to be euthanized after suffering deep penetrating wound and massive internal bleeding. Finally, 2 lionesses were fitted with collars for monitoring of human wildlife conflict.

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 Species

Area Found

04-Oct-19

Elephant

IPZ, Tsavo West NP

Spear

04-Oct-19

Elephant

IPZ, Tsavo West NP

Postmortem

Olgulului Group Ranch Mbirikani Group Ranch

Human Wildlife Conflict

The lion was observed with a suspected spear wound in the perineal region.

HWC Death

Natural Causes

The large bull has been spotted multiple times in previous years with a growth in his preputial region and had been treated multiple times

Successfully Treated

The giraffe bull was spotted with a snare around the neck

Successfully Treated

Date

Reason for Intervention

07-Oct-19

Lion

07-Oct-19

Elephant

09-Oct-19

Giraffe

Tsavo East NP

Snared

09-Oct-19

Antelope

Tsavo West NP

Human Wildlife Conflict

16-Oct-19

Elephant

Galana Ranch

Postmortem

17-Oct-19

Giraffe

Haller Park, Mombasa

Human Wildlife Conflict

17-Oct-19

Antelope

18-Oct-19

Elephant

22-Oct-19

Elephant

25-Oct-19

Elephant

24-Oct-19

Lion

28-Oct-19

Lion

The carcass appeared to have died the night before and had not been scavenged on.

External examination revealed intact skin with no sign of inflicted wounds A dead elephant was observed in the Ngulia and surrounding IPZ area of Tsavo West National Park.

The carcass was in left lateral recumbency with its head tilted dorsally in an unnatural position, suggesting trauma to the neck The carcass was in late stage decomposition which made post-mortem assessment as to the cause of death difficult.

The female was spotted with a tyre around the neck.

Outcome

Poaching Death

Died

HWC Death

Died Successfully Treated

Both front limbs had deformities at the level of Haller the fetlock joint making ambulation difficult.

Natural Park, The fetlocks were observed to be affected by a Died Causes Mombasa severe inflammation (arthritis) which resulted in severe lameness External examination of the carcass revealed Tsavo Bullet an entry wound on the right forelimb. The Poaching Death West NP Wound entry wound was small and was possibly that of a projectile such as a bullet The carcass was observed to be in left lateral Tsavo Postrecumbency with tusks still intact. The carcass Died West NP mortem was in late stage decomposition Human The left hind limb appeared to be fractured Tsavo Wildlife due to a discontinuation in the internal HWC Death West NP Conflict contours of the limb Kuku ranch is a community conservation area Kuku bordering Tsavo West National Park and Group Collared Chyulu national park. Human predator conflict Task Successful Ranch is high in the mainly pastoralist community that keep livestock as their main economic activity Kuku ranch is a community conservation area Kuku bordering Tsavo West National park and Group Collared Chyulu National Park. Human predator conflict Task Successful Ranch is high in the mainly pastoralist community that keep livestock as their main economic activity

SWT/KWS Tsavo Mobile Vet Unit Treatment Locations October 2019

. Case

1 – 4th October 2019

Elephant

Spear

IPZ, Tsavo West National Park

A report was made that a dead elephant had been spotted in the Ngulia and surrounding IPZ area of Tsavo West National Park. An autopsy was requested to be undertaken to ascertain the cause of death.

Post-mortem Examination The carcass was lying on its left side and it appeared to have died the night before and had not been scavenged on. External examination revealed intact skin with no sign of wounds. An old injury that was fully healed on the outside was observed on his upper right abdomen. Internal post-mortem examination of internal abdominal and thoracic organs was carried out. A large dark red mass was discovered while investigating the loops of intestine. This mass was adhered to a section of intestines. The serosa of the intestines were congested and had areas of petechial haemorrhage. Scanty feed content was observed in the intestines indicating a reduction of feed intake or mechanical obstruction of the gastrointestinal tract. The layers of the intestine were also noted to be flabby and gelatinous in consistency which indicates nutritional crisis whereby the body utilises fat of the visceral organs. The liver was observed to be enlarged. The kidneys and lungs were observed to have the same congestion and haemorrhage was observed in the outer layer of the intestines. The capsule of the spleen was congested and had areas of petechial haemorrhage. The heart had large areas of haemorrhage in the bicuspid and tricuspid valvular regions.

Cause of Death The bull died as a result of bacterial septicaemia brought about by infection from the old injury which is probably a spear injury. The cause of death was likely multiple organ failure.

. Case

2 – 4th October 2019

Elephant

Post-mortem

IPZ, Tsavo West National Park

A dead elephant was observed in the Ngulia and surrounding IPZ area of Tsavo West National Park. An assessment of the carcass was made by the vet team that approached on foot as they were attending to a case nearby.

Post-mortem Examination The carcass was approximately 5 days old and in late stage decomposition which made post-mortem assessment difficult.

Cause of Death A diagnosis of the cause of death was impossible due to the level of carcass decomposition observed by the vet team.

Case 3 – 7th October 2019 Lion

Human-Wildlife Conflict - Spear

Olgulului Ranch, Amboseli

The lion was observed with a suspected spear wound to his perineal region. Once the vet team was notified, the SWT fixed-wing aircraft airlifted the vet team to the region to get to the wounded lion as soon as possible.

Immobilisation, examination and treatment The lion was approached with a vehicle and darted. He went down after ten minutes. As he was hiding in the shade of thick bushes before being darted, he was pulled out to a better position so his wound could be assessed. The lion had laboured breathing, and the anaesthetic plane was light which suggested he was in pain. The wound to the perineal area appeared deep. A 30cm catheter was used to assess the exact depth with two-thirds of it ending up in the wound. Once the catheter arrived at a point of resistance indicating the final depth, a large volume of blood began exiting the catheter which suggested the lion had severe internal bleeding. The hidden length of the catheter indicated that the wound penetrated the peritoneal cavity.

Prognosis Due to the severity of blood loss and nature of the wound, euthanasia was opted for to end the animal’s suffering. Once euthanised, a post-mortem was carried out to confirm the diagnosis. The right hind limb was removed to allow access to the peritoneal cavity. Once the peritoneum was incised, a large volume of blood within the peritoneal cavity was observed, indicating that a fatal injury was caused by the spear severing a large blood vessel. Following this, the carcass was surrendered to KWS rangers for removal of the head and tail as these are regarded as trophies.

Case 4 – 7th October 2019 Elephant

Natural Causes

Mbirikani Ranch

The large bull has been spotted multiple times over the years with a growth in his preputial region and treated each time he was found. The vet team was alerted that he had been spotted with the same wound, so the team was airlifted by the SWT fixed-wing aircraft to the Ol Donyo Wuas lodge within Mbirikani Ranch. #Immobilisation, examination and treatment The elephant was approached and darted using the SWT chopper with 18mg of Etorphine HCl. Once darted, the elephant went down in about four minutes in a sitting position that could compromise his breathing. The vet team rushed to him and manually pushed him to lay on his side in order to restore optimum breathing.

An ulcerated growth on his preputial region was observed. To aid in diagnosis of the chronic condition, tissue samples of the growth were collected to be assessed for possible causes of infectious origin. Once samples were collected, the wound was lavaged with Hydrogen peroxide to cauterize the wound and reduce bleeding as well as help void any purulent material and foreign bodies such as maggots. It was then disinfected with iodine and finally packed with a thick layer of green clay to keep it protected from the elements and allow it to heal. A separate wound was observed on his back. Once examined, the wound was suspected to be an old injury potentially caused by a spear. It has been healing well so it was disinfected with iodine followed by an application of green clay. The bull was also given Flunixine meglumine as an anti-inflammatory and pain relief.

Prognosis At 44 minutes after darting, the anaesthesia was reversed with 24mgs Diprenorphine HCl and 25mgs of Naltrexone. He rose in five minutes and slowly walked away. Prognosis is good.

Case 5 – 9th October 2019 Giraffe

Snared

Ndiadasa, Tsavo East National Park

The giraffe bull was spotted with a snare around the neck that had snagged a tree branch. Once the vet team was alerted, the proper equipment was prepared and the team airlifted by SWT to save on the time needed to get to the patient.

Immobilisation, examination and treatment The giraffe was approached on foot and darted with 14mg of Etorphine HCl and 50mg of Xylazine HCl in a 3cc Dan-Inject barrel. The giraffe went down after about ten minutes and fell down on his own. The anaesthesia was immediately reversed with the antidote consisting of 42mgs of Diprenorphine HCl and 2.5mgs Atipamezole HCl. Once reversed, the bull was kept restrained using manual pressure applied to the neck. With successful restraint achieved, the removal of the snare was carried out. As the snare was not embedded in the tissues or skin of the neck, treatment comprised of severing the snare and removing it as well as the tree branch from the neck of the animal.

Prognosis Once complete, manual pressure on the neck was released and the giraffe was assisted to get up. He was able to move away from the vet team and a good prognosis is expected.

Case 6 – 9th October 2019 Dikdik

Human-Wildlife Conflict; RTA

Komboyo, Tsavo West National Park

A dead dikdik was reported in Komboyo, Tsavo West National Park. The carcass was seen on one of the roads leading out of the Komboyo offices into the park. An assessment of the carcass was requested and the vet team arrived at the area by road Post-mortem Examination The carcass was in left lateral recumbency with its head tilted dorsally in an unnatural position, suggesting trauma to the neck. The perineal region had been partially scavenged.

Internal examination revealed signs of blunt force trauma on the right ribcage with multiple broken ribs, each broken in at least two places. The diaphragm had small perforations, possibly caused by the fractured edges of the ribs. Blood was observed in the peritoneal and thoracic cavities. The cervical vertebrae was also dislocated close to the level of the shoulders.

Cause of Death The cause of death was blunt force trauma possibly caused by a vehicle using the road.

Case 7 – 16th October 2019 Elephant

Post-mortem

Galana/Magram Ranch

A dead elephant was observed within the Magram Ranch along Voi River. An assessment of the carcass was requested and once alerted; the vet team arrived by road.

Post-mortem Examination The carcass was observed to naturally be tuskless.

It was also in late stage decomposition which made post-mortem assessment as to the cause of death difficult.

Cause of Death A diagnosis of the cause of death was impossible due to the level of carcass decomposition observed by the vet team.

Case 8 – 17th October 2019 Giraffe

Human-Wildlife Conflict

Haller Park, Mombasa

The female was spotted with a tyre around the neck. Once the vet team was alerted, the proper equipment was prepared and the team rushed to the area by road. Haller Park is a private wildlife created from rehabilitated limestone cement mines in the area.

Immobilisation, examination and treatment The giraffe was approached on foot and darted with 14mg of Etorphine HCl and 40mg of Xylazine HCl. The drugs took effect after about six minutes and the giraffe was roped to the ground by the team. She was immediately reversed with 42mgs of Diprenorphine HCl and 2.5mgs Atipamezole HCl. Once reversed, she was kept restrained using manual pressure applied to the neck. With successful restraint achieved, the removal of the snare was carried out.

The tyre was embedded into the subcutis and superficial muscle layers of the neck. Once removed, the wound was cleaned with dilute Hydrogen peroxide, followed by disinfection with tincture of Iodine, Oxytetracycline spray, and application of green clay. The giraffe also received long-acting antibiotics and Dexamethasone as an anti-inflammatory. Throughout the process, her breathing and temperature were monitored to ensure she was stable.

Prognosis Once the treatment was complete, manual pressure on the neck was released. She was assisted to her feet and walked away once up. A good prognosis is expected.

Case 9 – 17th October 2019 Eland

Natural Causes

Haller Park, Mombasa

A report was made that an eland was observed to be immobile and unable to walk. Once alerted, the vet team travelled to the area by road.

Immobilisation and Examination Darting equipment was prepared with 10mg of Etorphine HCl and 10mg of Medetomidine HCl in a 1.5-cc Dan-Inject barrel.

Once the bull was anesthetised, an examination of the limbs was carried out. Both front limbs had deformities at the level of the fetlock joint making ambulation difficult.

The fetlocks were observed to be affected by a severe inflammation (arthritis) which resulted in severe lameness.

Prognosis Due to the poor prognosis of the case, euthanasia was opted for to end the bull’s suffering as well as for animal welfare concerns. Euthanasia was carried out using a rapid intravenous injection of a 20% Pentobarbitone sodium bolus. Once death was confirmed, the carcass was disposed of.

Case 10 – 18th October 2019 Elephant

Bullet Wound

Manyani, Tsavo West NP

A report was made that a dead elephant had been spotted near the Manyani Training School in Manyani, Tsavo. An autopsy was requested to be undertaken to ascertain the cause of death.

Post-mortem Examination The carcass was lying in sternal recumbency. The tusks had already been collected by KWS rangers. Mild scavenging signs were present on the right ear as well as the perineal region. External examination of the carcass revealed an entry wound on the right forelimb at the level of the humerus. The entry wound was small and was possibly that of a projectile such as a bullet The subcutis and muscle layer of the right forelimb had significant damage at the site of the entry wound, suggesting that the projectile penetrated past the limb and into the thoracic cavity. Using ropes tethered to the TMVU vehicle, the right leg was removed. To observe the thoracic cavity and search for the projectile, the ribs of the right thoracic and abdominal regions were removed. This revealed damage to one of the ribs, showing the projectile went back into the body as there was no exit wound. A large volume of serosanguinous (red) fluid was found in the thoracic and abdominal cavity indicating severe internal bleeding. The abdominal organs were removed and examined for any signs of damage. Several portions of intestines were noted to have petechial haemorrhage, but no physical trauma to the organs was found. A thorough search of the organs, thoracic and abdominal cavities was carried out, but no foreign body was found.

Cause of Death As a result of the penetrating wound caused by a foreign body projectile, the bull died of massive blood loss due to internal bleeding. This bleeding led to hypovolaemic shock, causing generalised organ failure and finally death.

Case 11 – 22nd October 2019 Elephant

Post-mortem

Manyani, Tsavo West

A report was made that a dead elephant had been spotted near the Manyani Training School in Manyani, Tsavo. An autopsy was requested to be undertaken to ascertain the cause of death. The vet unit travelled to the area by road.

Post-mortem Examination The carcass was observed to be in left lateral recumbency with tusks still intact.

The carcass was in late stage decomposition and was well scavenged which made post-mortem assessment difficult. The carcass was handed over to KWS rangers for tusk removal.

Cause of Death A diagnosis of the cause of death was impossible due to the level of carcass decomposition observed by the vet team.

Case 12 – 25th October 2019 Elephant

Human-Wildlife Conflict

Manyani, Tsavo West National Park

The elephant bull was observed with hind limb lameness in the Manyani region of Tsavo West. Once the vet team was notified, the Tsavo West KWS fixed-wing aircraft airlifted the vet to the region.

Immobilisation and examination Darting equipment was prepared with 18mgs of Etorphine HCl in a 3-cc Dan-Inject barrel. The bull was approached on foot and darted. He took about 6 minutes to go down.

The left hind limb appeared to be fractured due to a discontinuation in the internal contours of the limb. A complete fracture of the limb was suspected. With the severity of this injury, a poor prognosis was given.

Euthanasia of the elephant was opted for due to the poor prognosis as well as for animal welfare concerns.

Cause of Death Once euthanized, a post-mortem of the bull was carried out to confirm the diagnosis. A complete fracture of the distal tibia as well as a dislocation of the fibula from the tarsal joint was observed which supported the earlier diagnosis made. The carcass was handed over to KWS rangers for tusk removal.

Case 13 & 14 – 24th to 28th October 2019 Lion

Collaring

Kuku Group Ranch

Kuku ranch is a Community Conservation area bordering Tsavo West National park and Chyulu National Park.

Human-predator conflict is high in the mainly pastoralist community that keep livestock as their main economic activity. There is an increase in livestock predation by carnivores in the ranch creating hostilities with the community. Discussion between KWS, Community Representatives and the Unit resolved to collar the problematic lions for easy monitoring and to assist in conflict mitigation.

Immobilisation, examination and treatment The lions were immobilized using 300mgs of Ketamine and 3mgs of Meditomidine Hcl after responding to a calling station near one of the hotspots aided by night vision equipment. The collars were fitted with enough space to allow the lions to feed and move with ease. The lions were revived one and half hours later using 2.5mgs Atipemazole Hcl and 6.25mgs of Yohimbine hcl and monitored until they moved away on their own.

Further follow up reports indicate they are doing well with the satellite component sending signals.

Other Activities In the month of October, the vet team also carried out: •

Scheduled quarterly administration of a Quinapyramine suspension used as a prophylactic against trypanosome infection to the canine unit of the Ngulia Rhino Sanctuary base.

•

The Vet examine several wildlife trophies brought in from Mombasa and Voi KWS stations and produced expert reports to aid in prosecution of offenders.

•

The Vet testified in Makindu, Voi and Taveta courts in cases where offenders are charged with being in poseesion of wildlife trophies.