SWT/KWS Mara Mobile Veterinary Report for January 2024

SWT/KWS MARA MOBILE VETERINARY UNIT

JANUARY 2024

Introduction

3 Cases in January 2 Giraffe Cases 1 Elephant Case

January

The SWT/KWS Mara Mobile Veterinary Unit attended to 3 cases in January 2024.

The veterinary team attended to a female Masai giraffe with dystocia in Mara North Conservancy. Unfortunately, the giraffe had a grave prognosis since the foetus had died 4 days prior and infection had set in. Despite the team’s best efforts, the giraffe died from septic shock during treatment. The Mara Mobile Veterinary team also successfully treated a female Masai Giraffe with a spear lodged in its hind quarters and a lame elephant bull with a laxation of the hip joint.

Acknowledgement

The Mara Mobile Veterinary team greatly appreciates Elizabeth Scarlett for funding the Unit through the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust. The team also thanks Kenya Wildlife Service for providing technical support and all the conservation partners who contributed to the success of veterinary interventions through timely reporting of veterinary cases and monitoring of treated animals

Case Details

SWT/KWS

January

2024

Giraffe

Natural Causes

Mara North Conservancy

Mara North Conservancy rangers reported an adult female Masai giraffe that had a dead foetus hanging from the vagina due to dystocia that had occurred 4 days earlier.

Immobilisation, examination and treatment

The giraffe was darted successfully with 15 mgs Etorphine and 25 mgs Azaperone The animal took off when the dart landed, but the drugs took effect 7 minutes later with the giraffe still standing. The giraffe was roped down, blindfolded, and manually restrained by pinning the head and neck to the ground.

An assessment was then carried out to determine the position of the dead foetus in the womb. Maggots and pus were observed which were an indication of septicaemia. The vagina was flushed with soapy water and healing oil for lubrication before traction was applied to remove the dead foetus. However, during the procedure, the giraffe succumbed to septic shock.

Prognosis

The giraffe had a grave prognosis. Sadly, it died from septic shock during treatment.

Giraffe Spear

Mara North Conservancy

Narok County rangers reported sighting an adult female Masai giraffe with a spear lodged in its hind quarters. The injured animal was in a tower of giraffes near the escarpment.

Immobilisation, examination and treatment

With assistance from County rangers, the veterinary team drove the tower of giraffes away from the escarpment for almost 30 minutes to reduce the risk of the injured animal falling off the cliff post-darting.

The injured giraffe was successfully darted with 15mgs Etorphine and 25mgs Azaperone when it was in a more suitable area. It attempted to run away but was immobilized 7 minutes later. The animal was roped to the ground and went down smoothly. Anaesthesia was immediately reversed with Naltrexone injected into the jugular vein and intramuscularly. The giraffe was then blindfolded and manually restrained by pinning the head and neck to the ground.

The spear was carefully pulled out, and reddish tint exudates oozed from the wound indicating infection. The wound was disinfected with Hydrogen peroxide and Iodine and sprayed with Tetracycline spray topically.

Systemically, 3,000 mgs Amoxicillin and 40 mgs Dexamethasone were administered intramuscularly. The giraffe was released after treatment, it stood energetically and moved towards the tower of giraffes in the nearby thicket.

Prognosis

The giraffe has a good prognosis.

Case 3 – 29th January 2024

Elephant Natural Causes

Mara North Conservancy

While on patrol, rangers reported sighting a lame elephant bull. The SWT/KWS Mara Mobile Veterinary Unit was notified and responded immediately.

Immobilisation, examination and treatment

The animal was found in a herd of about 20 elephants foraging in a marshy area with thick bush Immobilizing the elephant in its present location was deemed too risky for personnel and for the elephant’s wellbeing. The elephant was therefore pushed to open group by a helicopter. It was successfully darted on the hind quarters with 16 mgs Etorphine and fully immobilized 10 minutes later Upon examination, the elephant was found to have a laxation of the hip joint. Systemically, 30,000mg Amoxicillin and 50mgs Dexamethasone were administered intramuscularly. According to the veterinarian’s assessment, the injury wasn’t severe, and the elephant bull will most likely recover fully. Anaesthesia was reversed with 170mgs Naltrexone administered both intravenously and intramuscularly.

Prognosis

The elephant bull has a good prognosis.