SWT/KWS MARA MOBILE VETERINARY UNIT APRIL 2021
Introduction
6 Cases in April
3 Poaching Cases
3 Elephant Cases
April Report by Dr. Campaign Limo The month under review was characterised by poor precipitation with improvements towards the end. Visitation to the Conservation area is still low owing to travel restrictions occasioned by current COVID 19 pandemic. Cases included treatment of a giraffe, white rhino and lion for natural wounds. Sadly, the giraffe died when its calf became stuck during labour, the lion was given a guarded prognosis for severe fight wounds and the White rhino was treated successfully for a prolonged neurological illness. Three elephants were all successfully treated, 2 for arrow wounds and 1 for a spear wound. Fewer cases were reported and attended to during the period. Acknowledgement Mara Mobile Veterinary Unit would like to thank all stakeholders who helped report various animals requiring intervention. Thanks to the Minara Foundation through SWT for their continued support to the unit. Thanks too to KWS management for their technical support to the unit.
Case Details Date
Species
Area Found
Reason for Intervention
11-Apr-21
Giraffe
Masai Mara NR
Natural Causes
14-Apr-21
Elephant
Mara North Conservancy
Arrow
15-Apr-21
Elephant
Masai Mara
Spear
A fresh deep spear wound approximately two days old on his left thigh
Successfully Treated
23-Apr-21
Elephant
Mara North Conservancy
Arrow
Examination revealed a lodged barbed arrowhead on her left ear pinna with sepsis
Successfully Treated
25-Apr-21
Rhino White
Ol Choro Oiroua Conservancy
Natural Causes
26-Apr-21
Lion
Masai Mara NR
Natural Causes
This young adult giraffe thought to be carrying her first pregnancy was seen with a dead foetus hanging from her vulva Examination revealed a septic arrow wound on his upper left abdomen. The arrowhead had since fallen off
This rhino is one of the two white rhinos kept in semi captive facilities within Olchorro Oiroua conservancy. He has a history of nervous condition that occasionally affects his balance This lioness had several fight wounds caused by other lions. A serious wound was found on her right scapula with some fractured bone chips
Outcome Died Successfully Treated
Successfully Treated
Prognosis Poor
SWT/KWS Mara Mobile Vet Unit Treatment Locations April 2021
Case 1 – 11th April 2021 Giraffe
Natural Causes
Ashnil, Masai Mara National Reserve
This young adult giraffe thought to be carrying her first pregnancy was seen with a dead foetus hanging from her vulva by visitors to Asnil camp in Masai Mara Reserve. The Vet Unit was informed and found her wandering alone in distress in an open area. Foetal head and front limbs were hanging with foal smell indicating the foetus was long dead.
Immobilisation, examination and treatment The giraffe was darted from a vehicle with a combination of 9mgs Etorphine hydrochloride and 50mgs Azaperone tartarate. The drugs took effect after 5minutes and the giraffe assumed right lateral recumbency. The head and front limbs of a long dead foetus were partially out and partly gangrenous. Palpation revealed an extremely emphysematous foetus locked up in the pelvic cavity. Labour could have begun 96 hours earlier with the calf dying after a prolonged struggle by the dam to push it out. The anaesthetic was reversed with 36mgs Diprenorphine and the head held against the ground as manual traction of the calf was attempted with generous lubrication. Dexamethasone sodium was also given intravenously as an anti-inflammatory and to prevent shock. With an open cervix and a dead foetus, bacteria multiplied within the uterus with severe emphysema of the calf occurring. The mother appeared weak, dehydrated, emaciated and had a weak pulse. After several minutes of manual traction, the calf was successfully pulled out but unfortunately the mother did not stand up but died a few minutes later from suspected shock from sepsis and uterine tear.
Case 2 – 14th April 2021 Elephant
Arrow
Mara North Conservancy
This bull was seen with a discharging wound on the left side of his abdomen by Mara North Conservancy Mara Elephant Project Rangers. They called the Veterinary unit for action. This elephant was found browsing alone in an open rocky area. He appeared nervous, with the discharging wound discernible from a distance.
Immobilisation, examination and treatment He was restrained chemically with 17mgs Etorphine hydrochloride delivered remotely through a dan-inject dart from a vehicle. He took off after being darted but was overwhelmed by the drugs ten minutes later where he assumed right lateral recumbency. Examination revealed a septic arrow wound on his upper left abdomen. The arrowhead had fallen out. The wound was debrided with Hydrogen peroxide and rinsed with copious amount of clean water. Tincture of Iodine was applied for disinfection and Chlortetracycline bolus introduced. Other treatments given included parenteral administration of Oxytetracycline antibiotics and Flunixin meglumine anti-inflammatories. Prognosis The animal was then put on a stretcher and then loaded onto a pick-up and transported to another paddock about 2 kilometers away to help evade the parasite contaminated paddocks.
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Case 3 – 15th April 2021 Elephant
Spear
Masai Mara
This elephant was seen with a fresh injury on the outer side of his left thigh by Isaaten Conservancy Rangers. They notified the Mobile Veterinary Unit for action. The Unit found him alone and splashing mud on the injured area. His body condition was good. Immobilisation, examination and treatment He was darted from a vehicle with 14mgs Etorphine hydrochloride. This young bull assumed right lateral recumbency upon being overwhelmed by the anaesthetics. Examination revealed a fresh deep spear wound approximately two days old on his left thigh. The wound was rinsed with clean water and disinfected with tincture of Iodine. Clortetracycline boli was put into the wound which was then packed with green clay. Other treatments given included parenteral administration of Oxytetracycline and Clindamycin antibiotics as well as Flunixin meglumine as an anti-inflammatory. Prognosis The anaesthetic was reversed with 42mgs Diprenorphine hydrochloride intravenously through a prominent ear vein. He woke up two minutes later and retreated to a nearby thicket. Prognosis for full recovery is good.
Case 4 – 23rd April 2021 Elephant
Arrow
Mara North Conservancy
This elephant was seen by Mara Elephant Project and Mara North Conservancy Rangers and monitoring teams on their normal patrols. She had an arrowhead lodged in the pinna of her left ear. Immobilisation, examination and treatment The elephant with her two calves, one less than a year old, were traced to a rocky, bushy hill. It was difficult to reach with a vehicle. The team waited for over one hour with hopes that the family would descend, but eventually the services of a helicopter were sought to push the family down the hill and onto an open plain. She was finally darted from a vehicle with 16mgs Etorphine hydrochloride. Her younger calf kept close to her while the older one joined a nearby herd. The drugs took full effect after eight minutes. Examination revealed a lodged barbed arrowhead in her left ear pinna with sepsis. The arrowhead was gently removed, and the resultant wound cleaned. All necrotic tissue was removed with help Hydrogen peroxide, then the wound was rinsed with clean water. Disinfected with tincture of Iodine and infused with Cloxacillin ointment. Amoxicillin antibiotics and flunixin meglumine anti-inflammatories. Prognosis Her calf stayed calm and close throughout the treatment but became nervous and tried to run off after the treatment of the mother was complete. The helicopter guided the mother back to where the calf was and the mother and calf finally re-united. Prognosis for full recovery is good.
Case 5 – 25th April 2021 White Rhino
Natural Causes
Ol choro Oiroua Conservancy
This rhino is one of the two white rhinos kept in semi captive facilities within Olchorro Oiroua Conservancy. He has a history of a nervous condition that occasionally affects his balance and has lasted for two years. The condition is temporary and lasts a few minutes at a time. The frequency is long and unpredictable, the last episode having occurred over four months ago. Triggering factors have not been identified but the overall health of the rhino is not affected.
Immobilisation, examination and treatment The latest episode occurred a few days before intervention but resolved almost immediately. The rhino was reported to have staggered briefly before falling but woke up two minutes afterwards to continue grazing. During assessment, he was found grazing normally with his partner and in perfect body condition. He was given subcutaneous injection of therapeutic and prophylactic dose of Quinapyramine trypanocide given that Trypanosomosis is endemic in this area. Dexamethasone sodium anti-inflammatory was also given intramuscularly to relieve any pain and reduce any swelling and possible inflammation around the brain. This was done without sedation as he was caressed and remained standing and calm while being treated. Prognosis Prognosis is good.
Case 6 – 26th April 2021 Lion
Natural Causes
Masai Mara National Reserve
This collared lioness belonging to Sopa pride was involved in a territorial fight with a rival pride and Rangers spotted her in bad shape. The Vet Unit found her alone near a Lugga emaciated with several fight wounds. Immobilisation, examination and treatment She was immobilised with 4mgs Medetomidine and 200mgs Ketamine. The lioness was fully anaesthetised in eight minutes, after which she was blindfolded and carried into the shade. This lioness had several fight wounds caused by other lions and a serious wound was found on her right scapula with some fractured bone chips being retrieved. Another big wound was found on her perinium with perforation of the rectum. Faecal material accumulated subcutaneously from the rectal perforations contaminating surrounding tissues. Her right thigh had a big gaping wound besides other small septic bite wounds on several sites of her body. The faecal material which had formed subcutaneous pouches below her tail and peritoneal area were removed and the area was cleaned and disinfected. The perforated areas of the rectum were apposed to retain its integrity. These were approximately 1 week old wounds with some degree of sepsis. All the other wounds were debrided with Hydrogen peroxide, rinsed with water, disinfected with Iodine, infused with Cloxacillin ointment and sprayed with Oxytetracycline spray. Clindamycin antibiotic was also administered. Prognosis Prognosis is guarded.