SWT/KWS MT KENYA MOBILE VETERINARY UNIT MAY 2021
Introduction
7 Cases in May
2 Poaching Cases
3 Rhino Cases
May Report by Dr. Domnic Mijele During the month of May 2021, the Mt Kenya Wildlife Veterinary Unit attended to wildlife cases that required urgent veterinary intervention in the Laikipia ecosystem and Mt. Kenya region. The Unit treated one elephant for a bullet wound and conducted a post-mortem on an elephant which revealed it died from a gunshot wound. Other cases involved two post-mortems on black rhino, assumed to be caused during mating and/or territorial fights, a white rhino that was treated for a sprain injury, a bongo that was treated for an abscess and the relocation of 4 bongos within the Mount Kenya Wildlife Conservancy. Acknowledgement We highly acknowledge Sheldrick Wildlife Trust (SWT) for their continued support that has enabled the Mt Kenya Wildlife Veterinary Unit to respond promptly and offer the required treatment to all wildlife cases that required intervention. The support from SWT has made it possible for the team to respond and provide veterinary attention without which, the animal may not have survived.
Case Details Date
Species
Area Found
5-May-21
Elephant
Ol Donyo Nyiro
6-May-21
Rhino Black
20-May-21 22-May-21
Reason for Intervention
Outcome
Bullet Wound
A gunshot wound to the right hind limb at the stifle joint on the lateral part
Prognosis Poor
Meru National Park
Postmortem
There were no signs of external injuries on the body and the animal was suspected to have died of internal injuries caused by males during mating
Died
Bongo
Mount Kenya NR
Relocation
Four mountain bongos were relocated from Mackeand boma to Top forest one boma
Task Successful
Bongo
Mount Kenya NR
Natural Causes
A bongo was treated for an abscess on the upper thigh of the left hind limb
Successfully Treated
Mount Kenya NR
Bullet Wound
The left forelimb was swollen, an indication of traumatic injury before death.
Poaching Death
22-May-21 Elephant 23-May-21
Rhino White
Solio Ranch
Natural Causes
25-May-21
Rhino Black
Ol Jogi Ranch
Postmortem
There were very painful muscles around the carpal joint suspected to be sprained ligaments of unknown cause There were signs of struggle and activities at the scene that showed several footprints of other rhinos, hyenas and lions
Successfully Treated Died
SWT/KWS Mount Kenya Mobile Vet Unit Treatment Locations May 2021
Case 1 – 5th May 2021 Elephant
Bullet Wound
Ol Donyiro, Laikipia
The elephant was reported by the Rangers to have a gunshot wound to the right hind limb at the level of the stifle joint. He had difficulty moving around and had stayed in one place for quite some time.
Immobilisation, examination and treatment Chemical immobilization was achieved with 17mgs of Etorphine placed in a 2ml dart fitted with a 2.0×60mm plain needle. The animal was darted from a helicopter using a Dan-inject compressed CO2 dart gun. The animal went down on its left lateral recumbency after about 5 minutes. On examination the elephant had a small deep penetrating wound to the right thigh muscles. The leg was examined by lifting, palpating and flexing. There was crepitation, indicating a fractured bone, at the level of the stifle joint. The elephant was treated with 2,000mgs of Flunixine meglumine, 80mgs Dexamethasone and 1,500mgs Phenylbutazone intramuscular injection to help manage pain and inflammation. Prognosis Prognosis was guarded due to partial fracture.
.
Case 2 – 6th May 2021 Black Rhino
Post-mortem
Meru National Park
A sub-adult female black rhino was found dead in Meru National Park on the 6th of May 2021. A post-mortem
examination was conducted by the Mount Kenya Vet Unit. Post-mortem Findings The rhino carcass was at least 3 days old and was infested with maggots. Most of the body parts had been scavenged by carnivores. The two horns were found detached but near the carcass. At a close view, the animal body parts, ranging from the base of the tail, head region and some digitals had been eaten away by scavengers. There were lots of maggots and the carcass had decomposed due to the prevailing high temperatures. The two horns had been recovered detached and moved some short distance by the scavengers. The rhino was in good body condition indicating that it had no chronic condition. Tissue samples from the lower hind limb were taken for genetic analysis. No other viable samples could be obtained due to advanced autolysis. Cause of Death Apart from the scavenged body parts there were no signs of external injuries on the body and the animal was suspected to have died of internal injuries caused by males during mating.
Case 3 – 20th May 2021 Bongo
Relocation
Mount Kenya National Reserve
Six mountain bongos were captured by chemical immobilization and relocated from Mackeand boma to Top forest one boma. The objective of the relocation was to control th parasite infection in the Mackeand boma. The 6 animals included Hillary (sub-adult male), Kavu (sub-adult female), Machachari (adult female), Valentine (adult male), Africa (adult male) and Sabasaba (sub-adult female).
Immobilisation, examination and treatment The animals were darted from foot with Etorphine combined with Azaperone. The dosages depended on age and sex. The animals were blind-folded, put on a stretcher and lifted onto a pick-up truck by capture rangers. On general and physical examination all the animals were found healthy with good body condition score. Two had overgrown hooves which were trimmed and one, Machachari was found pregnant. Blood samples were collected from the jugular vein using gauge 18 needle and 20mls syringes and placed into EDTA coated tubes and plain tubes for further laboratory analysis and storage. Prognosis They all rose up successfully and were released in their new location.
.
Case 4 – 22nd May 2021 Bongo
Natural Causes
Mount Kenya National Reserve
A female adult mountain bongo was reported to have an abscess with an old open wound on the upper thigh of the left hind limb. It had extended inwards towards the hock joint and was filled with pus. Immobilisation, examination and treatment The animal was immobilised with 4mgs Etorphine mixed with 40mgs Azaperone. Darting was done from foot using a Dan-inject compressed CO2 dart gun. The drugs took effect after 7 minutes and the animal was assisted down by the Rangers. The abscess was disinfected, shaved then lanced and all the pus pressed out. The wound was infected and had accumulated a lot of pus. It was properly cleaned and debrided with 10% Hydrogen peroxide and flushed with tincture of Iodine several times. It was also treated topically with Cloxacyllin (Opticlox) eye ointment and Oxytetracycline spray. The bongo was also given Amoxicillin and Dexamethasone intramuscularly. Blood samples were collected from the jugular vein and preserved for future laboratory analysis. Prognosis The prognosis was good after treatment.
Case 5 – 22nd May 2021 Elephant
Bullet Wound
Mount Kenya National Park
A female adult elephant was reported by the Mt Kenya KWS Security team to have been found dead on the afternoon of 21st May 2021 at Hombe area. Post-mortem was required to confirm the cause of death.
Post-mortem Findings The carcass was found lying on the left lateral side, it was still fresh and the tusks had been removed by KWS security officers. The body condition was good implying an acute death. The left forelimb was more swollen than the right one, an indication of traumatic injury before death. There was abundant fresh blood oozing from the thoracic cavity an indication of internal traumatic injury probably on the heart and lung organs. Cause of Death The elephant died of severe traumatic injuries to the left front leg and internal organs, suspected to have been caused by gun shot.
Case 6 – 23rd May 2021 White Rhino
Natural Causes
Solio Ranch
An adult male White rhino was reported to be limping on its left forelimb and it had difficulty walking. It laid down most of the time, this required an urgent veterinary intervention.
Immobilisation, examination and treatment The rhino was darted from a vehicle with 6mgs Etorphine mixed with 80mgs Azaperone. The drugs took effect after about 7 minutes and the rhino went down on lateral recumbency. The injured leg was examined, palpated and flexed. It was not swollen but very painful. The muscles around the carpal joint were suspected to have sprained ligaments of unknown cause. The rhino was treated with 9,000mgs of Amoxicillin, 9,000mgs of Phenylbutazone and 120mgs of Dexamethasone. A minor skin wound on the toes was sprayed with Oxytetracycline spray. Blood sample was collected from the dorsal superficial digital vein. Prognosis The prognosis was good as the animal was strong and the sprain was discovered and managed in time. .
Case 7 – 25th May 2021 Black Rhino
Post-mortem
Ol Jogi Ranch
A sub-adult male black rhino, (Mayiende’s calf), died on the night of 24th May 2021. Both the horns were found intact. Post-mortem Findings The animal was in good body condition. There were signs of struggle and activities at the scene including several footprints of other rhinos, hyenas and lions, disturbed soil, grass and broken plants. The ears, eyes, some parts of the lips and the tail were eaten by the scavengers. There were several superficial laceration wounds under the neck, on the lateral and ventral parts of the abdomen, on the back and on the front and back legs. The prepuce had a deep lacerative septic wound approximately 10cm in length and 3cm in depth. There was a deep 30cm penetrating septic wound on the inguinal region of the right hind limb that extended into the abdominal cavity puncturing the stomach and caecum, presumably caused by the horns of another rhino. The intestinal and stomach contents leaked into the abdominal and peritoneal cavities. Haemorrhage and congestion was pronounced in the stomach, small intestines, caecum, liver, heart and lungs. A lot of pus, which had turned grey in colour, was observed in the small intestine. The right lung had a rupture with internal haemorrhage and the heart had pericardial fluid within the pericardium. An indication of haemorrhage within the heart. There was congestion and inflammation of the right kidney Cause of Death The young rhino was gored by another rhino resulting in puncture of the abdomen, stomach and caecum causing leakage of stomach/intestinal contents into the abdominal and peritoneal cavities, rupture of the small intestines, liver, lungs and heart.