SWT/KWS RIFT VALLEY MOBILE VETERINARY UNIT October 2021
Introduction
17 Cases in October
10 Poaching Cases
65% Success
October Report by Dr. Titus Kaitho Many parts of Lake Naivasha and the Central Rift Conservation Area have received some sporadic showers but generally the region is experiencing a dry spell and both pasture and browse availability has decreased. The Rift Valley Mobile Veterinary Unit visited the following areas; Lake Nakuru NP, Manera farm, Gilgil – Kamathatha area, Marula Estates, Hippo Point, Crater Lake Conservancy, Lentolia, Lake Bogoria, Ruko Conservancy, Oserengoni Wildlife Sanctuary among other areas. During the month the Unit conducted general routine clinical case work, routine security patrols and took part in the ear notching and transmitter fitting of Black and White rhinos at Lake Nakuru NP. Acknowledgement We sincerely thank Sheldrick Wildlife Trust (SWT) for support, resources & sponsorship of the Vet Unit. We acknowledge the steadfast support of the SWT CEO, Angela Sheldrick and the Kenya Wildlife Service for availing personnel and other equipment. Many thanks to the National Air Services Dept, and WRTI who supported the rhino earnotching. We also thank all stakeholders and scouts and who reported the cases.
SWT/KWS Rift Valley Mobile Vet Unit Treatment Locations October 2021
Case Details Date
Species
Area Found
Reason for Intervention
10-Oct-21
Rhino White
Lake Nakuru National park
Natural Causes
The rhino had suffered a deep wound on the perineum that was maggot infested
Successfully Treated
13-Oct-21
Zebra
Marula, Naivasha
Snared
The zebra had a long wire snare on neck and front leg entangled
Successfully Treated
13-Oct-21
Zebra
Gilgil
Snared
Had a nylon rope snare on the left front leg causing wounds
Successfully Treated
13-Oct-21
Zebra
Gilgil
Snared
The zebra had a wire snare on neck
Successfully Treated
13-Oct-21
Zebra
Gilgil
Snared
The lameness and swelling were a result of a snare
Successfully Treated
13-Oct-21
Buffalo
Kedong, Naivasha
Human Wildlife Conflict
Had “hardware disease” where a nail or a piece of wire is ingested during grazing
HWC Death
15-Oct-21
Zebra
Kedong, Naivasha
Snared
The zebra had been wounded and the right front leg was amputated by a snare
Prognosis Poor
17-Oct-21
Rhino Black
Lake Nakuru National park
Technical Cases
20 rhinos were immobilized, ear notched and fitted with transmitters
Task Successful
23-Oct-21
Rhino White
Lake Nakuru National park
Technical Cases
14 Black rhinos and 6 White rhinos were ear-notched and fitted with transmitters
Task Successful
22-Oct-21
Zebra
Soysambu Conservancy
Snared
The zebra had been wounded by the wire snared on the withers’ region
Successfully Treated
25-Oct-21
Antelope
Sanctuary, Naivasha
Natural Causes
The hoof had overgrown and we performed hoof trimming and pairing
Successfully Treated
25-Oct-21
Antelope
Sanctuary, Naivasha
Snared
The wire snare had not inflicted any injury
Successfully Treated
26-Oct-21
Ostrich
Lake Bogoria
Arrow
Prognosis Poor
27-Oct-21
Zebra
WRTI, Naivasha
Postmortem
Had an arrow lodged in the chest suspected to be laced with poison Severe colic and attendant rolling of the zebra on the ground led to torsion of the colon and rupture of mesenteric blood vessels hence the massive blood clot in the abdominal cavity The ostriches facing risk of death from escalated human wildlife conflict
Task Successful
28-Oct-21
Ostrich
Lake Baringo
Human Wildlife Conflict
29-Oct-21
Buffalo
Lentolia, Naivasha
Snared
29-Oct-21
Zebra
Oserengoni, Naivasha
Snared
The buffalo had a wire snare around the neck and a deep sharp object wound in the chest The zebra had a wire snare on left hind leg which had severely wounded the leg
Outcome
Died
Poaching Death Prognosis Poor
Case 1 – 10th October 2021 White Rhino
Natural Causes
Lake Nakuru National Park
This white rhinoceros had sustained injury to the perinium presumably during a territorial fight. The case was reported through SW Lake Nakuru NP. Immobilisation, examination and treatment The rhino was darted with 5mg Etorphine plus 80mg Azaperone from a vehicle. Separating and scaring away one subadult calf was challenging. On physical examination the rhino had suffered a deep wound to the perineum. The wound was also maggot infested. The wound was cleaned liberally with water and rinsed thoroughly with tincture of Iodine. A fly repellant (Alamycin Aerosal®) was added. The rhino was also administered with 18,000mg Adamycin 30% LA (Oxytetracycline) by IM route, 4,000mg Phenylbutazone 20% by IM route 12ml Noromectin® 1% (Ivermectin) by SQ route and 40ml Butasal by IM route Reversal and Prognosis The rhinoceros was reversed from the anesthesia with 24mg Diprenorphine and 100mg Naltrexone given by IM & IV route respectively. Prognosis of the case is good.
Case 2 – 13th October 2021 Zebra
Snared
Marula Estates, Naivasha
Whilst on general patrol, the Unit stumbled on this case at the Stone Crush area of Marula Estates. Immobilisation, examination and treatment The zebra was darted with 5mg Etorphine and 100mg Azaperone. The Vet removed a long wire snare which was around the neck and entangled the front leg. The prognosis for full recovery is good.
Case 3 – 13th October 2021 Zebra
Snared
Kamathatha, Gilgil
We were on patrol at Gilgil – Kamathatha area and found this injured zebra Immobilisation, examination and treatment This zebra was darted with 5mg Etorphine and 100mg Azaperone. The zebra had been snared and wounded by a nylon rope snare on the left front leg. The wound was cleaned liberally with water, rinsed thoroughly with tincture of Iodine and sprayed with a fly repellant. The zebra was also given 6,000mg Betamox LA (Amoxicillin Trihydrate) by IM route, 800mg Phenylbutazone 20% by IM route, 4ml Noromectin 1% (Ivermectin) by SQ route and 15ml Butasal by IM route. Prognosis is good
Case 4 – 13th October 2021 Zebra
Snared
Kamathatha, Gilgil
This case was among the herds of zebras at Gilgil - Kamathatha area.
Immobilisation, examination and treatment The zebra was darted with 5mg Etorphine and 100mg Azaperone. On physical examination the zebra had a wire snare on neck which was removed. The zebra was also administered: i. Adamycin® 30% LA (Oxytetracycline) 6,000mg by IM route ii. Phenylbutazone 20% (AGRAR Holland) 800mg by IM route iii. Noromectin® 1% w/v (Ivermectin) 4ml by SQ route Prognosis Prognosis of the case is good.
Case 5 – 13th October 2021 Zebra
Snared
Kamathatha, Gilgil
This case was among the herds of zebras at Gilgil - Kamathatha area.
Immobilisation, examination and treatment The zebra was immobilised using 5mg Etorphine and 100mg Azaperone in a Dan-inject dart. On physical examination the zebra had a wound which had healed on the right hind leg. The lameness and swelling were a result of a snare which had fortunately self-released. Reversal and Prognosis The zebra was reversed from the anesthesia using 24mg Diprenorphine given by IV & IM route. Prognosis of the case is good.
Case 6 – 13th October 2021 Buffalo
Human-Wildlife Conflict
Kedong Ranch, Naivasha
This case of a dead buffalo was reported by Ms Ellis (A resident of Surwai Estate) Kedong ranch Post-mortem Examination The dead buffalo was in a herd of about 15 buffaloes and had a subadult calf. Body condition was fair, score 3 (scoring scale 1= very poor, 2= poor, 3 = fair, 4= good, 5 = excellent. Specific post-mortem findings: • • •
Pale mucous membranes (eyes & gum) Pain brush hemorrhages on subcutis of the sternum and muscles of same Adhesions of the lungs to the pericardial sac and bluing of the pericardial sac and cardiomegaly
• •
Fibrin on the external surface of the pericardial sac Highly inflamed heart muscle - Severe myocarditis
Cause of Death Severe pericarditis and myocarditis pathological lesions in bovids are usually as result of trauma in particular due to “hardware disease” where a nail or a piece of wire punctures the reticulum and the pericardium when they are ingested during grazing. The disease is referred as Traumatic Pericarditis (TRP) in bovines. The immediate cause of death of the buffalo was terminal heart failure.
Case 7 – 15th October 2021 Zebra
Snare
Kedong Ranch, Naivasha
This case was reported by Kedong ranch resident Ms Sala.
Immobilisation, examination and treatment The zebra was darted with 5mg Etorphine and 100mg Azaperone. On physical examination the zebra had been wounded and the right front leg amputated by a snare. The wound was cleaned liberally with water, rinsed thoroughly with tincture of Iodine and sprayed with fly repellant (Alamycin® Aerosol). The zebra was administered with 6,000mg Betamox (Amoxicillin Trihydrate) by IM route, 800mg Phenylbutazone 20% IV route, 4ml Noromectin 1% (Ivermectin) by SQ route and 15ml Butasal by IM route. Prognosis The zebra was reversed from the anesthesia using 24mg Diprenorphine given by IV & IM route. Prognosis of the case is guarded.
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Case 8 & 9 – 17th – 23rd October 2021 Rhino Black/White
Technical Case
Lake Nakuru National Park
A rhino ear notching exercise took place from the 17th to the 23rd October 2021. During the exercise, a total of 14 Black rhinos and 6 Southern White rhinos were immobilized, ear notched and fitted with transmitters.
A meeting was held on the 18th October at Naishi between Lake Nakuru NP Park wardens, Rhino Security Rangers (spotters), Air Craft Pilots, Veterinary Doctors, and Research Scientists from Wildlife Research & Training Institute. The meeting was chaired by Head of Veterinary Services/Head of operation. The chair of the meeting reiterated the set protocols, including approval(s) by the Director General, Budget acquisition, Aircraft requisition, veterinary supplies, capture equipment check lists among others. List of potential candidates for ear notching was also circulated by the Lake Nakuru Rhino Security Team. Some of the potential candidates were expunged from the list due to age factor (less than 3 years or on the borderline) and calf/cow combination consideration.
Ear-notching exercise The process started by searching target areas for the suitable candidates using experienced spotters in both a fixed wing plane and a helicopter After the candidate was positively identified, candidates were driven towards open ground and darted from a helicopter. Immobilization was achieved using a drug combination of 80mg Azaperone Hcl and 4mg Etorphine Hcl for adults over 4 years and 3mgs etorphine Hcl and 80mgs Azaperone for subadult rhinos between 3-4 years. Induction time ranged from 3 to 13 minutes and notching and transmitter fixing for black rhinos and white rhinos took between 7 – 10 minutes (mean of 8 minutes). After an individual rhino was immobilized, the ground team moved in quickly to process the animal. A butterfly catheter was immediately fixed into one of the ear veins and this was used to determine oxygenation levels as well as to administer respiration enhancing drugs such as Doxapram Hcl and Butorphanol tartrate. Supplementary oxygen was also administered. Vital parameters including respiratory rate, pulse and heart rate, temperature, carbon dioxide levels and arterial blood pressure were also monitored routinely in immobilized animals. For white rhinos sometimes the animals were partially reversed from anesthesia to improve respiration by administration of 1/10th of reversal dose of Diprenorphine. To control hyperthermia, immobilized animals were liberally doused with water. A blindfold was also used to prevent damage to the cornea and to minimize visual stimulation. After confirming that the animal was in a stable condition, ears were notched using a predetermined pattern. Haemostatic forceps were used to control bleeding and topical antibiotic spray applied on the wounds. Six transponders (microchips) were fitted to the animal; one in each horn, two in the neck and another two at the base of the tail. Samples collected included: blood for hematology and serological analysis, tissue samples (notched ear tissue), horn and nail scraping(s)/horn drilling debris, fecal samples and hair samples from the tail After the processing was over, a signal was given for all equipment and personnel to return to the vehicles except for the veterinarian and the security team. The veterinarian administered the reversal drug Diprenorphine Hcl through the ear vein at three times the Etorphine dose for the Black rhinos while Naltrexone was administered to the white rhinos at a rate of 20mg of Naltrexone for every 1mg of Etorphine by intravenous route. A quarter of the reversal drug was also administered by intramuscular route to avert re-narcotization of the animals. The rhino was then observed until it was fully awake and walking.
Case 10 – 22nd October 2021 Zebra
Snared
Soysambu Conservancy
The zebra was darted with 5mg Etorphine and 100mg Azaperone. The zebra had been wounded by a wire snared on the withers’ region. The wound was cleaned liberally with water, rinsed thoroughly with tincture of Iodine and sprayed with a fly repellant. The zebra was then given 6,000mg Betamox by IM route and 800mg Phenylbutazone 20% by IV route. Prognosis is favourable.
Case 11 – 25th October 2021 Impala
Natural Causes
Sanctuary Farm, Naivasha
This case was reported by Sanctuary farm staff. The impala was darted using 2.5mg Etorphine and 10mg Azaperone. The impala had suffered a swollen foot in the interdigital space of hind leg. The hoof had over-grown and the vet performed hoof trimming and pairing. The Impala was also administered with 750mg Betamox (Amoxicillin Trihydrate) by IM route and 200mg Phenylbutazone 20% by IM route. Prognosis is good.
Case 12 – 25th October 2021 Impala
Snared
Sanctuary Farm, Naivasha
This case was reported by Guy Arskins of Sanctuary farm The impala was darted with 2.5mg Etorphine and 10mg Azaperone. The wire snare had not inflicted any injury so treatment wasn’t required. The anesthetic was reversed and the impala given a good prognosis.
Case 13 – 26th October 2021 Ostrich
Arrow
Lake Bogoria
This case was reported by the Senior Warden at Baringo. The ostrich was darted with 4mg Etorphine Hcl and 80mg Ketamine Hcl 10%. The ostrich had an arrow lodged in the chest. The arrowhead was suspected to be laced with a poisonous substance. The arrow was retrieved and the wound cleaned liberally with water, rinsed with tincture of Iodine and sprayed with a fly repellant (Alamycin Aerosal). The ostrich was also given 4,500mg Betamox (Amoxicillin Trihydrate) and 8mg Dexamethasone (Colvasone) 8mg by IM route Prognosis is guarded.
Case 14– 27th October 2021 Zebra
Post-mortem
WRTI Annex, Naivasha
On 27.10.2021 at WRTI Annex a full post-mortem was carried out on a zebra carcass. Post-mortem Examination On physical examination of the carcass, the body condition was fair with a body condition of score 3. The major gross pathological findings were pale mucous membranes including gums, eyes and vulva, ecchymotic hemorrhages of the small colon and large colon and the omenta, a massive blood clot in the ventral peritoneum cavity, torsion of the large colon and pale lungs with well-defined green demarcations Cause of Death The likely sequence of events to lead to the above gross pathological findings was abdominal pain – colic. Severe colic and associated rolling of the zebra on the ground led to torsion of the colon and rupture of mesenteric blood vessels hence the massive blood clot in the abdominal cavity. Internal hemorrhage caused circulatory hypovolemia and hence shock leading to death.
Case 15 – 28th October 2021 Ostrich
Human-Wildlife Conflict
Kiserian, Lake Baringo
This case was part of ostriches facing risk of death from escalated human wildlife conflict in Lake Bogoria. The ostrich was darted using 4mg Etorphine Hcl and 80mg Ketamine Hcl 10%. Once immobile the ostrich was reversed half way from general anesthesia and loaded into a truck. The truck had a layer of wet sand as part of the beddings and to prevent slipping. The ostrich was then fully reversed from the anesthesia with 100mg Naltrexone given by IV & IM route. The ostrich was safely moved from Lake Bogoria and released at Ruko Conservancy.
Case 16– 29th October 2021 Buffalo
Snared
Lentolia, Naivasha
This case was reported by Lentolia Wildlife security Scouts. The buffalo was darted with 6mg Etorphine and 40mg Azaperone. The buffalo had a wire snare around the neck and a deep sharp object wound to the chest. The chest cavity had been perforated and the lungs had been compromised. The buffalo succumbed to death during clinical examination.
Case 17 – 29th October 2021 Zebra
Snared
Oserengoni Sanctuary, Naivasha
This case was reported by Kongoni Game Valley staff.
Immobilisation, examination and treatment The zebra was darted with 5mg Etorphine and 100mg Azaperone. The zebra was then administered 10mg Butorphanol IV to improve respiratory rate and level of anesthesia. On physical examination the zebra had a wire snare on left hind leg which had also severely wounded the leg. The wound was cleaned with water, disinfected with tincture of Iodine and sprayed with a fly repellant - Alamycin. The zebra was administered with 4,500mg Betamox (Amoxicillin) by IM route, 400mg Phenylbutazone 20% by IM route, 10ml Butasal by IM route and 4ml Noromectin® 1% (Ivermectin) by SQ route Prognosis We reversed the zebra from anesthesia using diprenorphine 24mg given by IV & IM route. Prognosis of the case is guarded.