SWT/KWS Amboseli Veterinary Unit Report for April 2025

SWT/KWS AMBOSELI MOBILE VETERINARY UNIT

APRIL 2025

4 Cases in April 2025

April Report by Dr.

Kariuki Edward

The Southern Conservation Area and the Amboseli Ecosystem experienced a hot and dry period in April 2025. Nonetheless, a slight amount of rain was received during the last days of the month. Four cases of veterinary importance were attended too which involved rescue and treatment of an impala, treatment of an elephant with an arrow wound, as well as the postmortem of a giraffe and an impala.

Acknowledgement

We thank Sheldrick Wildlife Trust (SWT) for material support and Mobile Unit funding. KWS Staff, BLF rangers and others not mentioned but who supported the monitoring of distressed wildlife in areas of interest are highly acknowledged and appreciated.

Case Details

April 2025

Case

Impala

Postmortem

Shimba Hills

An impala was fond dead in the Shimba Hills National Reserve and reported to AMVU on 5th April 2025. The AMVU team travelled to the site and conducted a postmortem examination.

Postmortem examination

The impala was located at the gate of the Reserve. Rangers had moved the antelope from the location of death to prevent scavenging by vultures. The antelope was emaciated and had its left eye removed, likely by a bird of prey. The stomach was bloated, possibly due to a post-mortem outcome. The gastrointestinal tract and the bladder were full of their respective contents. The kidneys were dark and pale. The spleen was found pale, and the heart was full of blood. Fibrin covered the liver.

The lungs were congested and had echymotic haemorrhages. The thoracic cavity was filled with straw-like fluid and there was froth in the trachea Red and dark lungs were demonstrated (atelectasis). Mottled grey and pinkish discoloration of the lungs. Petechial and ecchymotic hemorrhages on the lungs.

Cause of death

Pneumonia. There are no pictorials for this case

Giraffe Postmortem

Kitenden Conservancy

Amboseli MVU received a report of a recumbent giraffe in Kitenden Conservancy. However, the giraffe was found dead on the veterinary team's arrival.

Postmortem examination

The carcass looked normal, but the left rear limb. had a fracture.

There were o other significant internal or external observations,

Cause of death

Complications following recumbency and the hind limb fracture.

Elephant Arrow

Satao, Tsavo East NP

A male elephant was found with a pus-oozing wound and reported to AMVU. The vet team travelled to the Satao area using SWT aircraft and immobilised the bull for examination and treatment.

Immobilisation, examination and treatment

The elephant was successfully immobilised using 20mg of Etorphine HCl. The dart was incidentally placed under the skin, but the bull attained full immobilisation in 23 minutes.

The elephant had an old wound on the left part of the flank. The wound was pus-filled and had formed a slight bump. The swelling was cut, and the pus was drained. A cut was made on the lower part of the wound to clear extra discharge. The wound was debrided using forceps and Hydrogen peroxide. Oxytetracycline spray was applied locally.

Prognosis

The elephant was revived using Naltrexone (an antagonist for the immobilisation drug) and favourably woke up shortly after drug administration. The elephant successfully moved away after revival. Prognosis is good.

Impala

Human Wildlife Conflict

Amboseli Environs

A lame female impala that had fallen into a pit was reported to AMVU. The vet team travelled to the site and removed the impala for examination and treatment.

Immobilisation, examination and treatment

The impala was restrained manually using three professionally trained capture rangers.

The impala had tissue injury to the limbs, which likely caused the observed lameness. The external wound was sprayed with Oxytetracycline spray.

The impala was additionally treated with an injectable antibiotic (Amoxicillin) and Dexamethasone to cover for inflammatory reactions and secondary infections.

Prognosis

Prognosis is good.