SWT/KWS Mt Kenya Mobile Veterinary Report for January 2025

SWT/KWS MT KENYA MOBILE VETERINARY UNIT

JANUARY 2025

3 Cases in January 2025

January Report by Dr. Jeremiah Poghon

Case

Mt Kenya Veterinary Unit resumed duty in mid- January after being away on annual leave and attended to 3 wildlife cases

The Unit undertook a capture and translocation of a Black rhino that broke out of Loisaba sanctuary, treated a snared zebra foal and undertook assessment of the same sanctuary for introduction of Southern White rhinos. The region remains calm with few cases reported.

Acknowledgement

The Tsavo Mobile Veterinary Unit (TMVU) would like to appreciate all stakeholders who aided in monitoring and reporting of the cases that required veterinary intervention.

A big thank you to KWS management for the technical support to the unit and the SWT for their continuous facilitation of the unit.

Case Details

19-Jan-25

20-Jan-25

Capture and translocation of a young male black rhino reported to have fought a bigger black rhino named Bruno and broke the fence while trying to escape

The zebra foal had a nylon rope snare that had cut deep into the tissues. Successfully Treated 21-Jan-25

Assessment of Loisaba Conservancy by a multi-disciplinary team for the possible reintroduction of white rhino.

SWT/KWS Mount Kenya Mobile Vet Unit Treatment Locations

January 2025

Case 1 – 19th January 2025

Black Rhino Relocation

Loisaba Conservancy

This young male Black rhino was reported to have fought with a bigger Black rhino named Bruno and broke the fence while trying to escape. The Black rhino had been translocated from a different area last year to populate the sanctuary. The Loisaba Rangers tried to push him back using a helicopter in vain, so they requested the veterinary team to assist. The team assembled a capture truck and crate from Olpejeta Conservancy and drugs from the Units clinic.

Immobilisation, transport and release

The rhino was immobilised using 4mg Etorphine mixed with 60mgs Azaperone delivered by a Dan-Inject rifle from a helicopter. The helicopter tried to keep the rhino in an open area, but it refused. The animal went down after 7 minutes and was blindfolded to avoid light stimulation. The anaesthesia was stabilized using 10mgs of Butorphanol and later another 5mgs Butorphanol administered through the ear vein. Water was poured on the rhino to cool him down and vital parameters taken every 2 minutes.

The crate was positioned near the head of the rhino, head ropes and tail ropes were used and held by a tractor and personnel. The rhino was fitted with an ear tag for monitoring. The rhino was reversed and pushed into the crate and the crate closed and fastened. The crate was loaded onto a truck and transported to the initial release site. The crate was unloaded and only a few personnel remained to open the crate. The crate was opened, and the rhino ran into the sanctuary.

Zebra Snared Laikipia County

The zebra foal was observed by Community Rangers to have a lameness of the left front limb near Posta area of Laikipia county. The Vet team rushed and found the foal with its mother and other zebras grazing nearby.

Immobilisation, examination and treatment

The foal was darted with a mixture of 2mgs Etorphine and 10 mgs Azaperone. He ran some few meters and was captured.

On examination of the lower leg, it was found to have a nylon rope snare that had cut deep into the tissues. The rope was cut loose and the wound washed with Hydrogen peroxide and later doused with tincture of Iodine and covered with wetted green clay.

Parenteral antibiotics, anti-inflammatory drugs and multi-vitamins were also administered.

Prognosis

The calf was given a clean bill of health and anaesthesia reversed using 40mgs Diprenorphine. The calf stood up and joined his family. Prognosis is good.

Case 3 – 21st to 23rd January 2025

Rhino Research/Survey

Loisaba Conservancy

The Unit was called in to assist in assessment of Loisaba Conservancy for possible introduction of White rhinos. The exercise was undertaken by a multi-disciplinary team from Nairobi and Laikipia areas.

Survey and assessment

Assessment was undertaken at Loisaba Conservancy after it requested to host White rhinos in addition to the 21 Black rhinos translocated to the Conservancy early last year. Disease outbreaks are a major threat to the growth of threatened and endangered species populations. White rhino range expansion programs in Kenya have previously reported diseases such as Filariasis, Anthrax, Trypanosomiasis, Clostridium, and TBD (Tick-borne diseases). These diseases pose a threat to newly introduced animals. Understanding vector population is critical in ensuring that introduced rhinos do not suffer from disease outbreaks.

The unit surveyed most vectors in the Conservancy contained ticks. Seral species of ticks were found but the density was not large enough to pose significant threat to the rhinos.

Conclusion

The conservancy was certified to host White rhinos. Below are some of the vectors (ticks) found in the conservancy.