DECEMBER 2025
12 Cases in December 2025 6 Poaching Cases 2 HWC
Cases
December Report by Dr. Titus Kaitho
The Unit attended to 12 cases in December, 6 of which were poaching related, 2 were due to human-wildlife conflict (HWC). The remaining cases were natural in nature and included rescue of one zebra foal. In addition to attending cases, the Unit carried out routine patrols in and around Lake Naivasha and Lake Nakuru NP.
Acknowledgement
We sincerely thank Sheldrick Wildlife Trust (SWT) for support, resources & sponsorship of the Rift Valley Mobile Veterinary Unit. Chief Executive Officer SWT, Angela Sheldrick, we acknowledge your unwavering support and interest in the work undertaken by the Mobile Veterinary Unit. Kenya Wildlife Service is acknowledged for general operational & leadership support. Wildlife Research & Training Institute (WRTI) supported the activities by hosting staff at WRTI. We sincerely thank all stakeholders and scouts and all who reported wildlife cases in distress. Thank you all.
Case Details
2-Dec-25
buffalo was suffering from a suspected testicular tumour
2-Dec-25 Zebra Soysambu Conservancy Snared The zebra had been snared and wounded by a wire on the right front leg Successfully Treated
10-Dec-25 Zebra Naivasha Snared
10-Dec-25 Buffalo Naivasha Snared
18-Dec-25 Zebra Naivasha Snared
19-Dec-25 Buffalo Naivasha HWC
20-Dec-25 Zebra Kedong Ranch Snared
22-Dec-25 Zebra Navisha Natural Causes
22-Dec-25 Primate Hells Gate NP Snared
29-Dec-25 Zebra Naivasha Rescue
31-Dec-25 Buffalo Sanctuary Farm HWC
On examination the zebra had been wounded by a self-releasing wire snare Successfully Treated
On examination the buffalo had been snared by a long winch wire on the neck Successfully Treated
The zebra had been snared by a wire on the neck which was strangulating the neck Successfully Treated
One male buffalo was freely roaming and living near an Airbnb house Task Successful
The zebra had been snared by a long wire which was strangulating the neck Successfully Treated
The zebra was severely emaciated, anaemic, suffered severe muscle wasting Died
The baboon had a nylon rope snare which had strangulated the waist Successfully Treated
The mare had died due to extreme exhaustion Taken to Orphanage
The buffalo had suffered a sharp object cut on the abdomen Successfully Treated
SWT/KWS Rift Valley Mobile Vet Unit Treatment Locations
December 2025
Case 1 – 2nd December 2025
Buffalo Natural Causes Soysambu Wildlife Conservancy
The male buffalo was darted using 9mg Etorphine plus 60mg Azaperone.
On examination the buffalo had been wounded by a sharp object on the right front leg. The wound was a result of a territorial fight. The wound was haemorrhagic and maggot infested. We cleaned the wound using water and rinsed the same using tincture of Iodine. A fly repellent (Alamycin® Aerosol) was applied. We also administered the following 24,000mg Alamycin and 500mg Flumeg via IV and 10ml Noromectin via SQ. Prognosis is good.
Case 2 – 2nd December 2025
Buffalo Natural Causes
Soysambu Wildlife Conservancy
The adult male buffalo was darted using 9mg Etorphine plus 50mg Azaperone.
On clinical examination the buffalo was suffering a suspected testicular tumour. The testis was swollen, enlarged and a bleeding with a chronic wound which was unpleasant to see.
The prognosis of the case was poor. To alleviate suffering the buffalo was put to rest.
Case 3 – 2nd December 2025
Zebra Snared Soysambu Wildlife Conservancy
The zebra was darted with 5mg Etorphine and 60mg Azaperone.
On examination the zebra had been snared and wounded by a wire on the right front leg. The wound was cleaned with water, rinsed with tincture of Iodine then sprayed with a fly repellant (Alamycin Aerosol)
We also administered the following 18,000mg Alamycin and 200mg Flumeg via IV and 5ml Noromectin. Prognosis is good.
Case 4 – 10th December 2025
The zebra was darted using 5mg Etorphine plus 60mg Azaperone.
On examination the zebra had been wounded by a self-releasing wire snare and suffered dislocation of the left hind leg at P2 area. The injury and dislocation were the cause(s) of marked lameness. The laceration wounds was cleaned with water, rinsed with Iodine and sprayed with a fly repellent We also administered the following 12,000mg Alamycin and 200mg Flumeg via IV and 5ml Noromectin. Prognosis is good.
Zebra Snared Marula Estates, Naivasha
Case 5 – 10th December 2025
The male was darted on foot using 9mg Etorphine plus 60mg Azaperone. The area where the buffalo had been trapped was heavily trenched/moated and not accessible by vehicle.
On examination the buffalo had been snared by a long winch wire on the neck which was seriously strangulating the buffalo. It was a real emergency as the buffalo was almost dying due to strangulation. We promptly retrieved the snare. Fortunately, the injuries on the neck were minor lacerations. Due to circumstances, the buffalo was reversed quickly and has a good prognosis.
Case 4 – 18th December 2025
The zebra was darted using 5mg Etorphine plus 60mg Azaperone.
On examination the zebra had been snared by a winch wire on the neck which was strangulating the neck. Fortunately, the zebra had suffered minor lacerations on legs & neck and didn’t require any further treatment. The anaesthetic was reversed. Prognosis is good.
Buffalo Snared
Lower Karlo Farm, Naivasha
Zebra Snared Green Park, Naivasha
Case 7 – 19th December 2025
Buffalo
Human-Wildlife Conflict
Nini Farm, Naivasha
This translocation activity was informed by a real threat to farm worker(s) at NINI farm, & Airbnb guests at the same farm and the translocation was promptly approved by SAD Central Rift Conservation Area. One male buffalo was freely roaming and living near Airbnb house. Kenya Wildlife Service Naivasha PAC team requested help to save workers.
Immobilisation
The buffalo was living in a bush near Airbnb house at NINI farm. One male buffalo was darted using 9mg etorphine plus 60mg Azaperone dart.
The buffalo was loaded into a canter – lorry using a tractor lifter/ shovel. Then the buffalo was promptly reversed from general anaesthesia.
Relocation
We reversed the buffalo from general anesthesia by IM administration of 200mg of Naltrexone.
The buffalo was transported on a canter truck and safely released at Lake Nakuru NP. .
Case 8 – 20th December 2025
Zebra Snared Kedong Ranch, Naivasha
The zebra was immobilised using 5mg Etorphine combined with 60mg Azaperone in a dan-inject dart
On examination the zebra had been snared by a long wire on the neck which was strangulating the neck and at times being stepped on by the zebra. Fortunately, the zebra had suffered minor lacerations on legs & neck and required no further treatment once the snare was removed. Prognosis is good.
Case 9 – 22nd December 2025
Zebra Natural Causes Shepherds Residence, Naivasha
The zebra was darted using 5mg Etorphine plus 60mg Azaperone.
When darted, the zebra remained recumbent, debilitated and failed to stand up on being darted. The zebra was severely emaciated, anaemic, suffered severe muscle wasting and was heavily dehydrated. The body condition score was (1) = very poor. Prognosis of the case after clinical evaluation was poor
The zebra was put to rest and carcass disposed at Hells Gate NP
.
Case 10 – 19th December 2025
Olive Baboon Snared
This case was reported by a Hells Gate NP Management
Immobilisation, examination and rescue
The Olive baboon was darted using 100mg Ketamine Hcl dart.
Hells Gate National Park
On examination the baboon had been snared by a nylon rope snare which had strangulated the waist and had severely wounded the baboon. We cleaned the wound with water then rinsed the wound with tincture of Iodine. A fly repellent (Alamycin® Aerosol) was also applied.
We also administered the following;
• Betamox LA® (Amoxicillin 150mg) injection 1,200mg by IM route
• Colvasone® (Dexamethasone) injection 2 mg by SQ route
• Noromectin® 1% w/v (Ivermectin) 1mL by SQ route
Prognosis
We waited for 45 minutes for self-reversal of Ketamine. Prognosis is good
Case
2025
Zebra Rescue
This case was reported by SWT/KWS snare retrieval team
Immobilisation, examination and rescue
Green Park, Naivasha
The zebra foal was darted using 0.5mg Etorphine plus 5mg Azaperone. The zebra was promptly reversed from anaesthesia using 75mg of Naltrexone given by IM route.
The female zebra had been suckling her dead mare. The mare had died due to extreme exhaustion, stress and capture myopathy caused by the snare and entanglement. The mare zebra had been strangled a lot and been entangled by bushes, and the winch wire snare was tugging a big piece of wood.
We administered the following to foal mitigate against capture & translocation stress;
• Betamox LA® (Amoxicillin 150mg/mL) injection 750mg by IM route
• Catasol® 10 mL by SQ route
Prognosis
Prognosis is good after the foal was translocated to SWT orphanage for adoption & specialized care.
This case had been reported by Sanctuary farm security staff
Immobilisation, examination and rescue
The male buffalo calf was darted using 4mg Etorphine plus 40mg Azaperone.
On clinical examination the buffalo had suffered a sharp object cut on the abdomen exposing the omenta tissues. The cut was due to a sharp object i.e. machete. We surgically debrided or freshened the wound edges by gauze scrub to bleeding level. The fresh wound was rinsed with tincture of Iodine. We apposed the open wound by using chromic cat gut sutures and vicryl suture material, after which Iodine was applied on the suture line then a fly repellent (Alamycin® Aerosol) was applied.
The buffalo was also administered with 9,000mg Betamox (Amoxicillin), 8ml Noromectin (Ivermectin), 250mg Flumeg (Flunixin) and 40ml Catasol.
Prognosis
Prognosis is good
