This report describes the activities of the Meru veterinary unit in January:
Case #1 White Rhino Carcass Examination:
Date Found: 9th January 2014
Date of estimated death: 5th January 2014
Species: White Rhino
Location: Solio Ranch
On 9th January 2014 a white rhino carcass was examined in Solio ranch to determine the cause of death. The rhino died from injuries sustained from gunshot.
Post Mortem Findings:
Significant Findings:
Incidental Findings:
Case #2 Treatment of an injured black rhino:
Date: 9th January 2014
Species: Black Rhino
Location: Borana Ranch
A four year old female black rhino was reported to have been attacked by lions in Borana ranch on 9th January 2014. She was reported to have shown a stiff gait, weakness and limited movement. There were skin lacerations on the back and hind quarters and emitted a foul smell suspected to have been caused by infected wounds.
Immobilization and Examination:
No significant improvement was seen after two days of monitoring the animal hence she was immobilized for treatment. Etorphine Hcl 4mg and Xylazine Hcl 50mg in a single 1.5cc dart was used. The animal was darted on foot with the dart placed into the muscles of the neck. Examination showed superficial tear wounds on the lower perineum and purulent vaginal discharge. This showed a suspected urinary tract infection.
Prognosis and Post Mortem:
Although significant improvement was reported after treatment, the rhino was found dead in a river 7 days after treatment. A full post mortem was conducted on 18th January 2014.
Significant findings included: Pus on the bladder due to ascending urinary tract infection.
There was thick frothy substance in the trachea and nasal passages. The lungs and other internal organs were decomposed.
Post mortem findings on this carcass were consistent with asphyxia secondary to drowning.
Case #3 Injured elephant in Samburu national reserve
Date: 20th January 2014
Location: Intrepid Samburu National Reserve
On 20th January 2014, game rangers based at Intrepid Camp in Samburu national reserve reported a lone male elephant showing lameness and a swollen left hind limb. The elephant was approximately 25 years old.
We immobilized the animal for examination and treatment using Etorphine Hcl 18mg in a single 3cc DanInject dart and a 2.2 × 60mm needle. The animal was located close to the bank at Ewaso river. Darting was conducted from a vehicle after trailing the animal to a higher ground. To revive the animal Diprenophine Hcl 54mg injected intravenously through the superficial ear veins.
Examination revealed penetrating wounds into the dorsal muscles of the neck and medially into the thigh muscles of the left hind limb. Both wounds discharged pus and were consistent with bullet injuries.
For treatment the wounds were washed thoroughly with dilute hydrogen peroxide and iodine lavage. 30% Oxytetracycline Hcl 30000mg was administered by intramuscular route.
This animal is expected to make a full recovery.
Case #4 Injured elephant:
Date: 21st Januray 2014
Location: Kalama Community Conservancy
Game scouts from Saruni lodge in Kalama conservancy reported a male elephant which showed lameness on its left forelimb with limited movement in the previous two days.
The elephant was immobilized for treatment on 21st January 2014.
Standard elephant immobilization procedure was followed with effective immobilization achieved using Etorphine Hcl. After darting the animal moved a distance of 100 meters before falling on right lateral recumbency.
Examination revealed a swollen cubital joint. No visible external injury was noted and the swelling was attributed to joint injury.
For treatment non steroidal anti inflammatory drugs 5% Flunixin meglumine 2500mg intramuscularly and antimicrobial 20% Oxytetracycline Hcl 200ml IM were administered. Animal was successfully reversed from anesthesia and is expected to make a full recovery.
Case #5 Post mortem examination of a white rhino:
Date: 17th January 2014
Location: Meru National Park
A male white rhino known as Baiteri was reported to have been injured following an attempted poaching attack on the night of 17th January 2014. This animal which had survived a previous attack in May 2013 had shown full recovery.
Rangers who spotted the animal in the morning following the attack reported that he sustained hind leg injury and was bleeding. However an aerial search for the animal for treatment using a helicopter and fixed wing plane was not successful.
A decomposed carcass of this rhino with both horns intact was found 7 days later. Post mortem findings to determine the cause of death of this animal were inconclusive mainly because of extensive carcass decomposition. However, skin samples preserved in absolute ethanol were collected for molecular analysis with the RHoDis project.
Report by: Bernard Rono