Census and ear-notching of black rhinos (Diceros bicornis michaeli) in Tsavo East National Park, Kenya

This paper updates the status of the black rhino population in Tsavo East National Park (NP). Data were acquired through aerial counts of the black rhino between 3 and 9 October 2010 using three fixed-wing husky aircrafts and a Bell 206L helicopter in an area of about 3,300 km2. Based on previous sightings of rhinos, the area was divided into 14 blocks, with each block subdivided into 400 m transects. An aircraft flying at about 500 m above the ground was assigned to carry out the aerial survey following these transects within each block. Observers scanned for rhinos about 200 m on either sides of the flight paths. Intensive searches in areas with dense vegetation, especially along the Galana and Voi Rivers and other known rhino range areas was also carried out by both the huskies and the helicopter. The count resulted in sighting of 11 black rhinos. Seven of these individuals were ear notched and fitted with radio transmitters and the horns were tipped off to discourage poaching. Three of the seven captured rhinos were among the 49 animals translocated to Tsavo East between 1993 and 1999. The other four animals were born in Tsavo East. Two female rhinos and their calves were not ear-notched or fitted with transmitters. It is recommended that another count be carried out immediately after the wet season as the rhinos spend more time in the open areas while the vegetation is still green. The repeat aerail count is to include blocks north of River Galana

Etorphine-azaperone immobilisation for translocation of free-ranging masai giraffes (Giraffa camelopardalis tippelskirchi): A pilot study

© 2020 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. Etorphine-azaperone immobilisation was evaluated for translocation of Masai giraffes. Nine giraffes were darted with 0.012 ± 0.001 mg/kg etorphine and 0.07 ± 0.01 mg/kg azaperone. Once ataxic, giraffes were roped for recumbency and restrained manually. Naltrexone (3 mg/mg etorphine) was immediately given intravenously to reverse etorphine-related side effects. Protocol evaluation included physiological monitoring, blood-gas analyses, anaesthetic times, and quality scores (1 = excellent, 4 = poor). Sedation onset and recumbency were achieved in 2.6 ± 0.8 and 5.6 ± 1.4 min. Cardio-respiratory function (HR = 70 ± 16, RR = 32 ± 8, MAP = 132 ± 16) and temperature (37.8 ± 0.5) were stable. Arterial gas analysis showed hypoxaemia in some individuals (PaO2 = 67 ± 8 mmHg) and metabolic acidosis (pH = 7.23 ± 0.05, PaCO2 = 34 ± 4 mmHg, HCO3− = 12.9 ± 1.2 mmol/l). Minor startle response occurred, while higher induction-induced excitement correlated to longer inductions, worse restraint, and decreased HCO3−. After 19 ± 3.5 min of restraint, giraffes were allowed to stand and were loaded onto a chariot. Immobilisations were good and scored 2 (1–3). Inductions and recoveries were smooth and scored 1 (1–2). Translocations were uneventful and no complications occurred in 14-days boma follow-up

First reported case of fatal tuberculosis in a wild African elephant with past human-wildlife contact

Tuberculosis is emerging/re-emerging in captive elephant populations, where it causes morbidity and deaths, although no case of TB in wild African elephants has been reported. In this paper we report the first case of fatal TB in an African elephant in the wild. The infection with Mycobacterium tuberculosis was confirmed by post-mortem and histological examinations of a female sub-adult elephant aged >12 years that died in Tsavo East National Park, Kenya, while under treatment. This case is unique in that during its lifetime the elephant had contact with both humans and wild elephants. The source of the infection was unclear because the elephant could have acquired the infection in the orphanage or in the wild. However, our results show that wild elephants can maintain human TB in the wild and that the infection can be fata

Parasites in Captive Carnivores at the Animal Orphanage in Kenya

This study assessed endoparasitic diversity before and after anthelmintic treatment in captive lions, cheetahs, jackals, serval and sokoke cats, and hyenas at the Nairobi Animal Orphanage. The animals were treated with a broad-spectrum anthelmintic, Canex 4®. Faecal and /or vomitus samples were macroscopically examined for adult parasites. Faecal sedimentation and floatation techniques were used to assess the presence of eggs and oocysts. Of the 27 animals in this study, 23 (85%) were positive for Spirometra spp. eggs, while 21 animals (77.7%) positive for Isospora spp. eggs. Toxocara spp. and Toxascaris spp. eggs were both 66.6% prevalent. Ancylostoma spp. eggs were 62.9% prevalent. Jackals had the highest parasite egg diversity with six genera. Adult parasites were recovered from lion vomitus, which included Aelurostrongylus sp. Toxocara canis, Toxocara cati and Taenia spp. Adult parasites recovered from faecal material were Toxascaris leonina and Toxocara canis. Deworming is an essential component in good management of captive carnivores but need to be accompanied with regular assessments to determine parasite diversity and the efficacy of the drug in use. Sampling for enteric parasites should include vomitus as some parasite propagules may not be found in faecal samples. Keywords: Parasites, Carnivores, Wildlife, Captivity, Anthelmintic, KenyaKenya Veterinarian Vol. 31 (2) 2007: pp. 59-6

Unusual mortalities of the eastern black rhinoceros (Diceros bicornis michaeli) due to clostridial enterotoxaemia in Ol Jogi Pyramid Sanctuary, Kenya

Nine eastern black rhinoceroses (Diceros bicornis michaeli) developed clinical clostridial enterotoxaemia between May and July 2010 in the Pyramid Black Rhino Sanctuary within the Ol Jogi Conservancy, Laikipia, Kenya. The rhinos presented with a peracute syndrome characterised by severe abdominal pain manifested by struggling and rolling on the ground, laboured breathing and died within three hours after being sighted sick. Necropsy and histopathology revealed severe pathology in the gastro-intestinal tract (GIT). Grossly, the small and large intestines were congested and oedematous. All the rhinos had variable amounts of hemorrhagic fluid in the intestines. Microscopically, the most characteristic lesion was severe necrotising-haemorrhagic enteritis. Numerous gram-positive rod-shaped bacterial colonies that were identified to be Clostridium spp were occasionally seen in the intestinal mucosa. Clostridium perfringens type A was isolated from the stomach contents. C. perfringens was postulated as the aetiological agent with the infection triggered probably by change of habitat following a prolonged period of drought that was followed by above normal rainfall