DSWT/KWS Quarterly Veterinary Report

During the October to December 2015 3-month reporting period the DSWT in partnership with the Kenya Wildlife Service and their four dedicated KWS field veterinary officers, attended to 73 wildlife cases

During the October to December 2015 3-month reporting period the DSWT in partnership with the Kenya Wildlife Service and their four dedicated KWS field veterinary officers, attended to 73 wildlife cases.  This shows a decline in cases compared to the last reporting period in 2015, which saw 110 cases attended to. 

The decrease in wild animals treated during this period can be contributed to the onset of the rains, which generally sees greater wildlife dispersal making it difficult for poachers to target elephants and other species.  Similarly, the rains effect community activities, whereby potential poachers and wildlife offenders turn to small scale agriculture and planting crops in the hopes of a good harvest.

Out of 46 elephants treated overall by all the Units, 20 were treated for direct poaching injuries including 6 elephants injured with poisoned arrows, 4 with snares, 3 with bullet wounds and 9 elephants attacked with spears.  Other cases included rescues, post-mortems, natural causes and non-medical cases. Other wildlife cases included 10 lions, rhinos, giraffe, and a number of other species.