The next day the elephant was anaesthetized and then euthanized, the calf was physically captured using ropes and then tranqillized using 20mgs of Azaperone (Stressnil) to minimize struggle. The calf was later flown to David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust elephant orphanage in Nairobi for care and upbringing.

Postmortem examination of the elephant revealed a complete and closed mid-shaft fracture of the right femur bone, there was also a small, deep wound with fresh haemorrhages on the lateral side of the fractured femur, the cause of the injury was not ascertained.

 

Treatment of a lion (Panthera leo) in Amboseli National park

Lions are very much prone to traumatic injuries or bite wounds while hunting for food, or fighting each other for a mate. They often sustain fractures or severe wounds and may even die in some instances. The adult male lion named ‘Kip’ in Amboseli was reported to have sustained severe bite wounds on the face and head, it was in accompany of two other lioness, and it was in a painful situation that required veterinary attention. The vet team managed to find it and it was successfully captured and treated for the injuries. It also had a GIS collar on the neck for monitoring its movements and involvement in human or livestock conflict cases, the collar was also replaced with a new one.

The lion was anaesthetized using 380mgs of Xylazine Hcl combined with 380mgs of Ketamine Hcl, it was darted on the left thigh and became recumbent after about 10 minutes. It was then blindfolded and transferred to a cool shade from where it was examined and treated.

The lion was in a good body condition and the vital physiological parameters were monitored and recorded as follows;

Respiration rate 28 cycles/minute, deep and regular, Pulse rate 74 beats/minute, strong and regular, body temperature of 38 degrees Celsius, buccal, conjuctiva and anal mucosal membranes had pink normal colour, capillary refill time (CRT) was 2 seconds. External parasites like ticks and lion flies were found on the skin.

The lion had sustained injuries on the eyelids, face, neck and shoulder regions, it had lacerative wounds penetrating into the muscles, inflammation and swelling of the head region and eye lids was evident.

 

We managed to capture the elephant by darting from a vehicle using 15mgs of etorphine Hcl and 1500 i.u of hyaluronidase; it went recumbent after about 5 minutes. All the wounds were well cleaned using a lot of water draining all the cumulated pus from the lower abdomen and then debrided using 10% hydrogen peroxide and topical application of tincture of iodine. Oxytetracycline antibiotic spray was then applied, and a further intramuscular administration of long-acting antibiotics and dexamethasone provided.

The elephant was sighted with a tight snare encircling the left front leg, the wound caused by the snare was already infected, full of pus exudates and tissue debris. The elephant had stayed with the snare on for long time and the wound had developed granulomatous tissues in an attempt to heal but healing was not possible due to constant irritation by the snare.

 

The elephant was captured by darting from a vehicle using 12mgs of etorphine Hcl and 1000 i.u of hyaluronidase; it went recumbent after about 7 minutes and the wire was cut off using a wire cutter. The wound caused by the snare was cleaned and debrided using water and 10% hydrogen peroxide, then treated by topical application of tincture of iodine and oxytetracycline spray. Other treatments by parenteral administration of long-acting antibiotics and antinflammatories were instituted. It was then revived from anaesthesia and released back to the wild; it was still weak and reluctant to move due to pain from the wound.