All in a Day's Work for a Vet in the Nairobi National Park
Champions in conservation
There are a number of reasons why the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) is the Genghis Khan of conservation; chiefly, the well-oiled machinery that is a plethora of departments (engineers, lawyers, photojournalists, professors, pilots, graphic designers, vets, electricians...) all working under one umbrella for the good of our wildlife.
Collaboration for conservation
In a sterling example of the inherent collaboration that drives the conservation machinery in KWS, an ordinary Friday afternoon in December 2018 saw a veterinary team enter Nairobi National park via East Gate, along the Nairobi-Mombasa Road.
The job of a KWS vet is not your average, colour-within-the-lines, one. Most days, it resembles a conservation treasure hunt without a map.
The Rhino Monitoring and Protection Unit had reported sighting a titanesque female rhino sporting what appeared to be a serious injury on her left hind limb.
The ungulate, named Toprian, was accompanied by her calf, which appeared to be in excellent health.
The team was led by Dr. Mutinda. In keeping with drama being a side effect of breathing, the team criss-crossed the network of roads within the park in an attempt to find the easiest access route to the location in which the rhino had last been spotted.
All systems go to save the rhino
The team had to drive off-road, in a vehicle previously donated to KWS by the Sheldrick's Wildlife Trust, to reach the rhino team, consisting of two land cruisers and a team of about 15 Rhino Unit personnel.
Within moments of the vet's arrival, a KWS bell 407 helicopter 5Y KWM flew into the park and Dr. Mutinda boarded, tranquilizer gun at the ready.
The vet proceeded to expertly administer the tranquilizer – via a dart - to Toprian, and the calf took to its heels, no doubt terrified of the whirring rotor blades on the chopper.
The tranquilizer is a strong opioid whose goal is to render the rhino free from pain and anxiety for the duration of a surgical or other therapeutic procedure, with a prompt return to baseline functioning when the procedure is complete.
One out of the three KWS vehicles on the scene zoomed off to follow the fleeing calf, in an attempt to herd it back to its mother before any carnivores got wind of its unexpected solitude.
In the meantime, Dr. Mutinda sprang into action, administering oxygen in order to manage the animal and ensure that its vitals were stable. An assistant covered the rhino’s face with a soft scarf, to protect the eyes and ears from visual excitation as well as to keep her calm.
The opioid administered to induce unconsciousness may have side effects, including overheating. As such, water was liberally poured onto the unconscious rhino to prevent such a possibility.
Dr. Mutinda then proceeded to collect parasite (ticks) and blood samples, plus other biological tissue from the sedated animal’s body for later analysis in the KWS laboratory.
Wildlife genetics research not only furthers the understanding of which animals are at risk for particular diseases, but ongoing discoveries can also lead to the development of diagnostic tests and potential gene therapies, resulting in earlier disease intervention and improved health outcomes. Such information would be the basis for more informed decision making on the part of Park Management.
After these routine procedures, the vet examined the nasty-looking wound on the rhino's leg.
Treatment of any injured rhino follows strict laid-down procedures, in order to maximize the animal's chances of survival
The injury resembled an avulsion (large chunks of tissue on the area were missing, including all three layers of skin).
The cause of the serious injury could not be immediately established.
The vet flushed the wound with plenty of water to remove all dead matter. He also excised the dead flesh bordering the wound. Iodine was administered to the cleaned wound to enhance rejuvenation and healing.
A blue repellant was sprayed on as well, to prevent carnivorous insects from interfering with the healing process.
The vet administered an antidote to rouse the rhino out of its tranquilizer-induced sleep. He exhorted those present at the scene to observe strict silence so as not to agitate the patient.
The prognosis for the rhino is good, although there is need for constant monitoring to gauge if follow-up treatment is required. The Rhino Unit is invaluable in this regard.
He then instructed everyone to return to the vehicles and remain motionless, lest the animal charge when fully conscious. The rhino eventually came to and staggered to her feet, appearing disoriented, before sauntering away.
Dr. Mutinda observed his patient carefully, noting her gait and alertness levels.
The vet explained that rhinos are possessed of poor eyesight, unable to see anything beyond 30 metres, but their sense of smell is acute; Toprian was using hers to try and locate her calf.
Such successful interventions are the spoon in the conservation fraternity's cup of tea - booster shots to organizational goals that KWS holds dear.
Some days later, the KWS Rhino Monitoring team confirmed that Toprian was well on the way to making a full recovery, and that she was eventually reunited with her calf.
Conservation for Posterity
The key role that our vets play in conservation cannot be gainsaid. They offer second chances to voiceless wildlife which would otherwise coast along on a wing and a prayer when ill or injured.
Future generations who enjoy our heritage will marvel at its magnificence: who will marvel at the efforts which are invested to ensure that this heritage remains intact?
A day in the life of a wildlife vet may not be as adrenaline-filled as, say, that of the fictional Dr. Gregory House, but these vets are the wind in the sails of conservation, a totem to the passion that drives them.
