POSTMORTEM REPORT OF A BLACK
RHINO IN LAKE NAKURU NATIONAL PARK
By
DR. E. Ndambiri.
Background
Information
The adult female black rhino carcass was
discovered on the evening of 14/11/2014 within Kasarani area of Lake Nakuru
National Park. Both horns were intact though left ear and eye, lips and
perineum area had been predated on by predators. Absence of one ear made
identification difficult. The intact right ear had two notches indicating
figure 80. Considering territorial range, sightings of the rhino around that
area, sex and identification number within the scope of figure 80 it was
presumed to be Esther who bares identification number 587, aged 10 years. The
same had been sighted within that general area on 13/11/2014 according to OC
rhino.
A
postmortem was conducted on 15/11/2014 to determine the cause of death.
Important
Postmortem Findings
1.
Carcass was found at the center
of ‘kasarani’ plain. It was on right lateral recumbence. A seemingly spent 3cc
dart was found about 6 meters from the carcass
2.
Both horns were excised and
handed over for safe custody to Lake Nakuru National Park rhino team.
3.
The carcass was less than 48
hours old. It had begun to decompose.
4.
Serious considerations were
undertaken before postmortem begun necessitated by fact that the death of rhino
was ‘sudden’. This is so because the animal was never spotted sick or unwell.
Top on the list was any form of poisoning. Immobilizing drugs topped the list
by the virtual of presence of the dart within the vicinity of the carcass. In
the past attempts of rhino poisonings have been witnessed where concoctions of
chemicals laced on pineapples and bread slices were collected and analyzed.
Also attempt of rhino darting with improvised faulty darting equipments
containing crude ‘drugs’ has also been witnessed when these items were
recovered. Second on the list were infectious conditions such as anthrax, black
quarter, clostridial enterotoxemia among others. Fatal injuries especially from
gunshots and territorial fighting have been witnessed within the region hence
they were included in the list. Non-infectious conditions also were not left
out and in particular colic because the species is mono-gastric.
5.
Thorough examination begun from
outside to inside. The carcass was swollen depicting onset of decomposition.
The animal skin was covered with mud showing it had wallowed before death.
6.
There was no obvious point of
skin injury except the predated areas. Blood from mauled points had clotted.
There were no discharges from nostrils, ears and mouth. Limbs were rigid
7.
Hyperemia was noted under the
skin on the right side. This was due to pooling of blood as a result of gravity
on the side the carcass laid. There was no point of trauma. The rest of muscles
were not congested or hyperemic
8.
The left limb depicted
scapulo-humeral joint capsule tear suggesting dislocation possibly suffered as
animal struggled.
9.
The abdominal cavity upon
opening exposed gut and intestine full of ingesta and a gravid uterus which was
within inguinal region. The uterus had no fetal fluids. Their surfaces/mucosa
were not congested. There was hardly any peritoneal fluid.
10. The gravid uterus was poked exposing decomposing fetus which was
engaged in the inguinal area. It was anteriorly presented but upside down in
relation to dam spine. Its’ tongue stuck out of mouth.
11. Fetus was pulled out of uterus using hook. It seemed to be fully
grown with tough skin, well developed appendages and hairs on the edges of the
ears. It was a female fetus.
12. The whole of the gut was emptied and ingesta examined. There was no
foreign body except round worms within the colon.
13. The spleen, liver and kidney were not congested or swollen. There
edges were sharp and had relatively firm consistency.
14. Chest cavity was opened. Left lung was emphysematous as opposed to
right which was slightly reddish due to position of carcass. Heart was within
pericardial sac which had straw pericardial fluid. There was no form of
congestion both on myocardium and pericardium.
15. Esophagus and trachea were examined. Both were empty of any exudate
with esophagus collapsed and trachea patent but reddish on the right side
16. At the inguinal region there was a hyperemic area. The area oozed
blood when cut.
Conclusion and
Discussion
After thorough
analysis of the postmortem lesions found in the carcass it was evident that the
animal was heavily pregnant and that it was seemingly on term. The fetus was
fully developed and was ready for calving. It was normally presented anteriorly
but had ventro-dorsal malposition. Lack of fetal fluids shows that calving
process had already begun because it means fetal membranes had broken off in
the process releasing the fluids. The hyperemic area at the inguinal region
shows the point where fetus lodged resulting to delivery failure occasioned by
abnormal position of the fetus. The stress associated with unsuccessful birth
among them respiratory embarrassment is thought to have led to tongue wedging
out of fetus mouth as it tried to gasp for air.
Conclusively the difficulties
encountered during unsuccessful calving is thought to have led to death of the
dam and eventually that of the fetus.
The presence of dart within the vicinity
was seen as incidental finding. The area within which the carcass was found has
been used severally during helicopter darting and possibly the dart could have
been a stray or faulty one which was never recovered during one of the previous
exercises. This is well supported by lack of any lesion on the carcass which could
be associated with any form of poisoning. All other considered causes of sudden
death were ruled out.
Pictorial Presentation
Carcass on right lateral recumbence
Dart found within the vicinity of the
carcass
Surface of
skinned carcass
Patent empty trachea
Gravid
uterus
Fishing fetus from uterus
Fully grown
fetus
Empty collapsed
esophagus
Point of fetus lodging at hips
Uncongested mycardium
Visceral surface of the liver
Emphysematous left lungs
Inner mucosa of grandular stomach
Dislocated left scapulo-humeral joint
No comments:
Post a Comment