Mara Mobile Veterinary Unit

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Lions Dead in Mara Triangle

Category: Wildlife | Date: Apr 16 2008 | By: admin

As William wrote on Mara Triangle blog, we have been experiencing some crisis for the last two weeks with myserious paralysis of our lions (which is why I have been so busy and travelling many times between Mara and Nairobi).

sicklion1.jpg
Looks perfectly normal and alert, except for its limb function.

sicklion2.jpg
Paralysis starts rapidly, affecting the front limbs

sicklion3.jpg
After several failed attemp to move, it became recumbent in the afternoon.

KWS vet has euthenized the first paralyzed lion so he can perform post mortem and collect samples to rule out infectious cause. Mara Conservancy has been collecting environmental samples to rule out non-infectious cause for this condition. We are working in collaboration with KWS to find out what is causing this horrible paralysis in these lions so we can save the others. Two lions died (1 euthenized and 1 attacked by other lions), but other 2 affected lions seemed to have recovered and moved on somewhere. Other two females from the same pride seemed to be not affected but we have not seen them for some time. Please be patient as we promise to announce the outcome once all our sample results are out.

kws1.jpg
KWS vet team collecting blood samples from 2nd sick lion.

18 Responses to “Lions Dead in Mara Triangle”

Tests been done on dead lions. | Mara Triangle, on 16 Apr 2008

[…] Mara Conservancy has also carried out environmental tests in the surrounding area. You can read more over on Asuka’s blog. […]

Diana, on 16 Apr 2008

Hi Asuka! Are you in Facebook?

asuka, on 16 Apr 2008

Hi, Diana. I have discontinued my facebook account coz I hardly used it.

Theresa Siskind St Petersburg FL, on 16 Apr 2008

Hey Asuka, I’m trying to be patient, but is there a protocal in place to treat poisoned wildlife? I’ll do whatever I can to help with antidotes, dart guns, heck, whatever you need, just email me please. It’s number one om my priority list. Thank you for keeping us posted.

Fiona, on 16 Apr 2008

I’m no vet, but could this be tick paralysis? I know botulism can cause very similar symptoms to what the lions seem to have experienced too.

Lisa, California, on 16 Apr 2008

Seeing this beautiful animal like this makes me feel almost physically sick to my stomach. I hope you guys find out what is happening to these lions. Thanks for all your hard work and dedication. Lisa

Diana, on 17 Apr 2008

I asked because I joined a cause in FB called “We could lose the mara”, that seemed like a good way to tell the world about what you guys do to preserve it, it can also be a fundraising source, just think of the millions of people that are in FB these days, anyway, I looked for you and didn’t find you.
Ciao,

Diana, on 17 Apr 2008

Forgot to tell you: I did find an Asuka but she is a paraglider in Japan, don’t think that’s you :)

asuka, on 17 Apr 2008

There is one thing we are suspecting but we need to wait for our test result to prove that, so please be patient. We are working hard to get to bottom of this problem.

No, I am not paraglider…

sauwah, on 17 Apr 2008

good work! please update us . i would love to know where has the two lionesses gone? they might also be suffering from the same tragedy too.

Jo Anne, on 17 Apr 2008

Asuka, terribly distressed of this news. Curious was there any other
signs other than paralysis? such as distember signs. Or were you not able to observe earlier sign

asuka, on 17 Apr 2008

Tested negative for rabies. It is not showing anything suggestive of distemper nor tick paralysis. NOTHING is affected other than motor function for limbs. They all eat (when fed), drink, see, hear, alert and respond normal to all environmental stimuli. Does not cough, gag, regurgitate, have difficulty breathing, nor drool. No abnormal discharge, no external wound/swelling, no fever (from tranquilized animal), no constriction/dilation of pupil, no twitching, no tremor, no convulsion, etc. Normal temperature, normal heart rate, normal respiration. Everything is NORMAL for ALL 4 affected lions! except that limbs DONNOT work. MANY vets are burning their brains to come up with possible cause. It is not an easy case as no such case was reported anywhere in the world. I got consultant from all over the world trying to help us get to bottom of this. SO, PLEASE BE PATIENT and be supportive as we try our very best in solving this crisis and I beg people not to jump to conclusion until we get the proper lab result.

Theresa Siskind St Petersburg FL, on 17 Apr 2008

Very thorough report Asuka! We are extremely relieved to hear so many people are working on this medical mystery. We just want you to know we will help with whatever is the cause of this malady affecting these lions.

Dana-Phoenix Arizona, on 17 Apr 2008

Sounds like you all are working very, very hard to find out what is going on. I know this has to be so frustrating. We are here to help in any way we can, even if it’s just prayers. Just know that!

Theresa Siskind St Petersburg FL, on 17 Apr 2008

Well put Dana and thank you for supporting a delegate for the up coming conference, you are terrific!

Josh, on 18 Apr 2008

I agree with Diana, you should join FB, it’s an excellent fundraising source.

Robin Jo'Burg, CA, USA, on 18 Apr 2008

Hi Asuka,
I’m so sorry to hear about this. But am glad you and others are there to help!
On the aside, I haven’t been checking the blogs very often. Did you get a vehicle yet?
All the best,
Robin

asuka, on 18 Apr 2008

Thanks everybody for your support. Regarding my car, it has now been 10th week since I was told that car is coming. Dealer said it was coming last weekend so I went to them on Monday, and they told me till next week Wednesday. I am not even going to post anything regarding my car coz this is too frustrating and I will not believe its arrival until I see it with my own eyes.

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