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Paralyzed Lions due to Secondary Poisoning.

Category: Hippos, Lions | Date: Apr 28 2008 | By: William

On April 15th we reported that two lions had died within the Mara Triangle. Here is an annotated version of the findings from the investigation, the original written by Brian Heath CEO & Dr Asuka Takita:

The history of the case reveals that three out of four affected lions had fed on a hippo carcass found on the river bank on March 31st. The first signs of sickness appeared three days post-ingestion, when a sick lion (Male #1) was found to be weak, staggering and sitting under a thicket.

The following morning, Male #1 was unable to walk and showed clear signs of front limb paralysis; where the animal could not stand and walk in a normal posture. He used his hind limbs to “hop like a rabbit” in an attempt to move forward.

Paralysis sets in.

3.4.08 Paralysis sets in.

The condition deteriorated rapidly within the course of a day, and Male #1 was no longer able to ‘hop’ by the early afternoon. On the same day, another young male (Male #2) from the same pride began showing a more severe form of paralysis and was recumbent by afternoon. This was followed by a lesser degree of paralysis in two more males during the next five days.

The first paralysed lion was euthanised by a KWS vet for post-mortem and sample collection. The post-mortem did not reveal significant pathological changes suggestive of infectious disease, and all of the organs looked normal except for slightly hyperaemic small intestinal mucosa.

The brain sample was submitted to Kabete Vet Labs for rabies testing, in which the results came out negative. Tissue samples (liver, kidney, small intestine) together with stomach contents, were submitted to Government Chemist Toxicology Lab to test for possible poisoning. The results showed that the stomach contents revealed a high concentration of Carbofuran. The stomach content of a second hippo found dead on 13.4.08 subsequently tested positive for Carbofuran.

Hippo found dead on 13.4.08

Hippo found dead on 13.4.08

An environmental survey was undertaken by Mara Conservancy staff from habitats in the vicinity of both lions and hippos. Water and soil samples were taken from the area, including water samples collected from a tributary where another dead hippo was found. All of the water samples tested negative for insecticides, while some of the soil samples showed traces of Carbofuran.

Based on a history collected from rangers, clinical signs manifested by all four affected lions, post-mortem findings and toxicology results, the paralysed lions are suspected to have suffered from secondary poisoning. It would appear that the hippos died as a direct result from ingesting Carbofuran contaminated plants, and that lions were then affected by feeding on the hippo carcass. It is believed that the severity of paralysis could be correlated with the amount of contaminated hippo meat consumed by each lion.

Due to feline susceptibility to chemical toxicosis, similarity in the mechanism and action of Carbamates and Organophosphates, the tendency of some Carbamates to initiate delayed neuropathy through NTE inhibition, and the absence of other alternative explanations identified for the paralysis, it is believed that Carbofuran-induced neuropathy can occur in animals.

Tests being done on sick Lion

7.4.08 Tests being done on sick lion by KWS.

The Mara Conservancy recommend an immediate ban of the use of potentially toxic chemicals (insecticides, pesticides, acaricides, molluscicide, especially Carbofuran and Organophosphates) inside conservation areas.

Based on the findings and the location of the affected animals, there is no reason to suspect the involvement of the local communities surrounding the Mara Triangle.

Thank you to everyone for both your support and your patience since our report of the lions deaths on 15th April. We ask new visitors to our website to click here to find out more about our Urgent Appeal, and also ask you to consider making a donation to help maintain basic park operations during this time of financial difficulty. Thank you.

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29 Responses to “Paralyzed Lions due to Secondary Poisoning.”

sheryl, washington dc, on 28 Apr 2008

Damn the humans responsible for the painful, agonizing and COMPLETELY UNNECESSARY deaths of these non-human animals.

s.

Steve Andrews/Bard of Ely, on 28 Apr 2008

Such a sad story of beautiful animals killed in a horrible way after they followed their natural instincts and ate their food. I have just read in Wikipedia that the poison concerned carbofuran has been reported to have killed many birds who have eaten it in grain form. Looking at the hippo carcass I am wondering how many scavenger birds like vultures have died and were never known about after they ate poisoned hippo meat!

Alanagh Recreant, on 28 Apr 2008

So very sad… I pray for your work today.

Colleen, on 28 Apr 2008

What monsters humans are to perpetrate these and other crimes against innocent animals. Poisoning is one of the worst.
To quote Albert Schweitzer,
“Until he extends his circle of compassion to all living things, man himself will not be free.”
Thank you Will for this report.

What Happened to the Lions | Mara Mobile Veterinary Unit, on 28 Apr 2008

[…] Last week, I have spent countless sleepless nights trying to prepare a report and presentation for the paralyzed lions in the Mara Triangle. The toxicology tests came out and Brian form Mara Conservancy to present the case in Furadan meeting on Friday. Please check Mara Triangle Blog for more details on the report. […]

asuka, on 28 Apr 2008

Hey everyone! Out of 4 paralyzed lions, 2 recovered from paralysis and that is a good news for us. 1 was euthanized by KWS vet to postmortem investigation and sample collection (which helped us solve this mystery) and 1 died because it was attacked by passerby lion. This happened very far away from any of the Maasai community and WE DO NOT believe that it was deliberate poisoning case resulting from human-wildlife conflict.

Theresa Siskind St Petersburg FL, on 28 Apr 2008

Putting my emotions aside for the moment, may I ask if there are any agricultural interests in this area, crops grown? Poachers wouldn’t poison animals, what would be the point. Livestock would die if they ingested contaminated plants, as well. This is a mystery, who has to gain from this?! We will continue to support the rangers but I really believe treatment protocals need to be put in place asap. This is close to my heart and I would do everything I could to help implement it.

sheryl, washington dc, on 28 Apr 2008

So, if this wasn’t a deliberate wildlife poisoining, then how do you suppose the carbofuran got into the plants that the hippos ate? Someone had to put it there, right?

s.

Fiona, on 28 Apr 2008

Thank you for the update. I’m pleasantly surprised that more predators weren’t affected as a hippo carcass seems like an easy feed and I believe 5 hippos died? I’ll admit I’m wondering how the insecticide came to be found in plants in that area too, but I trust that the Conservancy and other biologists will keep pushing for a ban on that substance and other potentially threatening substances. You don’t have an easy job because you literally have the life of a multiple eco-systems in your hands.

At peace..! | Lion Guardians, on 28 Apr 2008

[…] I am now glad to be safely back at camp after the poisoning meeting, which you can read more about here. At the meeting we also heard more news from Dr Asuka Takita about the poisoned lions in the Mara. You can read about the findings of the investigation on Asuka’s blog and on the Mara Conservancy blog. […]

Dana Phoenix Arizona, on 29 Apr 2008

I pray you can find out exactly why the poision was out there.

Harold, on 29 Apr 2008

I have the same questions that most people have. How on earth did the poison get there and who are the people responsible for this?!
I’m very glad that you guys found this out and taking this problem so serious.

Dipesh Pabari, on 29 Apr 2008

Daily Telegraph has done an excellent piece with links to all the related blogs. Do have a read:
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/earth/main.jhtml?xml=/earth/2008/04/29/ealions129.xml

Susanna, on 29 Apr 2008

Something as dangerous as Carbofuran should be banned as soon as possible. How many people have died from it?
Someone wanting to kill predators would lace a carcass, not plants, and this happened far from where the local communities are living, there’re no crops growing inside the reserve and if the Carbofuran had come from further away it would have come in the river, wouldn’t it? But, there’s no poison in the water. Who is gardening in the Mara? All lodges and camps should be thoroughly checked, if they aren’t already. Btw, I think gardening more than cutting the grass and maybe planting some beneficial indigenous trees should be forbidden inside conservation areas.
I wouldn’t mind seeing the omnipresent Doom spray banned as well.

pippa, on 29 Apr 2008

it’s absolutely devastating! don’t they know that they are jeopardizing their wildlife assets?! and besides this don’t humans every learn? i am feeling human society is going backwards…

sauwah, on 29 Apr 2008

i am so sorry for the death of the lions and the hippos. i too wonder why someone planted poisoned on the plants on which the hippos had eaten? They must have had the meat eaters( predators ) in mind. some people do find killing some thing thrilling. I just heard some one was using his/her dot gun to shoot pigoens in Florida. We do too many sick people on earth.

can someone tell me why the mara is a reserve instead of being a national park like the Amboseli? If it were a national park, i just assume the Mara would not have such trouble of funding and paying its over worked rangers who protect the area and its wildlife.

Kilimanjaro Lion Conservation Project » a bit of colour, on 30 Apr 2008

[…] already, check out the Mara triangle blog, where Will, Asuka and Brian have written of the recent lion poisonings there. The story has hit most of the major conservation news outlets overseas, and many local media […]

Sukuma Kenya, on 03 May 2008

Nat Geo have just put something out as well:
http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2008/05/080502-poisoned-lions.html

William, on 03 May 2008

Hello Sauwah

The Mara is a national reserve and not a park, which means that it is held in trust for the people and managed by the local county councils, as opposed to the Kenya Wildlife Service.

The National Parks are also suffering a crisis in funding during this time.

janet, on 04 May 2008

hi i’m janet, a broadcast journalist from kenya. i did a piece for tv on the poisoning, wondering if anyone of you has any details on more research for the story? pleasec let me know. thanks. and yes, damn the people diong this…its appalling.

Donations Received 8-28th April, and Thank Yous | Mara Triangle, on 04 May 2008

[…] rangers to monitor the progress of animals should they fall ill, (stills and video taken during the recent poisoning of lions was used as part of the investigation) and also to record any offences that may occur within the […]

BBC, Wired & Twitter on the African Savannah | Mara Triangle, on 10 Jun 2008

[…] Shah & Adam Mynott, who came here twice to cover two stories -the collapse in tourism and the poisoning of the lions. The poisoning of the lions will come out in the UK on the 17th June, on BBC News at […]

Thirteen/WNET » Africa’s Vanishing Lions, on 24 Jun 2008

[…] ate contained Carbofuran, a pesticide that has been widely banned. Here’s a an excerpt of the report: The history of the case reveals that three out of four affected lions had fed on a hippo carcass […]

Clarissa, on 04 Jul 2008

HOW DO YOU KNOW IT IS POISNONOUS???

William, on 04 Jul 2008

Hello Clarissa

I’m not clear on what you are referring to, could you specify?

Rachel Beer, on 04 Jul 2008

What an awful thing. I hope you can get to the bottom of this and prevent any more animals from dying unnecessarily like this. Those beautiful lions - it’s heartbreaking.

luke, on 14 Nov 2008

how terrible who would have done this shame on who ever it was
i own to white lions there the best ever

Katherine, on 14 Nov 2008

This is awful! how could someone do such a thing, those poor innocent animals, disguting really.
Thank you for this report will(:

Matt, on 14 Nov 2008

This is dreadfull
i cried 3 r=times as i was lookin at this page :’(

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