During November, the Meru ecosystem underwent a remarkable transformation following the onset of the rains. The once parched and dusty terrain now flourishes with vibrant green vegetation, covering the landscape in a lush carpet of grass and thriving plant life.
Seasonal rivers, which had dried to bare channels during the drought, now flow steadily, their waters shimmering under the sunlight. Permanent rivers, reinvigorated by the rainfall, surge with energy, their rippling currents creating a soothing symphony that resonates through the rejuvenated environment. Patches of woodland and thickets, previously sparse, are now dense and teeming with renewed life, offering shelter and sustenance for various wildlife species.
During this period, there was a notable decline in the number of wildlife cases handled by the SWT/KWS Meru Mobile Veterinary Unit. The unit attended to a single case involving a necropsy of an elephant carcass sighted in Kora National Park. Postmortem findings revealed that the elephant succumbed to a fatal spear injury, likely resulting from a human-wildlife conflict incident.
Additionally, the veterinary officer participated in a disease surveillance exercise in Wajir, focusing on the prevalence of integumentary diseases in Reticulated giraffes. This exercise was prompted by recent reports of giraffe mortality in the region.