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USING TAILORED TRANQUILIZER COMBINATIONS TO REDUCE STRESS ASSOCIATED WITH LARGE UNGULATE CAPTURE AND TRANSLOCATION
Lisa L Wolfe1, Michael W Miller1
11 Colorado Division of Parks and Wildlife, Wildlife Health Program, 4330 Laporte Avenue, Fort Collins, Colorado 80521-2153, USA.
Journal of Wildlife Diseases
|February 5, 2016
Summary
Tranquilizer combinations reduce stress and improve safety during wild ungulate capture and translocation. This approach benefits animal welfare without compromising research or management objectives.
Area of Science:
- Wildlife Biology
- Veterinary Pharmacology
- Animal Management
Background:
- Capture and translocation are essential for wildlife management and research on large ungulates.
- Conventional methods often induce significant stress and fear in animals, potentially compromising study outcomes and animal welfare.
- There is a need for improved techniques to mitigate stress during wildlife capture and handling.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy of tranquilizer combinations as adjuncts to wild ungulate capture and translocation.
- To reduce fear and stress in captured animals, facilitate handling, and enhance overall success rates.
- To assess the safety and effectiveness of specific tranquilizer protocols for different capture scenarios.
Main Methods:
- Utilized combinations of midazolam and azaperone for immediate post-capture tranquilization during physical capture (drop net, helicopter-net gunning).
- Incorporated a sustained-release haloperidol formulation for extended tranquilization during transport and holding (24-48 hours).
- Tailored tranquilizer protocols to specific field applications and animal handling requirements in Colorado, USA.
Main Results:
- Midazolam and azaperone provided transient tranquilization and muscle relaxation, preventing capture myopathy and hyperthermia during manual restraint.
- Sustained-release haloperidol ensured prolonged calming effects, beneficial for extended holding and transport.
- Tranquilizer use was found to benefit captured animals without hindering management or research goals.
Conclusions:
- Appropriate use of tranquilizer combinations significantly reduces stress and fear in captured wild ungulates.
- These pharmacological approaches enhance animal welfare and improve the safety and effectiveness of capture and translocation operations.
- Tranquilizer adjuncts offer a valuable tool for ethical and successful wildlife management and research.