MORBIDITY AND MORTALITY ASSOCIATED WITH 50 INDIVIDUAL PASTURE IMMOBILIZATIONS OF GIRAFFE (GIRAFFA CAMELOPARDALIS)...

Giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis) are considered high risk for anesthetic complications. Interestingly, few recent peer-reviewed studies have evaluated morbidity and mortality in immobilized giraffe under managed care. Given that giraffe may require anesthesia due to their large size and potential to cause harm, a more scientific evaluation of the risks associated with the various types of immobilization procedures is warranted. Pasture immobilizations are often considered particularly high risk due to lack of control over the animal's environment. Other perceived risks include interference by conspecifics and a delay in being able to obtain head control of the anesthetized animal. Fossil Rim Wildlife Center has a long history of pasture immobilizations in giraffe, allowing for a standardized procedure that has varied little over its 35-yr history. This allows for the unique opportunity to evaluate morbidity and mortality associated with pasture immobilizations, while minimizing other variables. A retrospective evaluation of pasture immobilizations in giraffe over 18-yr was performed (starting with the onset of consistent electronic medical records). During this period, 50 pasture immobilizations were reported. No life-threatening complications occurred in any cases. Ages ranged from 3 mon to 33 yr, with 24% of animals being over the age of 25. Duration of anesthesia from darting to reversal averaged 68 min (minimum = 24 min; maximum = 157 min). Five procedures were for the expressed intent of euthanasia. In the remaining 45 procedures, no mortalities were reported. This study shows a minimal risk associated with pasture immobilizations when performed with experienced staff under consistent circumstances.