The use of haloperidol as a long-acting neuroleptic in game capture operations

Haloperidol (R1625, Serenace) a potent, long-acting butyrophenone neuroleptic, was shown to be very effective in game capture operations for the neuroleptization of several species of African wild herbivores, especially the medium and small antelopes. With a rapid onset of action following intravenous injection and a duration of action of 10-12 h in the majority of cases, haloperidol produced profound pyschomotor effects and remarkable tractability in red hartebeest, blesbok, springbok, duiker, steenbok and dik dik. Haloperidol suppressed the alarm reaction and facilitated the large-scale handling and translocation of captured animals. It also produced favourable sedation in Hartmann's zebra, Burchell's zebra, tsessebe and Black-faced impala. Extrapyramidal effects were observed in some species.