Amphibian Euthanasia Procedures

Byrne, Michael

This SOP outlines the SECN technique to euthanize an amphibian if necessary. The methods for monitoring amphibian communities have been selected and designed to minimize the amount of animal handling necessary to meet the protocol’s objectives. Occasional handling is only necessary to ensure accurate identification in individuals with atypical patterns or coloration, or to differentiate species that have only subtle differences that warrant closer inspections (e.g., the number of costal grooves, tadpole mouthparts). During the handing process, all measures possible are employed by field personnel to avoid distress or harm in accordance with the Beaupre et al. (2004) guidelines for safe handling of live reptiles and amphibians. Prior to conducting field work, it is expected that all members of the field crew read and understand the safe handling procedures, the euthanasia procedures outlined in this SOP, and the circumstances when it is proper to consider humane euthanasia of distressed amphibians. To date, the use of safe handling procedures by SECN staff while conducting routine amphibian monitoring has not warranted euthanasia of any distressed animals, and it is the intent of the SECN to continue operations in such a manner that use of these procedures remains unnecessary. However, because the potential exists for accidental and inadvertent harm to handled individuals, the following procedures are set forth should they be necessary. If specimens are not destroyed during the euthanasia process or in postmortem analysis, they will be preserved and maintained in accordance with NPS specimen-management guidelines (NPS 2006, Russel 2006, Wright et al. 2008).

Amphibian Euthanasia Procedures

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