Chemical Immobilization of Free-Ranging North American Bison (Bison bison) in Badlands National Park, South Dakota
Kock MD and Berger J. 1987. Chemical Immobilization of Free-Ranging North American Bison (Bison bison) in Badlands National Park, South Dakota. Journal of Wildlife Diseases. 23(4):625-633
Twenty-six free-ranging North American bison (Bison bison) (22 adult bulls, one yearling male and three adult females) were immobilized using a combination of carfentanil and xylazine. For carfentanil the dose range (mean ± SD) was 1.8-5.0 pg/kg (2.4 ± 0.7 pg/kg) and for xylazine 0.004-0.125 mg/kg (0.07 ± 0.03 mg/kg). Induction time (mean ± SE) was 14.2 ± 2.9 mm (median 8 mm), while the total mean reversal time after administration of a narcotic antagonist was 9.0 ± 1.4 mm (median 8 mm). Only one animal that received the highest initial dose of carfentanil (2.5 mg) showed evidence of becoming “re-narcotized.” Five animals required two or more doses of carfentanil before becoming immobilized. Overall, small volumes of drug used (mean = 0.62 ml for carfentanil, 0.53 ml for xylazine) enabled the use of 1 to 2 ml darts, increasing both accuracy and impact safety. Darting success approached 100%.
- Type
- Journal Article
- Authors
- Kock, Michael; Berger, Joel
- Units
- BADL
- Keywords
- Animal Studies, Badlands National Park, Bison, Capture, chemical immobilization, Genetics, Immobilization, Mammals, Management, Monitoring, Vaccination, Vertebrates, Wildlife Health, Wildlife Management