Immobilization of Wolverines with Telazol® from a Helicopter
Golden HN, Shults BS, Kunkel KE. 2002. Immobilization of Wolverines with Telazol® from a Helicopter. Wildlife Society Bulletin. 30(2):492-497
Chemical immobilization of wildlife from a helicopter requires use of a drug dose that is adequate to sufficiently anesthetize an animal for handling, and a potent but safe drug is preferred. We assessed effectiveness of Telazol® to immobilize free-ranging wolverines (Gulo gulo) by darting them with a standard dose of 175 mg from a helicopter in Alaska, 1992-1999. Induction occurred in 3.7±0.3 minutes, with no difference between genders despite dimorphism in body mass. Initial sedation was 47.1±9.6 minutes and was usually sufficient for handling, but approximately 33% of the wolverines required additional doses of 50-100 mg to maintain sedation. Initial sedation and recovery (95.5±11.2 minutes) were related positively to dosage (mg/kg, r=0.76, P<0.004 and r=0.90, P<0.001, respectively). We conclude that Telazol is an effective and safe drug to immobilize wolverines from a helicopter. We recommend projecting it as a standard dose in a small dart at low power to minimize injury and then supplementing as needed to maintain sedation.
- Type
- Journal Article
- Authors
- Golden, Howard; Shults, Brad; Kunkel, Kyran
- Units
- CAKN , DENA , WRST , YUCH
- Keywords
- Anesthesia, Gray Wolves, Gulo gulo, handling, helicopter darting, Immobilization, telazol, tiletamine, tiletamine hydrochloride, Wolverine, zolazepam, zolazepam hydrochloride