IUCN / SSC Cat Specialist Group - Digital Cat Library |
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| Malik, P.; Chundawat, R.; Gogate, N.; Peshin, P.K. | |
| Field Immobilization of Tigers (_Panthera tigris tigris_) Using a Combination of Medetomidine and Ketamine and Reversal with Atipamezole in Panna National Park, India | |
| 2007 Conference Proceeding | |
Safe immobilization of free ranging tigers is of special concern and a challenging task. Many factors such as terrain, forest cover, time of the day, season, location of the animal and most importantly psychological state of the animal influence success in tele-injection and response to anesthetic drug. Careful selection of most appropriate drug and projectile equipment is important. Five females and two males were effectively immobilized on 11 occasions using 50-60 g/kg medetomidine and 1-2 mg/kg ketamine by i.m. injection via projectile dart. All the animals were located on kills and darted from elephant back from a distance of 15-35 meters. Duration of sedation was satisfactory for all field procedures and radio collaring. Recumbency occurred in 8-11 minutes after darting and all field procedures were completed in 30-45 minutes. Reversal of the sedation was done using 25-35 mg of atipamezole intramuscularly. Recovery was smooth usually within 10-14 minutes of i.m. injection of atipamezole. Advantage of medetomidine and ketamine combination for sedation of tigers included small drug volume for darting, rapid and smooth induction, predictable duration of sedation and ability to reverse anesthesia. It is concluded that a total dose of 10-12 mg of medetomidine and 150 mg - 200 mg of ketamine provides practical and safe immobilization of tigers in free ranging conditions. |
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