ed no reaction and two died. Although these results were 'not claimed to be conclusive because of the Notes on the Immobilisation of small number of animals darted, Bigalke was of the opinion that "gallarnine triethiodide is not a parti- I*J'X C ~emsbok(0 cdzelln gazelld) cularly satisfactory immobilising for the spe- cies". Succinylcholine chloride at a dosage rate of in South West Africa using 0.07 miIIigram per Ib, was used to capture a Beisa Ecorphine Hydrochloride (M-99) oryx cow (Orpx beisa anwcbens) in the San Diego Zoo, but she died one minute after she was imma- bilked. (International Zoo Year Book 1960, Vol. 2). hydrochloride was first introduced as a i,g compound for the restraint of wild ungulates by H. Ebedes B.V.Sc. Harthoorn (1965) in 1963 at the Salisbury Sympo- ~i~logist:S.W.A. ru'nture Conservat ion Br:~nch. sium on African Mammals. It has since given con- ~to~haNational Park. sistently promising results in various wild ungulate ~k~~kuejo.South ti'cst Africa species, Harthoorn (1965) and Pienaar et. al., (1966). A project was thus initiated by the research section of the South West Africa Nature Conservation Branch to determine the efficacy and safety of etorphine hydrochIoride for the capture of gems- bok.

IMMOBILISING USED The chemical compounds used to immobilize various species of wild ungulates have been comprehensively described and reviewed by Harthoarn (1965) and Pienaar et. al. (1966). k brief description is how- ever given here.

1. Etorphine hydrochIoride (M-99) (Reckitt & Sons Ltd.) INTRODUCTION Etorphine hydrochloride (M-99) is an immobilising compound with the following formula: In earlier times gemsbok were numerous and widely diswbuted in South West Africa, Shortridge (1934). T,8,-Dihydro-7 n- [I (g)-hydroxy-l-methylbutyl] - Human settlement, hunting pressure and repeated OG-methyl-6,14-endQethenomorphine.(Synonym : droughts forcing the gemsbok to migrate onto 19-Propylorvinol) . farmlands in search of grazing and water, resulted The properties of this synthetic - in the gemsbok becoming scarce in certain areas like preparation are 5,000-10,000 times greater and in unprotected parts of the territory the gems- than that of morphine. A smaII amount of the drug bok has become completely eliminated. is necessary to produce narcosis and analgesia. Th? In the past gemsbok were captured by chasing and main advantages of etorphine hydrochIoride over roping them from a motor vehicle or horseback or other immobilising drugs are the wide safety mar- by using dogs to bay them. Because the gemsbok gin, good tolerance and effective antagonism by is a nervous and aggressive animal these methods . were found to be dangerous and inhumane and Etorphin~hydrochloride is soluble in water, but heavy mortalitv often resulted. can also be dissolved in either Acetvl~mrnazineor A review of the available literature reveaIed that Triflupromazine so that Iess fluid is needed to fill relative3y few gemsbok had been captured success- the projectile syringes. Solutions containing 10 mg. fully with chemical compounds. Ebedes (1962) im- etorphine hydrochloride per ml, were prepared. mobilised a penned gemsbok cow using 17 ml. Cap- Etorphine hydrochIorjde was supplied to us for Chur-~arb(Palmer Chemical and Equipment CO.) investigational use by Reckitt and Sons, Dansom and 7 ml. Trilafon (Scherinp). The large volume of Lane, HuIl, England. CapChur-~arbrequired tommobilise the anirnaI and long i&obilisation and recovery tknes the 2. H E n h y d r D b r o m i cl e (B.P.) placed limitations on the routine use of this drug the field. Bigalke 11965) darted eight gemsbcik Hyoscine has an -like effect on the body in the Etosha National Park with 0.75-1.07 milli- and also depresses the central nervous system. It gram per lb. gallamine triethiodide and found that was added to the drug mixture because of it's inhibi- gmsb0k had a critical tolerance of the dmg. Three tory effect on salivary and bronchial secretions were successfully immobilised, three show- and it's potentiation of etorphine hydrochloride. Hyoscine hydrobromide is soluble in water and cotic effects of morphine and morphine-like drugs. stock solutions of 100 mg,per ml, were prepared. Tt is effective by the various parenteral routes but acts most rapidly by intravenous injection. Avaihble as a water solubIe powder or a 5 ml. multi-dose 3. Tranquillizers solution with a concentration of 20 mg./ml. Tranquillizers were used in the drug mixture to 3otentiate the effect of etorphine hydro- (b) Cyprenorphine hydrochloride (M-285) chloride and to sedate the animals after they had (Reckitt & Sans) been immobilised. N - cyclopropylmethyl - 7,8, - dihydro - 70c -- (l-hydroxy - 1 methylethyl) OG - methyl -- Drug - (a) "Acetylpromazjne" (Boots Pure Com- 6,14 - endoethenormorphine is a highly potent pany 1. specific etorphine hydroch1oride antagonist, The Acepromazine maleate (A.P.) is the =2- acetyl narcotic effect of etorphine hydrochloride is rapidly derivative of phenothiazine : antagonised by the intravenous or intramuscular in- 2 acetyI - 10 - (3 dimethylamino - propyl) jwtion of cyprenorphine hydrochloride. phenothiazine. A.P. is a central nervous depressant, Cyprenorphine hydrochIoride (M-285) was supplicd is rapidly absorbed and is effective at a low dosage to us as a water soluble powder for investigational rate. The recommended dosage for domestic un- use by Reckitt & Sons, Dansom Lane, Hull, Eng- gulates is 0.05 mg. per pound body weight. A.P. is land. commercially available at a concentration of 10 mg. Jml. or 20 mg./ml.

(b) "'Largactil" (May & Baker, Pty. Ltd.) EQUIPMENT ChIorpromazine hydrochloride: The Palmer Powder-charge Pmjector (Palmer Chc- 2 - chloro - 10 - (3' - dimethylamino - n - mica1 and Equipment Co.) and standard Palmcr propyl) phenothixine hydrochloride. Largactil is a 2 ml. 3 ml. and 4 ml. projectile automatic syringrs: depressant of the central nervous system. The re- with barbed needles l-1% inches Iong were used. commended dosage for domestic ungulates is 0.5- Because of the low charge of the gunpowder in 1.0 mg./Ib. body weight. the preIoaded modified shotgun cartridges (c 240 mg.) the range of fire of the darts was inaccuratr3 The powder was supplied to us by Maybaker (S.A.) for distances over 45 yards. (Pty) Ltd. of Port Elizabeth. The solubility is 1 gram/2.5 mI. water. The Van Rooyen crossbow was used on a few or- casions, but found impracticable on the windy open (c) "SiquiI" (Squibb Laboratories) plains of Etosha National Park. Gemsbok cows ~II a herd seldom stood still for a reliable reading to Trif lupromazine hydrochloride is a tranquillizer five be taken on a range-finder. The crossbow was founrl times stronger than chlorpromazine hydroch!oride unwieIdy when fired from a moving motor vehiclr. and is virtually non-toxic. Recommended intra- Further trials wilI however be conducted with thr 10 muscular dosage for domestic ungulates is mg. crossbow after more experience has been gained. All p~r100 Ibs, body weight. It is commercially avai- syringes, needles and projectile syringe-barrels werr labIe at a concentration of 20 mg. per ml, sterilised before use.

4. "S erny l a n" (Parke Davis) TECHNIQUES 1 - ( - Phenylcyclohexyl) piperidine mono-hy- drochloride. Sernylan is a "Neuroleptic" drug and Four methods of approaching and darting gemsbok potentiates the action of etarphine hydrochloride were investigated. In open country the last method and tranquillizers. was found to be the most satisfactory. Sernylan is commercially available at concentra- tions of 20 rng./ml. and 100 Pienaar a1 mg./mI. et L. Penned animals (1966) recommend that Sernylan should not be used at a dosage rate of more than 100 mg./500 Ibs, body Due to the keen sense of sight, smell and hearing weight when administered in combination with etor- of the gemsbok great difficulty was experienced in phine hydrochloride. There is no for Ser- approaching them closely on foot. On one occasion n ylan. gemsbok were enticed with food and water into a hessian-covered wooden enclosure of approximately 200 square yards area. When a sufficient number 5. Morphine antagonists were in the enclosure the gate was closed and a few animals injected from close range. This method (a) NaIorphine hydrobromide ("Lethidrone" - Bur- had disasterous results because the bewiIdered ani- roughs Wellcome and Company). mals panicked and in their attempts to escape from N - ally1 is a synthetic morphine the enclosure either fractured their necks or fatally derivative which reverses or antagonises the nar- gored each other. IMMOBILfSATfON OF GEMSBOK 37

2. ~artingfrom a waterhole hide We found the most suitable vehicle for this work to be the ]Land Rover Short Wheel Base with the mimds can easily be darted from dose range from cab and the side windows removed and windscreen hides near a waterhole. The disadvantage of this folded down or removed, or the Land Rover Station- method is that after the dart has struck, gemsbok, wagon with the left side window removed. When @peciaZly the cows, panic and immediately take operating from an open Land Rover it is adviseable flight, often ??Unning for several miles and getting for the team to wear safety belts, protective gog- lost in thick bush. The disturbance factor around gles and crash helmets. the waterhole is considerable and two to three hours may lapse before animals re-approach the Over fairly rough terrain good results can be ob- water. It is doubtful if more than three gemsbok tained wtih practice, especially if there is under- ,a be immobilised per day at a waterhole. This standing and good communication between the ,ethod may be the only practical one to use when driver and the marksman. The anjmaI must be wpturing gemsbok in thick bush or in mcky terrain. darted within a mile from the commencement of the pursuit or the pursuit must be abandoned, be- cause morblity from heart failure or muscIe para- 3. Stalking and darting lysis may result. These conditions are not due to from a motor vehicle the immobilising drugs, but may be precipitated by them. Gemsbok chased for long distances even On the open plains of the Etosha National Park without the injection of immobilising drugs can al- gem~bokcan sometimes be approached up to 5-0 so die of heart-failure. yards in a slowly moving vehicle. As soon as the vehicle stops however, the animals which are nor- After the gemsbuk is recumbent, it is approached mally nervous are immediately alerted and move on foot and the horns lassooed. The horns are held away. The marksman has approximately five se- and the ends of a 3 foot length of thick rubber conds to aim and fire the dart. Because of the Iow hosepipe are firmly fitted over each horn and the charge of powder in the cartridges mentioned above, eyes blind-folded as a safety precaution. Eye oint- and the unreliable trajectory over 50 yards, many ment is applied aver the cornea of the eyes to shots were missed. After a herd of gemsbok had prevent drying. (Terra-Cortril eyejear ointment, been staked and fired at on two or three occasions, Pf izer. ) the "flight distance" increased from 60 yards to 130-150 yards. Gemsbk in Etosha National Park While a semi-tranquillised gemsbak circles around soon learnt to associate the capture-vehicIe with in a bemused state, it can easily be lassooed and disturbance and danger and took flight as soon as cast. but It approached, were not unduly upset when The disadvantages of above method are: other vehicles approached them. In the Namib De- sert and on farms bordering the desert, the "flight (a) Frequent misses by the inexperienced and un- distance" is usually more than 300 yards. practiced mgrhan resulting in wastage of drugs and darts, 4. Darting from a moving vehicIe (b) Incorrect placing of the projectile syringe re- sulting in long immobilisation times of ineffective Because the previous three methods proved unsatis- immobilisation. factory for capturing a large number of gemsbok, darting fma moving vehicle was resorted to. (c) Damage to the vehicle in rough terrain. Gemsbok seldom permit: a close approach. When found in dense bushy country they could be slowly herded or driven towards an open fIat plain suitable RESULTS AND DISCUSSION for pumuit in a motor vehicle. The technique we used was to select an individual in a herd, drive The results obtained from darting sixty-four gems- behind and then along side it and dart it from a bok using various drug combinations are given in distance of 15-30 yards while travelling at speeds Tables 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5. Table 6 is a summary of of 2-5 miles per hour. The site of darting is the data from TabIes 1 20 5. Table 7 is a summary important. Placing the dart in the muscles of the of the recovery times. forelimb or neck should always be attempted. Dart- ing on or near bones, tendons or abdominalIy (some- times unavoidable when operating from a moving WEIGHTS vehicle) results in excessively long immobilisation times or ineffective immobilisation. Semi-tranquil- The weights of gemsbok were based on estimations. lization, overexitement and fatigue from running When members of the capture team disagreed on long distances results in stress and muscle-glygogen the weights , the average was taken. depletion and fatalities can be expected. After the animd has been successfully darted the vehicle is slowed and the animd kept in sight with DART OR INJECTION SITES binoculars or followed in the vehicle from a distance of 150-200 yards until it starts reacting to the The various injection sites referred to in the tabIes narcotic. are illustrated in Figure l. 38 EBEDES

animal is subjected to stress factors and tissr~e damage which invariably result in mortality.

RECUMBENCY TIME The period of time elapsing between recumbenc:c and recovery after injection of the antagonist is FIgure 1. Diagram of Gemsbok shawing Darting Sites. not recorded but varied from 30 minutes to onc hour thirty minutes. Most of the gemsbok immobi- lised, were eartagged, branded, painted er in somc cases marked with coloured plastic neckbands. Somc IMMOBILISATION TIMES of the gemsbok were crated and transIocated hr.- fore the antagonist was injected. The time interval that lapsed between injection of the drugs and recumbency is referred to as the imrnobiljsatlon time and was determined by means R E C 0 V E R y T I M E of a stopwatch. In some cases gemsbok were not jmmobilisd within 33-30 minutes, but wandered This was recorded from the moment the antago- amund in a semi-tranquillized bemused state. ~hese nist Was injected until the animaI Was alert ~nrl animals were lassooed with a mpe and cast. A "c7* attempted to rise to it's f~t.The antagonist Wa- in front of the immobjIisation time in the tables u~uallyslowly injected intraveIl0Ll~~yvia One of refers to the lime lapse before the lasswed animal the superficial ear veins or the juguiar vein. was cast and recumbent on the ground. OccasionaIly a recovered animal was reluctant tr~ of If no signs of sedation or narcosis were observed rise. Clapping hands, shouting or a sharp smack onto within 45 minutes, the immobiIisation was regarded on the buttocks usually brought: it it's feet. as ineffective. Figure 2 illustrates graphically the relationship T E M P E R A T U R E between the injection site and immobilisation time. T~, temperature was taken soon after thr The data in Figure 2 is com~ildfrom Table 5 be- pmsbok were mumbent. ~i~htemperatures tor- cause the dosage rates were kept constant and are responded with Ieng immobilisation times pro- of statistical value. Of the twelve anjmaIs darted bably because of increased muscular action and in the muscles af the forequarter and neck, seven exertion, were immobilised in under ten minutes and the re- maining five in under fifteen minutes. Gernsbok E58 was injected accidentally behind the ear near B E H A V I 0 U R A FT E R D A R T I N G the atlas vertebra and was immobilised in the re- markably short time of 48 seconds. The reaction of gemsbok to the immobilising drug5 invariably was as follows: The data in Figure 2 shows that the site of injec- tionplays an important role inproducingrapid l-Thepaceslowsfromagallo~toasEowt~ttu immobilization of gemsbok because the drugs are a fast walk. absorbed mow effectively. With proIonged imo- 2. During the fast walk with short bt-isk steps and bilisation times great distances are covered and the feet raised high, known as "'hackney gait", the - NECK SHOULDER HIP LUMBAR SCAPULA ABDOMEN WITHERS STl FLE ELBOW DART SITE

171gure 2. Relationship between Dartlng Sites and Imrno~~llisnlionTime (refcr to Tablc 53. animal usually starts circling. Concurrent with the MORTALITY circIing the head is lowered, the eyeyes held wide open, the ears forward, and the tail stiffly down. Mortality after immobilisation resulted when gems- bok were chased for long distances before they 3. The circles at first wide, become smaller and the were darted or ran too far as a result or proIongcd animal shows ataxia and frequent stumbling. ar delayed immobilisation times. The three animals immobilised in Table 4 were pursued for more than 4, An effect resembling the Straub-Hermann reac- three miles before they were darted. Two of them tion of mice is shown shortly before the animal died three days later after showing symptoms of falls to the ground. generalised locomotor paralysis and the third one 5. The majority of the animals lie on their sternums died of congeslive heart-failure. Post rnortern exn- with the chin resting on the ground. mination indicated degeneration of the skeletal muscles and myohaemoglobinuria. Histopathological 6. A large number of immobilised gernsbok gnash examination showed advanced Zenker's necrosis of their teeth. skeletal muscle, congestion of the myocard, dege- 7. Mydriasis is always present and the animal fre- neration and congestion of the kidney, and oedema quently blinks it's eyes indicating photophobia. The and congestion of the lung, Basson (1966) (Vet- eyes are usuaIIy dull. rinary Research Institute. Personal communica- tion). A fifth gernsbok of the same sex and weight 8. Curiosity and fearlessness of humans is shown as the foremen t ioned, was chased for approximat el v in most animals prior to recumbency. Gemsbok five miles, but was not dartgd because it ran into taking a Iong time to react to the immobilising a fence. It died 40 minutes later after it was dis- drugs would approach the darting vehicle and stand entangled from the wires. Post mostem examina- next to it for several minutes. tion revealed severe congestion of all the organ.: and some degree of haemorrhage in various tix- 9. The senses of smell and sight are- dulled, but hearing remains good. For this reason unnecessary sues; these were probably due to shock or acutr cardiac failure, Basson (Personal communication 1. loud noises must always be avoided. Gemsbok E.5 had a posterior paraIysis and was 10. Antibiotics, vitamins A, D and E and cortico- destroyed for humanitarian reasons after 48 hours. steriod preparations were always injected intramus- Post rnortern examination showed a myohaemoglo- cdarly to prevent possible stress and infection. binuria and myocardiaI degeneration. E.52 was des- troyed after injuring her spine while trying t~l escape from a holding pen. E.53 was accidentally BEHAVIOUR AFTER ADMTNIS- dad& in the abdomen and ran far appmximatel) TRATION OF ANTAGONISTS 6.5 miles before she couId be lassooed and cast. Because of the delayed absorbtion of the immobilis- Immobilised gemsbok responded dramatically to ing drugs the immobilisation time was 78 minutes. the intravenous injection of either nalorphlne hy- Post mortem examination 'immediately after deatb dmbmmide or cyprmorphine hydrochloride. reveaIed the following: generalised congestion of Reactions occurred in the following order : the internal organs and skeletal muscles, sub- endo 1. The ears went back and started twitching. Head and subepicardial haemorrhages, myocardial dege- was raised and the eyes brightened, neration and oedema, emphysema and congestion of the lungs. These lesions are similar to those 2. The animal was usually fuIly conscfous within described by Young (1966) in red hrtebmte , two minutes and attempted to rise to it's feet. (dlcelaphw bwaelapkusl, which died a few days 3. A characteristic "snort-purring" noise was often after they had been caught mechanically; and th~ made as the animal regained consciousness. muscular dystrophy described by Jarrett et. at. (19641, and Murrag (1967) in Hunter's ante lop^ 4. When upright the muscles twitched for a few tDkn3.a lhcus hunt&). minutes and the animal slowly walked or Tan away. 5. Occasionally a gemsbok showed a peroneal pa- These lesions have also been seen by us in eland resis, but this never Iasted for more than 10 mi- (Talcrotragus oqx) and giraffe (Giraf fa cnmelo- nutes. pardulis) that died after prolonged muscular exer- tion. 6. Bulls were sometimes oblivious to human pre- sence for periods of 20 to 30 minutes before walk- No deaths could be attributed directIy to the drugs. ing or running away. 7. Cows were frequently found with their original herds within twenty-four hours after imrnobili- GROUPEDDATA sation. Preliminary analysis of the grouped data of the 8. A few animaIs bloated most probably as a result five TabIes show that at a mean dosage rate of 8.41 of the hyoscine inhibiting the eructation reflex. An microgramjlb. etorphine hydrochloride (M-991, 58 intramuscurar injection of 1 to 2 mg. per 100 lbs. micrograrn/lb. hyoscine hydrobmmide and 128 mic- bodyweight of neostigmine methylsulphate ("Pro- rogram/lb. trif lupromazine, 75 % of 64 gemsbok stigmin": Roche Products) brought about eructa- were successfully immobilised. 52 76 were Imrnobili- tion and relief. sed within 15 minutes. At a dosage rate of 32.8 ,icrogram per lb. cyprenorphine hydrochloride (M- ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS 285) by Intravenous injection the mean recovery time was less than two minutes. I am grateful to Mr. B. J. G. de la Bat, Director of Nature Conservation, and the S.W.A. Parks Boards f~rinitiating and approving this immobilisation pro- ject. I wish to express my gratitude to Rangers Peter Stark, Bernard K. ViIjoen. Andr4 Duvenage 1. Gemsbok can be immobilised effectively, rapidly and to Josef Awob for their assistance in the field, safely with etorphine hydrochloride, hyoscine I wish to thank thc Chief of the Transport Branch hydrobromide and trif!upromazine (Siquil) . of the S.W.A. Administration and his personnel for 2. 'fie immobilising drugs should preferably be in- supplying and maintaining the motar vehicles us& jected into the muscles of the shou!der, neck or during the triaIs. hindquarter to ensure satisfactory absorbtion of The Sales Manager of Maybaker Ltd. (Veterinary the drugs and rapid immobilisation. Division) is thanked for supplies of Chlorpromazinc 3. When pursued and dartod from a moving vehicle hydr.3chIoride powder. gemsbok must not be chased for more than on? The writer is deeply indebted to Dr. A. M. Hart- rni!e. hoorn, Dr. U. de V. Pienaar, Mr. G. Colman Green 4. Provided the animals are not subjected to exces- and Mr. Ken L. Tinley for their encouragement, sive chasing and prolonged muscular exertion, mor- c~nstructiveadvice and criticism of the paper. tality is of no significance. Experimental samples of etorphine hydrochloride 5. The narcotic effect of etorphine hydrochloride is (M-99) and cyprenorphine hydrochloride (M-285) rapidly antagonised with the intravenous injection were generously supplied by Messrs. Reckitt & Sons, of hydrobromide or cyprenorphine hy- Dansom Lane, Hull, England to whom I am most drochloride. grateful. 6. With a dosage rate of 10.25 microgram/lb. etor- This report is published with the approval of the phine hydrochloride, 52 microgramjlb. hyoscine hy- Secretary for South West Nrica. drobromide and 128 microgram/Ib. trif lupromazine based on estimated bodyweight, 25 out of 30 gems- bok (83%) were successfully immobiIised (Table S). REFERENCES 7. Tentatively the following dosage rate is recom- mended for the irnmobiIisatian of gemsbok in South EBEDES, H. 1962 Practicaf experience in the use of the Cap-Chur West Africa: 8 to 10 microgram per lb. etorphine gun. J. S. Afr. Yet. Med. Ass. 33 11): 87-91. hydrochloride 50 microgram per lb. hyoscine hy- + BIGALKE, R. C. drobromide 4 100 to 120 microgram per lb. triflu- 1965 Experiments in immobiiising ungulate animals. promazine. The narcotic effect of the etorphine hy- Zoologica Africana 1 (1): 239-247. drochloride is antagonised by the intravenous injec- HARTHOORN, A. M, tion of 20 to 30 rnicmgram/'lb. bodyweight cyprc- 1965 Application of pharmacological and physioIogica1 ngrphine hydrochloride. . principles in restraint of wild animals. Wildlife >lonographs No. 14. 8. Furthzr trials are to be conducted. HRRTHOORN, A. M. 1965 The value of neuroleptic narcosis, ZooI. Soc. of S. Afr. News BulIetin. 6 (2): 1-4. SUMMARY JARRETT. W. K. F., JENNWGS, F, W., MURRAY, M. and RARTHOORN, A. M. Capturing gernsbok {Oryx gnzelln gfl.?elltr). by immo- 1964 -Muscular dystrophy in wild Hunter's anteIope. bilising them with Etorphine hydrochloride (M-99) in E. Afr. Wild. L. J, 2: 158-159. con~binationwith other drugs is described and presented MURRAY. M. as a guide for future workers. 1967 The pathology of some diseases found in wild Of sixty-four gemsbk darted 75% were satisfactorily animals in East Africa. E. Afr. Wild L. J. 5: immobilised: 52% were immobiIised and captured in 3745. less than X5 minutes. SHORTRIDGE, G. C. The site of injection of the immobilising drugs is im- 1934 The mammals of South West Africa. William portant and has a direct relationship to effective and Heinemann. 2: 561. sapid immobilisation. Animals injected in the abdomen SURVEY OF RESTRAINT TECHNIQUES or near skeletal structures took n long time to become 1960 International Zoo Yearbook. 2: 320. immobilised and suffered from stress symptoms which often resulted in mortality. Mortality was low excepting PTEWAAR, U,de V., VAN NIEKERK J. W., YOUNG E.. in cases when the animals were chased for long distances VAN WYK P., FAXRALL N. or ran long distances because of poor absorbtion of thc 1966 Neuroleptic narcosis of Iarge wild herbivores in drugs. South African National Parks with the new The narcotic effect of etorphine hydrochloride was potent morphine analogues M-99 and M-183. successfully reversed by the antagonist drugs nalorphine J. S. Afr, vet med. Ass. 37 (3): 277-291. hydrobromide or cyprenorphine hydrochloride .( M-285). YOWNG. E. A preliminary dosage rate for etorphine hyclrochIoride, 1966 Muscle necrosis in captive red hartebeeste {AI- hyoscine hydrobromide and trifluprornazine is suggested celaphw~bbz~elnphusl. J. S. Afr, vet, m&. Assoc- for the immobilisation of gemsbok in South West Africa. 31: 101-103. TABLE 1.Imrnobilisatian of Omjx gazella with 2-2.5 mg. MS, 20-25 mg, hyoscine and 10-50 mg. Acetylpromazinr. Esti- mated Dart Mgg ,g- Hyoscine Immobilisation Temp. Recovery No. 'Ode Sex Or. 1 Site mg. h 'rime weight I 1 1 1 mg. 1. V l No- l lbs. 400 Hip 2.5 20 - 400 Hip 1 2.5 1 20 420 Flank 22 - 500 Hip 2.2 17 min. 450 Hip 2 -+ f 49 min. 9 min. 400 Hock 2 -- p 450 Thorxx 2 16 min. 75 5 min. 400 Thorax 2 12 min. 75 3rnin.20secr. 375 Hip 2 25 min. 75 4 min. 400 Hip 2 450 Shoulder 2 13 min. 50 + 140 2 min. 25 secs 500 Flank 2 29 min. 120 2 min. 20 secs

2.2 24 38 89 rniCm- 21 min. 105.1 5 secs. Average 56 micro- roD2 m, 4 min. I~i-arn/lb. gram/lb. I7Olb. mic- I Comment: At this dosage 58% Tmmobilisation. Two gemsbok immobilised under 15 minutes. E.15 was redarled with 1 milligram M99 and 10 milligram A.P. after 30 minutes.

TABLE 2. ImmobiIisation of Oryx gnrslln with 2.54 mx. M90, 25 mg. hyoscine and 500 mg. Largactil.

Esti- Lar- Dart Hyoscine Immobilisation Temp. Recovery No- Code Sex mated M99 mg. gaFtil No. weight Site mg. Time " F. I. V. mg. Time I bs. mg. 1 E.29 M 450 Thorax 2.5 25 500 c 30 min. 107 110 2 min. 2 - F 450 Sternum 2.5 25 500 - - 3 E.25 M 450 Thorax 3 25 500 39 min. 106 150 2 min. 10 secs. 4 E.26 F 450 Sternum 3 25 + 25 500 c 90 min. 106 100 2 min. 25 secs. 5 E.28 M 450 Hip 3 25 500 + 40 min. 106.5 130 2 min. 30 secs. 6 E.24 F 450 Hip 4 25 500 28 min. - 120 2 min. 40 secs. 7 E.27 M 450 Stifle 4 25 I 500 24 min. 107 100 45 secs.

U- 5U0 118 6.6 mic- - 1.1 mil- 1 450 )6 micro- 42 106.5 2 min+ 5 secs. Average r~g;;m/ ligram/ mm/lb. lb. lb. + = Longer than c = Caught with rope Comment : 86% Irnrnohiiised Long immobilisation times E.26: Excessive salivation - additional hyoscine injected IMMOBILISATION OF GEMSBOK 43

TABLE 3. Immobilisation of Oryx gflzelh with M99, hyoscine, Sernylan and Siquil. ' Esti- mated Dart mg, Hyoseine Sernyhn Siquii Temp. M 285 Recovery Sex weight M99 I;i"s,";- mg. No. No. Site mg. mg. mg. Time " F. I.V. Time l bs. l Code E.35 M 450 Shoulder 3 2. 30 min. 108.4 E.33 F 420 Abdomen 3 5 c. 40 min. 108.2 M 450 3 50 20 - 31- Hip - 1 g - K 475 Stifle 3 10 20 5 -- 5 - F 420 Lumbar 3 20 80 I - g E.40 M 430 Thorax 3 20 80 c. 41 min. 107.4 15 l min. 19 secs. 7 E.37 F 420 Withers 4 20 50 11rnin. 106 15 1 min. 30 sees. 8 E.31 M 430 -~ip- 4 20 50 L 12 min. 106.4 15 2 min. 13 sec. 9 E42 M 450 Hip 4 20 50 13 min. 105.4 15 3min. l 30 sec. 10 E.5 F 400 Shoulder 4 25 80 45 8min. 105 15 3min.

- 400 Flank L 11 F 4 25 100 1 30 l - 3.5 20 51 8.1 mic- 46.5 mic- 132.5 22 15 L b Average 430 32 106-7 35 micro- 2 min. secs. rogram/ rograml micro- sec. gram/lb. I Ib. lb. gram/lh. Comments: c = caught with rape 64% IrnmobiIised 57% Immobilised in under 15 minutes E.5: Destroyed because of Posterior paralysis

TABLE 4. Immobilisation of young Orgx grrreIIct females with 3 mg. M99 f- 20 mg. hyoscine + 20 mg. Acetyl- promazinc. Esti- Acetyl- Dart M99 mg, proma- 285 Sex mated Hyoscine Immobilisation Temp. M weight Site "X. zine Time " F. mg. l bs. mg. 20 20 7 min. 108 8 1.M. 20 20 13 qin. 3 N3 F 250 Hip 20 20 13 min. 4 - F 230 I Abdomen 20 20 -

3 20 20 Average 250 12 micro- SO micro- SO micro- I1 min. gram/lb. yrarnJlb. ~am/lb.

Comments: 75% Immobilised 100% JmrnobilisgrI in under 15 minutes AI1 these gernsbok died 2 to 3 days later as a result of myogIobinuria and heart faiIure due to stress from excessive chasing before injection of drugs. TABLE 5. ImmobiIisation of Oryx gaaena with 4 mg. M99, 20 mg. hyoscine and 50 (60) mg. Siquil. Esti- Code m?.ted Dart M99 mg. Hyoscine Siquil Immobilisation Temp. M285 X.V. Recovery No. Sex weight Site mg. m. Time 1 *F. mg. Time 117s. 1 E.4 M 450 Hip 4 20 50 12 min. 108.8 8 2 min. 2 E.19 F 430 Hip 4 25 50 12 min 30 secs. 110 15 1 min. 3 E.46 F 430 Hip 4 25 50 21 min. 30 secs. 108 15 1 min. 30 secs 4 E.47 F 280 Hip 4 30 50 13 min. 109 Leth 30 1 min. 30 sew M2S5/2.5 5 E.48 hl 475 Flip 4 33 50 15 min. 108 15 2 min. 6 F 380 Hip 4 29 50 - A 7 F 350 Abdomen 4 20 50 - S E.49 F 450 Hip 4 30 50 15 min. 30 sees. 108.9 15 1 min. 30 secs 9 E.50 F 320 Shoulfier 4 20 50 S min. 30 secs. 106.4 S ? 10 M 320 Humerus B 20 50 - - -- 11 E.51 F 450 Stifle 4 20 50 c 45 min. - 5 ? 12 E.52 F 375 Abdomen 4 20 50 c 44 min. 10 ..? 13 E.53 F 420 Abdomen 4 20 50 78 min. 110.4 5 14 E.54 F 350 Shoulder I 4 20 50 9 min. 33 secs. 105 8 1 min. 30 secs 15 E.55 F 400 ShouMer 4 20 50 10 min. 31) secs. 105.5 8 3 min. 25 secs 16 E.56 F 375 ScapuIa 4 20 50 29 min. 107.5 4 10 min. 17 F 350 Abdomen 4 20 50 A - - 18 E.57 F 425 Scapula 4 20 50 29 min. 45 secs. 107.2 S 2 min. 25 secs. 19 E.58 F 375 Upper 4 20 50 48 secs. 105 8 2 min. 20 secs neck 20 E.59 F 320 Witt~ers 4 20 50 8 min. 25 secs. 105.4 10 1 min. 30 secs. 21 E.GO F 380 Shoulder 4 20 50 l1 min. 30 secs. 107.2 10 1 min. 30 sec;. 22 E.64 F 350 Shoulder 4 20 50 7 min. 35 secs. 107.2 12.5 1 min. 30 secs. 23 E.65 F 350 Withers 4 20 50 9 min. 10 secs. 108 12.5 1 min. 30 secs. 24 E.66 F 380 Withers 4 20 50 9 min. 35 secs. 108.6 12.5 1 min. 30 secs. 25 E.67 M 450 Lower 4 20 50 12 min. 40 secs. 106.3 12.5 2 min. 20 secs. neck 26 E.68 F 420 Withera 4 20 50 14 min. 35 secs. 107 10 1 min. 20 secs. 27 F 400 Abdomen 4 20 50 - 28 E.69 F 420 Abdomen 4 20 50 29min. 20 secs. 107.8 W 1 min. 30 secs. 29 E.44 M 430 Lumbar 4 20 60 c 35 min. 108 15 1 min. 30 secs. 30 E.45 F 420 Elbow 4 20 60 I1 min. 107 15 2 min. 30 secs.

10.25 128 27.4 mfc- 52 micro- mic- Mean : 390 micro- rogmrn/ 19 min. 37 secs. I 107.5 rograrn/ 2 min. l0 secs. grarn/lb. mam'lb' lb. lb.

Comments: c = caught with rope 83% gemsbok immobilised. 64% immobilised under 15 minutes E.50, E.51 and E.52 translocated 40 miles and released in a holding pen. Small doses of antidote given. E.52 d~edas a result of spinal injury sustained while trying to escape from pen. E.53 died of heart faiIure due to excessive stress from long immobilisation time. IMMoBmXS*TION 01" GEHSBOK 45

TABLE 6. Summary of results: Grouped data of Tables 1 to 5.

g g &g

I W

Table 1 12 428 5.1 56 89 - -- 1 7 58 5 23 32 29% 1105.4 Table 2 7 4 1 150 1 6.6 56 - - 1.1 mg/lb - 6 86s42 - - 106.5 Table 3 11 6 5 430 8.1 46.5 - - 132.5 7 64 Sh 22.5 4 57% 106.: Table 4 4 - 4 250 12.0 80 80 - - 3 75 B I1 3 100% 107.6 Table 5 SO 5 25 / S90 10.25 52 -- 125 - L 25 83.3% 19.5 16 64% 107.5 Mmn 1 64 1 23 1 41 1 380 1 8.11 1 58 1 84.5 1 128 11.1 rng/lbl 132.5 l 48 175 7; [ 23.6 / 25 1 52% 1 106.1

TABLE 7. Antagonism of etorphine hydrochlaride: Recovery time.

Nalorphine hydrobromide Cyprenorphine hydrochloride Average Recovery Time microgram per lb. bodyweight microgram per lb. bodyweight

Table 1 4min. 5 secs. Table 2 2 min. 5 secs. Table 3 2 min. S secs. Table 4 1 min. 30 secs. Table 5 2 min. 10 secs.

Comments: Average Nalorphjne hydrobromide: 217.5 rnicmgrarn/lb. Recovery time: 3 min. 5 secs. Average Cyprenorphine hydrochloride: 32.8 rnicrogram/lb. Recovery time: 1 min. 56 secs.