kg). The inductions were calm and smooth and
mean induction time was 4.0±1.1 minutes. Heart
rate (mean: 50±9 beats minute-1) and respiratory
frequency (mean: 20±3 breaths minute-1) were stable
throughout immobilization. Hypertension (mean
arterial blood pressure: 167±19 mmHg) was noted
in most of the animals - this has been reported by
a number of authors in cheetah immobilized with
different drug protocols and may be a physiological
characteristic of this species. The mean recovery time
after reversing with naltrexone and atipamezole was
9.1±3.6 minutes.
Giraffe: The Bamanil volume dose rate ranged from
4-6 ml per animal for sub-adult giraffes. The mean
induction time to recumbency was 12 minutes. No
apnoea was observed in any of the giraffe. The mean
heart rate was 37±14.3 beats minute-1 and mean
respiratory frequency was 64±10.4 breaths minute-1.
Blood pressure increased over time (mean arterial
pressure: 143±43.5 mmHg). Time to full recovery was 5
minutes from injection of reversals. No adverse effects
or re-narcotizations were observed after recovery. No
mortalities during anesthesia were observed in this
study. Giraffes were intubated, head elevated and the
neck received massage during immobilization in this
study.
In trained African elephants: The body weight of the
animals was estimated based on shoulder height
and ranged from 1100-4000kg. The Bamanil volume
dose rate used for the standing sedation of 14 African
elephants ranged from 0.0006-0.0008 ml/k (mean:
0.0007 ml/kg). First signs of sedation were noted
at 6.1±2.9 minutes after darting. Signs of sedation
were observed as drooping ears, relaxation of the
trunk with the tip resting on the ground and
prolapse of the penis in bulls. Animals were
approached after 17-20 minutes after
darting. The mean overall heart
rate was 39.6±6.5 beats
minute-1, respiratory
frequency was
6.1±1.7
breaths
minute-1
and
mean arterial pressure
was 98.3±16.2
mmHg. Time to
first signs of
recovery was
observed
at 2.5±1
minutes after
reversal. Animals
didn’t react to painful
stimuli such as micro-
chipping, wound treatment
and vaccination.
Conclusion
The Bamanil combination proved
to be a reliable and reversible
veterinary anaesthetic for the
immobilization of lions, cheetahs,
blesbok, giraffes and for the
standing sedation of trained African
elephants.
Acknowledgements
We would like to give special thanks to Dr Peter
Rogers, Mrs Adine Roode, the Hoedspruit Endangered
Species Centre (HESC), Camp Jabulani and Moholoholo
Rehabilitation Centre as well as all the staff at these
facilities. Without your assistance, effort and support,
this study would not have been possible.
1Institute of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sci-
ences, tonian University of Life Sciences, Estonia
2Wildlifevets.com, Ngongoni, Mpumalanga, South Africa
3Wildlife Pharmaceuticals South Africa (Pty)
Ltd., White River, South Africa
4 Department of Animal Science, Univer-
sity of Stellenbosch, South Africa
2018
MAY
13