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Field immobilization of Tigers (Panthera tigris) using a combination of medetomidine and ketamine
Panna National Park, India
Pradeep K. Malik
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Study Area
Panna National Park
• 543 km2
• Central India
• Miscellaneous dry deciduous forest
• Interspersed with grasslands
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Planning & Resources
• Survey of study area
• Training of field assistants in field craft
• Elephants/vehicles/equipment
• Time/area/terrain/recovery conditions
• Biologists/vets/anesthetist
• Natural kills/baits
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Tele Injection
• Location on kills
• Estimation of body weight/age/sex
• Distance 15-35 meters
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Drugs & Dosages
• Medetomidine
50-60 microgram/kg
• Ketamine
1-2 milligram/kg
• HBM
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Tiger (age & sex)
Date of field operation
Estimated weight (kg)
Distance (meters)
Medetomidine Ketamine Induction time (minutes)
Duration of procedure (minutes)
Atipamezole Reversal time (minutes)
Female (sub adult)
9/4/96 90-100 (52*)
25 6 mg 150 mg 9 25 20 mg 11
Male (adult)
11/4/96 220-250 (240*)
30 12 mg 170 mg 8 40 30 mg 10
26/11/97 250 35 12 mg 180 mg 11 70 25 mg 14
Female (adult)
27/1/97 120-130 (120*)
25 7.5 mg 200 mg 9 30 20 mg 10
26/1/01 30 10 mg 200 mg 8 25 35 9.5
10/1/02 20 10 mg 200 mg 9 35 35 12
Female (adult)
26/3/98 Caught in bear leg hold trap. Immobilized with xylazine and ketamine. No data available
22/12/02 130 (108*) 25 2.5 ml HBM (312 mg xylazine 250 mg ketamine
16 25 25 mg 13
Female (adult)
7/1/99 140 (115*) 25 8.5 mg 200 mg 11 20 30 mg 9
27/10/01 120 20 7.5 mg 200 mg 9 18 25 mg 11
Female (adult)
21/12/00 130 30 8 mg 150 mg 11 27 30 10
Male (adult)
12/1/02 250 35 12.5 mg 150 7 30 35 14
Data on drug/dosages and character of 11 immobilizations
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Induction Time
1st sign of sedation 3-5 minutes
Recumbency 8-11 minutes
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Field Procedures
• Radio collaring
• Body measurements & weight
• Monitoring of anesthesia
• Blood collection
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Reversal & Recovery
• Atipamezole
i.m 3-4 times the medetomidine dose
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Recovery times* in free ranging tigers after medetomidine-ketamine immobilization and reversal with Atipamezole
Recovery Minutes
1st sign of recovery 5-6 minutes
Heal up & sternal 8 minutes
Standing 10-12 minutes
Walking 14-15 minutes
* Time after administration of atipamezole
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Monitoring
• 72 hours
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Summary
It is possible to use a dose of
• 10-12 mg of medetomidine
• 150-200 mg ketamine
for anesthesia of an adult male or female free ranging tiger
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Acknowledgements
• Madhya Pradesh Forest Department
• Wildlife Institute of India
• Global Tiger Patrol
• National Fish & Wildlife Foundation
• US Fish & Wildlife Service
• Wildlife Conservation Society