Reversible Immobilization of Free-ranging African Lions (Panthera leo) with Medetomidine-tiletamine-zolazepam and Atipamezole
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Journal of Wildlife Diseases, 42(2), 2006, pp. 432–436
# Wildlife Disease Association 2006
Reversible Immobilization of Free-ranging African Lions (Panthera
leo) with Medetomidine-tiletamine-zolazepam and Atipamezole
Magali Jacquier,1,6,7 Per Aarhaug,1 Jon M. Arnemo,2,3 Hans Bauer,4 and Brigitte Enriquez5 1 Elephant
Camp, BP 450 Garoua, Cameroon; 2 Section of Arctic Veterinary Medicine, Department of Food Safety and
Infection Biology, Norwegian School of Veterinary Science, PO Box 6204, NO-9292 Tromsø, Norway;
3
Department of Forestry and Wilderness Management, Hedmark University College, NO-2480 Koppang,
Norway; 4 Institute of Environmental Sciences, Leiden University, PO Box 9518, Leiden, The Netherlands;
5
Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, National Veterinary School of Maisons-Alfort, 7 Avenue du
Général de Gaulle, 94700 Maisons-Alfort, France; 6 Current address: MZT, PO Box 3863, Bulawayo, Zimbabwe;
7
Corresponding author (email: magvet@aol.com)
ABSTRACT: A combination of medetomidine- pam has been the drug combination of
tiletamine-zolazepam was used to conduct six choice for immobilization (Kreeger et al.,
immobilizations of free-ranging lions (Panthera 2002). This combination has a wide safety
leo) in Waza National Park, Cameroon, during
1999 and 2000. Drugs were administered by margin and few cardiopulmonary or ther-
dart injection at 0.0760.01 (mean6SD) mg/kg moregulatory side effects, but as a result
of medetomidine and 1.860.5 mg/kg of of the long elimination half-life of tileta-
tiletamine-zolazepam. Chemical immobiliza- mine and the lack of an antagonist,
tion was characterized by smooth inductions
recoveries are often prolonged. In combi-
(14.166 min), satisfactory analgesia, and mus-
cle relaxation. One animal was treated for nation with medetomidine, however, the
bradypnea. No major alterations of physiologic effective dose of tiletamine-zolazepam can
parameters (heart and respiratory rates, rectal be reduced by as much as 75% in several
temperature) were seen during immobilization species (Cattet et al., 1999; Caulkett et al.,
in the other lions. Relative arterial oxygen
saturation was measured in two animals and
1999; Kreeger et al., 2002) and the
revealed mild hypoxemia. The animals received recovery time thereby significantly short-
atipamezole at 0.360.1 mg/kg intramuscularly ened by antagonizing the effects of
for reversal of anesthesia. Recoveries were medetomidine with atipamezole. Here,
uneventful. All animals were radiocollared, we present data from the successful use
and no mortalities occurred during an 18-mo
follow-up period. Use of medetomidine-tileta- of medetomidine-tiletamine-zolazepam
mine-zolazepam for anesthesia and reversal of and atipamezole for reversible immobili-
anesthesia with atipamezole appear to be useful zation of free-ranging lions.
for reversible immobilization of free-ranging Six immobilizations were carried out on
lions. five lions in Waza National Park, Camer-
Key words: Anesthesia, atipamezole, im-
mobilization, lion, medetomidine, Panthera oon (10u509–11u409N, 14u209–15u009E)
leo, tiletamine, zolazepam. during the dry seasons of 1999 and
2000 as part of a current study on
Ideally, drugs used for the capture of behavioral ecology. These included two
free-ranging animals should rapidly in- males (lions 1 and 2; age, 6–12 yr;
duce reliable and reversible immobiliza- estimated body weight, 150–180 kg) and
tion. Various drugs and drug combinations three females (lions 3, 4, and 6; age, 5–
have been used for immobilization of 7 yr; estimated body weight, 90–150 kg).
free-ranging lions (Panthera leo), includ- Lion 2 was immobilized a second time as
ing phencyclidine (Melton et al., 1987), lion 5. Animals were immobilized with
ketamine-xylazine (Herbst et al., 1985; a mixture of medetomidine (10 mg/ml;
Stander and Morkel, 1991), tiletamine- ZalopineH, Orion Pharma Animal Health,
zolazepam (King et al., 1977; Stander and Turku, Finland) and tiletamine-zolazepam
Morkel, 1991), and medetomidine-keta- (500 mg dry substance; ZolétilH, Virbac
mine (Quandt, 1992; Bengis and Keet, SA, Carros, France). Standard doses of
2000). In large felids, tiletamine-zolaze- from 8 mg to 10 mg of medetomidine and
432SHORT COMMUNICATIONS 433 from 200 mg to 250 mg of tiletamine- a portable scale and sling for calculation of zolazepam were administrated to males, actual drug doses per kilogram of body and doses of from 5 mg to 10 mg of mass. At the end of the procedure, medetomidine and from 125 mg to atipamezole (5 mg/ml; AntisedanH, Orion 250 mg of tiletamine-zolazepam were Pharma Animal Health) was admini- given to females. The drugs were admin- stered intramuscularly in the thigh at the istered into the muscles of the hind limb following atipamezole : medetomidine using a CO2-powered dart gun (Dan- (mg : mg) dose ratios: lion 1, 3.3; lions 2 InjectH ApS, Børkop, Denmark) and and 3, 2.5; lion 4, 2.1; lion 5, 5.0; and lion 1.5 ml plastic air-pressurized darts with 6, 5.8. Animals were observed until full 2330-mm collared needles (Dan-InjectH). recovery was evident (i.e., no residual drug Lions were darted during daylight hours effects and coordinated walking). from a car at a range of from 12 m to 20 m The first four immobilized lions were in (Yardage ProH 500, Bushnell Corporation, good health. Lion 5 was immobilized for Overland Park, Kansas, USA). Lengths of inspection of a wound on the right front leg, procedures were recorded from the time and lion 6 was immobilized for health of darting until full recovery. assessment because of poor body condition. After complete immobilization was evi- The body mass was 120633 (80–165) kg dent, with no signs of spontaneous move- (mean6SD [range]). Calculated drug doses ment, the lions were shaded and kept in were 0.0760.01 (0.05–0.10) mg/kg of me- lateral recumbency. Ophthalmic ointment detomidine and 1.8 60.5 (1.3–2.7) mg/kg of (Aureomycine SpeciaH 1%, Rhône-Pou- tiletamine-zolazepam. Three lions required lenc-Rorer, Paris, France) and a blindfold additional drugs, which were injected in- were applied. Each lion was clinically tramuscularly during the immobilization: examined. Heart rate was determined by Lion 1 received 1.20 mg of medetomidine stethoscopic chest auscultation in lions 1 and 62.5 mg of tiletamine-zolazepam, lion 4 through 4 and by pulse oximetry in lions 5 received 0.85 mg of medetomidine and and 6 (NellcorH N-20P, Nellcor Inc., 20.5 mg of tiletamine-zolazepam because Pleasanton, California, USA) with the of suboptimal placement of the dart, and sensor (VetSatH, Nellcor) attached to the lion 6 received 0.90 mg of medetomidine tongue. Respiratory rate was determined and 23.0 mg of tiletamine-zolazepam be- by observing thoracic movements. Rectal cause of a prolonged procedure. Atipame- temperature was measured with a digital zole was administered at the dose of thermometer (Cooper, Melun, France). 0.360.1 (0.1–0.5) mg/kg. Assessment of the depth of immobilization Flight distances after darting were less was based on signs of spontaneous move- than 290 m. Induction time (i.e., time ment; muscle relaxation was determined from darting until recumbency) was subjectively on the basis of lack of muscle 14.166.0 (6.6–22.2) min. Because of tone in limbs. Because of the high ambient dense vegetation, lion 1 was found temperatures (up to 46 C), the animals 18.8 min after darting (recorded as in- were frequently sprayed with water. duction time). For lion 3, the induction Lions were radiocollared with VHF time could not be recorded precisely but transmitters (TelonicsH, Arizona, USA). was less than 8.0 min. The signs of the Blood and tissue samples were collected drug effect generally occurred in the for genetic, biochemical, and serologic following order: tail down, ataxia, sitting analyses. Dart wounds were treated, and down, and then recumbency. prophylactic, long-acting antibiotics were Inductions were smooth, and all lions administered intramuscularly (Oxytétracy- became completely immobilized. Analge- clineH 10%, Vetoquinol SA, Lure, sia (assessed by pinching of the skin) and France). Each lion was weighed using muscle relaxation were adequate and
434 JOURNAL OF WILDLIFE DISEASES, VOL. 42, NO. 2, APRIL 2006 allowed minor surgical procedures, such for wild lions (McKenzie and Burroughs, as treatment of a superficial bullet wound 1993; Kreeger et al., 2002). When used in for lion 5. Handling time (i.e., time from combination with medetomidine, the darting to administration of atipamezole) mean effective dose of tiletamine-zolaze- was 53.8618.4 (34.0–55.5) min, and time pam in the present study could be re- from administration of atipamezole until duced to 1.8 mg/kg. the animal was standing was 134.76133.1 Induction times were similar or shorter (14.6–338.8) min. Signs of recovery than those reported for other drug combi- started with palpebral movements; move- nations in lions. Depending on dose, ment of ears, head, limbs; and finally, xylazine-ketamine combinations allowed attempts to sit and stand. Recoveries were lions to be handled after 6 to 92 min smooth, and no signs of overalertness, (Herbst et al., 1985; Stander and Morkel, muscle rigidity, incoordination, or vomit- 1991), and medetomidine-ketamine com- ing were observed. Time from standing bination allowed lions to be handled after until the animal was able to walk in 3.5 to 10 min (Quandt, 1992). Recovery a coordinated manner was 88.7679.0 was extended for the first three animals in (13.0–206.2) min. our study (lions 1–3, 232.36122.6 [98.3– Physiologic data were collected at 5-min 338.8] min; lions 4–6, 37.0625.3 [14.6– intervals. Heart rates recorded at 5, 20, and 64.5] min). This probably resulted from 30 min after approaching the immobilized higher doses of tiletamine-zolazepam animal were 57613 (35–68), 56618 (33– (lions 1–3, 2.160.5 [1.7–2.7] mg/kg; lions 72), and 54616 (31–68) beats/min, re- 4–6, 1.660.4 [1.3–2.0] mg/kg) and lower spectively, and respiratory rates were 1862 doses of atipamezole (lions 1–3, 0.260.05 (16–20), 1663 (12–20), and 1862 (16–20) [0.2–0.3] mg/kg; lions 4–6, 0.360.2 [0.1– breaths/min, respectively. Rectal tempera- 0.5] mg/kg). We believe that the dose of ture was 38.161.5 (35.8–39.8) C, 38.461.4 atipamezole should be at least 5.0 mg per (36.3–40.2) C, and 38.061.4 (35.7–39.3) C milligram of medetomidine in lions given at 5, 20, and 30 min, respectively. Capillary the drug combination used in this study. refill times were less than 2 sec, and This is the dose ratio used by Quandt mucous membrane color was normal. Side (1992) in lions immobilized with medeto- effects were observed in lion 3, which had midine-ketamine; however, additional im- a respiratory rate as low as 9 breaths/min at mobilizations are needed to better define 25 min after darting; this individual was the appropriate dose of atipamezole for treated with 5 mg of epinephrine intra- the drug combination used in the present muscularly (1.0 mg/ml; AdrenalineH, Ny- study. Intramuscular injection of the comed Pharma AS, Oslo, Norway). Relative antagonist seemed to be appropriate in arterial oxygen saturations for lions 5 and 6 our study, and no signs of resedation were were, respectively, 94% and 96% after observed. Quandt (1992) reported that 5 min, 87% and 92% after 20 min, and lions immobilized with medetomidine- 89% and 91% after 30 min. Lions were ketamine frequently recovered without radiotracked, and on the day following showing any signs of arousal before getting immobilization, all were observed to have up. Such spontaneous recoveries, which resumed normal activities. All animals under field conditions can be extremely survived for at least 18 mo (Bauer, 2003). dangerous for people handling the ani- In this study, medetomidine-tiletamine- mals, were not seen during the present zolazepam was a safe and effective immo- study. bilization combination for four of five free- Physiologic parameters recorded in our ranging African lions. When used alone, study were similar to values reported in the recommended doses of tiletamine- other studies (Quandt, 1992; Tomizawa, zolazepam are between 4 and 5 mg/kg 1997), with the exception of the study by
SHORT COMMUNICATIONS 435
King et al. (1977), in which lions immo- shortened by administration of atipame-
bilized with tiletamine-zolazepam had zole. The sample size of the present study
higher heart rates (88 [64–120] beats/ is small, however, and further studies
min). Respiratory rates can be influenced should be performed to characterize fully
by a variety of factors, including ambient the efficacy and safety of this drug
temperature, body temperature, and combination and the appropriate dose of
drugs. In our study, respiratory rates antagonist in free-ranging lions.
dropped by as much as 60% to 85% We are very grateful to the Cameroonian
during immobilization compared to re- Authorities and, in particular, to the
ported reference ranges of between 40 Ministry of Science, Ministry of Environ-
and 120 breaths/min in conscious animals ment and Forests, and Ministry of Health.
resting in the shade (King et al., 1977). In We thank the Center for Environmental
the present study, rectal temperatures and Development studies in Cameroon,
remained stable during immobilization, the University of Dschang, and in particu-
which is contrary to lions immobilized lar, the staff of the Waza National Park, Ray
with medetomidine-ketamine, in which Research Center, and Elephant Camp for
body temperature decreased gradually by their assistance and moral support. We
0.9 C to 2.2 C in five individuals (Tomi- thank the Norwegian Health Authorities
zawa et al., 1997). Mild, transitory hypox- and Valerie Pernelle for formal and prac-
emia was detected in the two animals tical help. Finally, we thank Virbac for
monitored with pulse oximetry. Hypox- providing the ZolétilH used in this study.
emia also occurred in cheetahs (Acinonyx
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