Keywords
Ketamine Hydrochloride
Xylazine Hydrochloride
Restraint
Yohimbine
Drug Dosage.
How to Cite
Abstract
Four leopards (Panthera pardus fusca (Meyer 1794)) were tranquilised as part of a leopard ecology project at Maharashtra, India, to develop a database from which conservation plans could be developed to manage human leopard conflict. A mixture of Ketamine hydrochloride and Xylazine hydrochloride, at a dose rate of 5 mg and 1.5 mg per kg respectively, were used to tranquilise the leopards for radio collaring. Vectronics GPS plus collars were fitted on the animals. Overall, induction time was within 3-6 minutes, down time 6-15 minutes, lateral recumbency 65-90 minutes, and recovery time was 70-100 minutes when antidote was not used. Yohimbine was used in 2 cases at the rate of 0.14-0.17 mg/ kg body, after which the recovery time was reduced to 35-55 minutes. Temperature, respiration, and heart rate were normal during the procedure. Microchip was fitted for permanent tagging of the leopards. We found that the Ketamine-Xylazine anaesthesia for immobilisation was effective and that Yohimbine can be used to hasten recovery from anaesthesia in leopards. Further studies using more leopards may prove helpful and important in determining better drug dosage and handling methods.References
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