Field immobilization of Tigers (Panthera tigris) using a combination of medetomidine and ketamine

Panna National Park, India

Pradeep K. Malik

Study Area

Panna National Park

• 543 km2

• Central India

• Miscellaneous dry deciduous forest

• Interspersed with grasslands

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

Tele Injection

• Location on kills

• Estimation of body weight/age/sex

• Distance 15-35 meters

Drugs & Dosages

• Medetomidine

50-60 microgram/kg

• Ketamine

1-2 milligram/kg

• HBM

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

Induction Time

1st sign of sedation 3-5 minutes

Recumbency 8-11 minutes

Field Procedures

• Radio collaring

• Body measurements & weight

• Monitoring of anesthesia

• Blood collection

Reversal & Recovery

• Atipamezole

i.m 3-4 times the medetomidine dose

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

Monitoring

• 72 hours

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

Acknowledgements

• Madhya Pradesh Forest Department

• Wildlife Institute of India

• Global Tiger Patrol

• National Fish & Wildlife Foundation

• US Fish & Wildlife Service

• Wildlife Conservation Society