Some zoological societies, universities and other organizations offer education in safe capture chemical immobilization techniques for those who are interested in careers in veterinary medicine, wildlife management, biology, zoology, animal control and related disciplines.
The San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance (SDZWA) currently offers courses covering the principles of the chemical immobilization of wildlife. In the comprehensive array of courses, instructors teach participants the fundamentals of such topics as capture and chemical immobilization, drug delivery systems, patient monitoring, safe capture techniques, patient monitoring, medical emergencies and pharmacology.
One such course is Chemical Immobilization Pharmacology: Pharmacology and Drug Classes. This course provides a foundation to ensure that animals in a zoo, free-ranging, managed care, domestic or other wildlife setting can be immobilized in a safe and humane way.
Upon completion of the course, attendees are able to:
- List the basic characteristics of an “ideal” immobilization drug
- Identify and describe the components of each of those characteristics
- Describe the broad categories of chemical immobilization drugs based on their site of action
- Identify and describe the regulatory classification of chemical immobilization drugs in the USA
While there is no ideal single drug for the chemical immobilization of all wildlife species, the best drugs and/or combinations have a number of primary characteristics:
1. Suitable in all species – Since there are major anatomical and physiological differences between animals in different taxon groups, there are significant differences in how different animals respond to various chemical immobilization drugs.
2. Predictable action with a wide margin of safety –Predictable action means that the time intervals of the drug to induce anesthesia are always similar. The margin of safety is defined as the ratio between the lethal dose of the medication and the effective dose of the medication.
3. Rapid onset of disorientation and immobilization – So that animals are immobilized while inflicting the least amount of stress and least risk of injury or escape, it is desirable to use a drug that affects the animal rapidly.
4. Easily concentrated and potent in small volumes –In general, 5 ml is accepted as the maximum practical volume for a chemical immobilization drug, with 2 ml or less considered "ideal."
5. Produces sedation and analgesia – An "ideal" immobilization drug would produce both sedation and analgesia (pain relief). Some chemical immobilization drugs produce both sedation and analgesia, however, many drugs do not possess both properties.
6. Produces no side effects – An "ideal" drug would have minimal or no side effects, however, very few drugs carry no side effects. Some drugs produce immobilization, but may also cause minimal to moderate side effects (e.g., salivation, seizures).
7. Controllable duration of action - The safest chemical immobilization drugs are those with effects that can be turned on or off at any time during a capture operation. Some drugs, called antagonists, reverse the action(s) of the chemical immobilization drug; these are also called reversal agents.
Other characteristics that are preferred in chemical immobilization drugs include a lack of potential for recycling or renarcotization, retention of potency under field conditions, economy of use, minimal regulatory issues and few (or no) human safety hazards. An online preview of Chemical Immobilization Pharmacology: Pharmacology and Drug Classes is available at sdzwaacademy.org.
Interested in learning more about safe capture? The San Diego Zoo offers courses in safe capture techniques and best practices. Learn reliable, safe, and effective techniques for the species you work with and the scenarios you encounter!
