Experience with drugs for capture and restraint of wildebeest, impala, eland and hartebeest in Kenya.

Abstract

Two hundred and sixteen wildebeest (Connochaetes taurinus), 111 impala (Aepyceros melampus), 39 eland (Taurotragus oryx) and 9 hartebeest (Alcelaphlus buselaphus cokii) were drug-immobilized for capture or for handling in captivity. Drugs used for capture were combinations of xylazine, etorphine and acepromazine, or xylazine and fentanyl, with or without the addition of azaperone. For restraint in captivity, xylazine alone proved to be satisfactory in most instances. Drugs were injected with projectile syringes. Recommendation on dosage are given.