getting up when approached and handled. However
in large kudu bulls and mature eland I do prefer adding
medetomidine. When slinging kudu bulls by helicopter
out of mountainous terrain, where recovery by ground
team and vehicle is not possible, I initially never used
medetomidine, as I was afraid of rumen fluid reflux
during the hanging. However, as the kudu sometime
kick if only Azeperone (80-100 mg) and opioid (13 mg)
is used, I later added medetomidine (5-10mg) as well,
with no complications. Whenever I use medetomidine
in the dart, I always reverse the medetomidine effect
with Yohimbine 6.25mg/ml at 1ml per 50 kg (6ml per
kudu) and often add 2 ml of antisedan as well once
procedure is finished, or the kudu is loaded in the truck.
I add ketamine to darts for most species with beneficial
effects. However, in kudu I have found this of little
use, as they seem to get even more excited with the
ketamine effect. In eland bulls high doses of ketamine
(200 up to 300 mg) in the dart have been effective.
Intravenous injection of 100-200 mg ketamine in kudu
as well as eland bulls (100 mg in cows, and 50 mg in
nyala) once down, but still alert, is effective to achieve
better muscle relaxation in my experience.
When longer acting tranquilisation is required I tend
to use Clopixol Acuphase (zuclopenthixol acetate) (75-
100mg / kudu) if animals were darted, or haloperidol
and oil-based perphenazine combinations (e.g. 20-
40 mg Haloperidol and 100-150 mg Perphenazine in
kudu).
I always vaccinate kudu and eland with Rabisin (2ml)
and treat routinely with Kyroligo, Biosolamine or
Metabolic and PeniLA.
Dosage table: Typical dosages I use for darting animals in fair to good condition from helicopter. (If darted
from the ground, in small camps or bomas, or animals are in poor condition I reduce dosages by 20% - 40%)
Species Opioid Azaperone Medetomidine
Kudu bull 13-15 mg Thianil or
8-10 mg Thianil plus 3-5 mg
Etorphine 100 mg or 50 mg
(if combined with
medetomidine) 10mg or 5mg (if combined
with azaperone)
Kudu cow 10-12 mg Thianil or
8 mg Thianil plus 4 mg
Etorphine 80 mg or 40 mg
(if combined with
medetomidine) 5-8 mg or 3-5 mg (if
combined with azaperone)
Kudu calf (3-6
months) 3-6 mg combined opioid 25-40 mg Eland bull 15-18 mg