Chemical immobilization of European wild badgers (Meles meles)

Abstract

Two different drug combinations were used to immobilize 34 adult free-ranging badgers (Me/es me/es) at Dañana National Park (Spain). A combination of xylazine hydrochloride-ketamine hydrochloride was used on 26 badgers (11 males and 15 remales) and a combination oftilelamine hydrochloride-zolazepam hydrochloride (ZOLETIL) was used on 8 (4 males and 4 remates). Mean xylazine hydrochloride doses were 5,6 mg/kg and 6,5 mg/kg for males and females. respectively. Mean ketamine hydrochloride doses were 15,4 mg/kg and 16,2 mg/kg for males and females, respectively. Mean ZOLETIL doses were 9,83 mg/kg and 9,79 mg/kg for males and females, respectively. These doses provided a handling time of 40 to 50 min. Althrough both drug combinations provided acceptable results, we preferred ZOLETIL because of lts shorter induction times and non depresant effects on heart and respiration rates. Recommended doses for wild adult badgers of unknown weight are: 40 mg of xylazine hydrochloride and 100 mg of ketamine hydrochloride when using this combination. Recommended ZOLETIL doses are 60mg.