Chemical Immobilization for Cheetahs
The iconic cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus) is one of the most highly-specialized and effective hunters in nature. As recently as 1900, it had a vast geographic range that spanned Africa, the Middle East and across Asia into the Indian subcontinent.1 During the 20th Century however, cheetahs have suffered a dramatic decline in both range and numbers. While the African cheetah still numbers over 15,000 individuals, the Asiatic cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus venaticus) has been pushed to the very brink of extinction. This subspecies is now thought only to exist in Asia, with a small, fragmented population thought to remain in Iran.
What Constitutes a Cheetah?
Although seven subspecies have been identified, five subspecies are considered valid by most taxonomists,2 namely:
Acinonyx jubatus venaticus – North African/Asiatic cheetah. This is smaller than the East African cheetah, with shorter legs, no mane on the nape of the neck or belly; small, widely spaced spots.
Acinonyx jubatus hecki – West African cheetah. This subspecies has a small body and a pale coat color.
Acinonyx jubatus soemmeringii – Central African cheetah. This has smaller, widely separated spots, spotted hind feet and a pale coat color.
Acinonyx jubatus raineyii – East African cheetah. This subspecies has longer hair, neck and belly hair, a pale coat color and fewer spots on its back.
Acinonyx jubatus jubatus – Southern African cheetah. This cheetah has a smaller body size and small, well-separated spots.
The population of the cheetah has declined by nearly 90% since 1900. At that time, the cheetah population was estimated at 100,000 individuals throughout Asia, India, Africa and the Middle East. Despite widespread distribution, cheetah populations have been greatly reduced. Over the past 60 years, cheetah have become extinct in over 13 countries.2
At present, small, fragmented populations of free-ranging cheetah inhabit a wide section of Africa, including North Africa, East and southern Africa. Based on the literature, the current cheetah population is estimated at less than 20,000 animals throughout their range, with a low estimate of 10,000 animals and an optimistic estimate of 15,000 animals. Cheetah can be found in 29 African and two Asiatic countries.2
Concern and Conservation
Faced with such rapid declines in cheetah populations, conservationists, researchers and veterinarians across the globe have committed to work together to formulate effective conservation strategies for the cheetah. Some of this research involves the invasive handling of cheetahs, whether to collect biomedical samples, radio-collar animals for future tracking, or to remove cheetahs from conflict situations.1
There are 38 species in the family Felidae and general agreement surrounding the taxonomy of the large felids, including cheetah. Regardless of size or taxonomy, all adult members of the family Felidae require chemical restraint for performing physical examinations, gathering samples or other requirements.
Due to changes and improvements in restraint techniques, equipment and immobilizing drugs, wildlife veterinary practices have improved in recent decades. This progress, combined with the experience of practitioners contributes towards a safer practice for both the animals and humans involved in procedures.
Cheetahs are relatively social animals; as such, they often live in groups (e.g., a mother with cubs, young adult littermates or groups of adult males. If one cheetah is captured for short-term study (as opposed to brief study or treatment and release), it is essential that the entire social group is trapped at the same time. Otherwise, cubs still dependent on their mother may starve, or members of a group that remain free may struggle to hunt after losing a group member. In such cases, the group may resort to taking livestock.2
Drugs Used for the Immobilization of Cheetah
If the animal to be immobilized is already in a well-managed captive situation, then it should be fasted for at 24 to 48 hours, and have no water for the two hours prior to the administration of the capture drugs.2 Water should never be restricted in situations where the animal is likely to dehydrate rapidly.
There are numerous agents that have been used, alone and in combination, to immobilize cheetah. For many years, the drug of choice for immobilizing cheetahs has been Telazol, a 1:1 combination of tiletamine hydrochloride and Zolazepam.3 Telazol has a wide safety margin, so a degree of overdose can be tolerated without severe effects. This is particularly important when dealing with wild cheetah, since the dose given depends on body weight, which must be estimated in advance, often without a close examination of the animal in being immobilized. Captive cheetah have also been immobilized for study and minor procedures using combinations of medetomidine-ketamine, midazolam-ketamine and medetomidine-tiletamine-zolazepam, although there is no data currently available on these combinations being used in the field.3
More recently, the BAM™ formulation has been studied in both captive and free-ranging cheetahs. BAM™ is a unique and safe anesthesia combination of Butorphanol tartrate, Azaperone tartrate and Medetomidine hydrochloride. In recent years, it has been used to immobilize a broad range of wildlife species, and is gaining in popularity in this regard. These three pharmaceuticals synergize to bring the best attributes of each at the lowest effective dose rate.3 BAM™ is reported to provide smooth induction times that are equal to or shorter than Telazol/Xylazine, as well as quick reversal times.
This formulation with subsequent antagonism by naltrexone-atipamezole was evaluated for reversible immobilization of captive cheetahs by Semjonov et. al. in the Republic of South Africa in 2019. The inductions were calm and smooth, with a mean induction time of approximately four minutes. Recovery time after reversing with naltrexone and atipamezole was approximately nine minutes. Overall, BAM™ proved to be a reliable and stable drug combination for the immobilization of cheetahs.
1Patrick J. Morris, P. Chemical Immobilization of Felids, Ursids, and Small Ungulates. Veterinary Clinics of North America: Exotic Animal Practice, Volume 4, Issue 1, 2001, p. 267-298.
2Smithers, R. H. N. (1971) The Mammals of Africa (J. Meester and H. Setzer). Smithsonian Institution Press, Washington, D.C.
3Ferreira, B. A Short Review of the Chemical Immobilization Principles in Some Common African Wildlife Species. (2016) Dissertação de mestrado. Universidade de Lisboa, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária, Lisboa.
4Semjonov, A., et. al. Evaluation of butorphanol-azaperone-medetomidine in captive cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus) immobilization. Veterinary Anaesthesia and Analgesia, Volume 46, Issue 1, 2019, p. 90-95.
About NexGen Pharmaceuticals
NexGen Pharmaceuticals is an industry-leading veterinary compounding pharmacy, offering sterile and non-sterile compounding services nationwide. Unlike other veterinary compounding pharmacies, NexGen focuses on drugs that are difficult to find or are no longer available due to manufacturer discontinuance or have yet to be offered commercially for veterinary applications, but which still serve a critical need for our customers. We also specialize in wildlife pharmaceuticals, including sedatives and their antagonists, offering many unique options to serve a wide array of zoo animal and wildlife immobilization and anesthesia requirements.
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