Immobilizacja farmakologiczna żubrów

Białowieża National Park (BNP) takes care of free-ranging bison herds, as well as captive bison reserves. Bison, as a non-domestic animal, requires general immobilization for the purposes of diagnostic sample collection, thorough clinical examination, treatment, and preventive interventions. The paper presents the results of 110 successful immobilizations of European bison, performed between 2009 and 2013 in the Bison Breeding Centre of the BNP. Depending on the use of specific drugs and additional substances for premedication, such as xylazine, immobilized animals were divided into three groups. The preparations were administered with specialized pneumatic Dan-Inject applicators. Experience shows that the use of preparations containing etorphine is safe for both the patient and the personnel after the immobilization of the animal. Following a successful shot, the animal is immobilized within 15 minutes. General pharmacological immobilization is necessary for the efficient and safe performance of veterinary and animal husbandry manipulations, such as blood, swab, and tissue biopsy sampling.