Aretrospective study on the immmobilisation of captive tiger(Panthera tigris tigris) at the Uganda wildlife Conservation Centre Education Conservation area

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to analyze records of two tiger cubs immobilized with ketamine- medetomidine (KM) during annual health checks on April 6, 2024, at Uganda Wildlife Conservation Education Center Conservation Area (UWEC-CA). These checks took place within the holding enclosures of the Bengal tigers to evaluate the physiological responses and duration associated with the anesthetic protocol, aiming to assess its safety and effectiveness. Records showed that the initial dose for each cub was estimated at 2-3 mg/kg ketamine plus 0. 01-0. 02 mg/kg medetomidine, administered intramuscularly. When necessary, additional intramuscular top-ups of 0.3-3mg/kg ketamine plus 0.01 mg/kg medetomidine were given to maintain anesthesia depth. Vital signs and body responses were monitored starting when the Bengal tiger cubs were under anesthesia until recovery. Both animals were positioned in lateral recumbency. Physiological parameters measured included rectal temperature (38.65 ± 1.443 °C), pulse rate (92 ± 18.242 bpm), respiration rate (30.5 ± 15.773 breaths per minute), and capillary refill time (1.67 ± 0.41 seconds). The cubs were induced in approximately 9.5 ± 0.5 minutes, maintained under anesthesia for about 35.5 ± 4.5 minutes, and reversal was achieved with atipamezole (0.03 mg/kg), administered at five times the dose of medetomidine. Recovery was characterized by the cubs attempting to stand after approximately 19.5 ± 7.5 minutes. The study demonstrated that the KM protocol effectively induced anesthesia while maintaining physiological parameters within acceptable ranges, despite some individual differences. Physiological responses observed, such as mild hypothermia, bradycardia, and respiratory depression, aligned with the known pharmacodynamics of the drugs used. In the female cub, stress appeared to influence the effectiveness of the protocol. Both cubs recovered successfully without complications, indicating the safety of the protocol when administered properly. The average duration of the health check was approximately 64.5 ± 2.4 minutes. The ketamine- medetomidine protocol was found to be a suitable choice for chemical immobilization, offering smooth induction and recovery with no complications during or after the procedure. This study underscores the importance of individualized anesthetic planning, continuous physiological monitoring, and role specialization in tiger anesthesia management. Future studies at UWEC-CA will enhance tiger anesthesia protocols, boosting safety, care, and conservation efforts.