Twenty-three (9 male, 14 female) wild horses (Equus caballus) in the Great Basin Desert were immobilized by ground techniques with succinylcholine chloride during 1,950 person-hr. Induction (x̄ = 2.09 ± 0.59 min) and recovery (x̄ = 12.4 ± 5.0 min) were rapid and most animals were returned in less than 10 min to original bands. Dosages ranged from 0.66–0.77 mg/kg body weight and neither abortions nor band changes in group membership resulted. However, a few concerted efforts up to 24 hr were needed to return some animals to original bands and three non-drug related mortalities occurred. The responses of bands to darted members and the overall influence of the operation on reproduction, movements, and social structure are presented.

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Author notes

1

Conservation and Research Center, National Zoological Park, Smithsonian Institution, Front Roval, Virginia 22630, USA

2

Animal Resource Services, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, California 95616, USA

3

Division of Environmental Studies, University of California, Davis, California 95616, USA

© Wildlife Disease Association 1983
1983