CHEMICAL IMMOBILIZATION OF WILD BADGERS (MELES-MELES)

Two different drug combinations were used to immobilize 34 adult free- ranging badgers (Meles meles) at Donana National Park (Spain). A combi nation Of xylazine hydrochloride-ketamine hydrochloride was used on 26 badgers (11 males and 15 females) and a combination of tiletamine hyd rochloride-zolazepam hydrochloride (ZOLETIL) was used on 8 (4 males an d 4 females). Mean xylazine hydrochloride doses were 5,6 mg/kg and 6,5 mg/kg for males and females, respectively. Mean ketamine hydrochlorid e doses were 15,4 mg/kg and 16,2 mg/kg for males and females, respecti vely. 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 5 0 min. Althrough both drug combinations provided acceptable results, w e preferred ZOLETIL because of its shorter induction times and non dep resant effects on heart and respiration rates. Recommended doses for w ild adult badgers of unknown weight are : 40 mg of xylazine hydrochlor ide and 100 mg of ketamine hydrochloride when using this combination. Recommended ZOLETIL doses are 60 mg.