ISOFLURANE ANESTHESIA IN FREE-RANGING SEA LION PUPS

California sea lion pups, Zalophus californianus, (n = 151), were capt ured and anesthetized for (mean +/- SD) 17.6 +/- 7.8 min on San Miguel Island, California (USA) in November of 1992. Mask isoflurane anesthe sia allowed intubation in 7.1 +/- 2.74 min. Pups recovered and walked in 7.32 +/- 4.8 min. Mask anesthesia in pups resulted in relaxation in 45 +/- 14 sec. Safe, brief anesthesia was delivered in support of wei ghing, medical evaluation, and short surgical procedures. Recovery cha racter of all pups was sufficient to permit release to the free rangin g state immediately after surgery, saving labor, supervision personnel , and postoperative time.