COMPARISON OF 3 FORMULATIONS OF ALPHA-CHLORALOSE FOR IMMOBILIZATION OF CANADA GEESE

The effectiveness of an alpha-chloralose (AC)-corn oil suspension, an AC-margarine mixture, and AC tablets were compared for immobilizing Ca nada geese (Branta canadensis). Responses to AC immobilization also we re compared in male and female Canada geese. There was no difference i n mean time to first effects or mean time to capture between mate and female geese dosed with 30 mg/kg AC in orally-administered bread baits . Recovery times (less than or equal to 24 hr) also were similar betwe en sexes. Mean (+/-SE) time to first effects for geese immobilized wit h AC tablets in bread baits (19 +/- 3 min) was significantly less than mean time to first effects for geese immobilized with AC in margarine (28 +/- 6 min) or AC in corn oil (32 +/- 7 min) applied to bread bait s (n = 12 geese/treatment). Respective mean times to capture geese imm obilized with AC tablets, AC-margarine, and AC-corn oil were not signi ficantly different at 62 +/- 25, 89 +/- 48, and 88 +/- 30 min, respect ively. Ten, 11 and, seven geese immobilized with AC tablets, AC-margar ine, and AC-corn oil recovered within 24 hr, respectively; all geese r ecovered within 28 hr. Male and female Canada geese respond similarly to AC immobilization, at least during molt, and AC mixed with margarin e or AC in tablet form is at least as effective as the presently used AC-corn oil suspension. AC tablets or AC-margarine also would be more practical for some field situations. Additional development of AC tabl ets will be required prior to field use for capturing nuisance waterfo wl.