Evaluation of four methods for inducing death during slaughter of American alligators (Alligator mississippiensis)

Abstract

Spinal cord severance followed by pithing of the brain and application of a penetrating or nonpenetrating captive bolt appeared to be humane and effective techniques for inducing death in American alligators, whereas spinal cord severance alone was not found to be an appropriate method.

Modulation of formalin‐induced pain‐related behaviour by clonidine and yohimbine in the Speke's hinged tortoise (Kiniskys spekii)

“…The animal was injected intrathecally with Evans blue dye and then killed by injecting sodium pentobarbitone (200 mg/kg) intravenously into the jugular vein. The animals were declared dead when spontaneous blinking had ceased and the corneal reflex was absent (Nevarez et al, 2014). Once the animal was confirmed dead, it was placed on a dissecting dish and slit with the use of a scalpel at the point where Evans blue was injected.…”

AJVR Instructions for Authors

“…However, because the CNS of reptiles and amphibians is tolerant to hypoxic and hypotensive conditions, 356 decapitation must be followed by pithing or another method of destroying brain tissue. 352,354,361,374 Decapitation should only be performed as part of a 3-step euthanasia protocol (injectable anesthetic, decapitation, pithing).…”

“…Spinal cord severance followed by destruction of brain tissue-Death can be humanely and effectively induced in 5-to 15-kg American alligators by spinal cord severance promptly followed by pithing of the brain when operators are trained and skilled in the procedure. 374 This method may be appropriate for some sizes of other reptile and amphibian species, but further research is needed to confirm this. Destruction of brain tissue after spinal cord severance can also be achieved by use of PCB or NPCB, and this approach may be less prone to operator error when equipment is in good working order.…”

“…S7.3.5.2 Physical methods PCB or firearm-Crocodilians and other large reptiles can be euthanized by a PCB or gunshot (free bullet) delivered to the brain. 355,374 Nonpenetrating captive bolt can be effective for euthanasia of Ameri-can alligators 374 that are 5 to 15 kg (11 to 33 lb), and further research is needed to establish this method's general applicability to large reptilian and amphibian species. Line drawings of the head of various amphibians and reptiles, with recommended locations for captive bolt or firearm projectile penetration, are available ( Figure 26).…”

Animal welfare and the use of procedural documents: limitations and refinement

“…Validation studies use animal-based measures to ensure that resource-based measures are related to animal welfare outcomes (Whitham and Wielebnowski 2009;Nevarez et al 2014). Validation studies have been very important for assessing the validity of newly developed welfare measures, such as faecal glucocorticoid levels (Buchanan and Goldsmith 2004;Touma and Palme 2005), or behavioural assessments (Fleming et al 2016).…”