Field Anesthesia and Health Assessment of Free-ranging Cebus capucinus in Panama

Abstract

Health and disease are critical factors for understanding primate evolution and for developing effective conservation and management strategies. However, comprehensive health assessments of wild primate populations are rare, in part because of the difficulty and risk of chemically immobilizing subjects to obtain the necessary biological samples. We report here the results of a health assessment, as Int J Primatol (2009) well as the methods and drug dosages used to capture white-faced capuchins (Cebus capucinus) on Barro Colorado Island, Panama. We captured and measured 24 capuchins as part of an ongoing radiotelemetry study, and collected biological samples from 9 of them for a comprehensive health survey. Telazol® was very effective for immobilizing and capturing capuchins, although the doses we used were higher than those recommended for captive capuchins. High Telazol doses immobilized individuals quickly, ensuring that we were able to find and recover the sedated monkeys. The capuchins were generally in good condition, and had few ecto-, hemo-, or intestinal parasites. However, all but 1 of the adults had substantial dental abnormalities. In addition, 1 juvenile had indeterminate genitalia that we believe to be the result of hypospadias. Seven of the capuchins tested positive for exposure to Herpesvirus tamarinus and all individuals tested positive for exposure to Cebus cytomegalovirus. Hematology, serum chemistry, and plasma mineral levels from the wild individuals were, for the most part, comparable to those recorded for captive Cebus capucinus, and contribute to establishing baseline health values for the species.

Does watching a monkey change its behaviour? Quantifying observer effects in habituated wild primates using automated radiotelemetry

“…Initially, the capuchins responded strongly to the radiocollars, pulling at them and chewing on the antennae. However, they habituated quickly; these behaviours were greatly reduced after only a few hours and had disappeared entirely within 2 weeks (Crofoot et al 2009). …”

“…These individuals were chemically immobilized with Telazol Ò (50 mg/ml of tiletamine hydrochloride, 50 mg/ml of zolazepam hydrochloride; Fort Dodge Animal Health, Fort Dodge, IA, U.S.A.), a non-narcotic, nonbarbiturate injectable anaesthetic, delivered via a Pneu-DartÔ CO 2 gun (Pneu-Dart, Williamsburg, PA, U.S.A.). Outstretched hammocks were positioned below the sedated animals to catch them as they became drowsy and lost their grip (see Crofoot et al 2009 for a full description of capture methods, including drug doses, physiological parameters and recovery times). Once animals were on the ground and their heart rate, respiration and temperature had been assured, we fit each of them with a tubular nylon radiocollar (Advanced Telemetry Systems, Isanti, MN, U.S.A.).…”

Darting Primates in the Field: A Review of Reporting Trends and a Survey of Practices and Their Effect on the Primates Involved

“…Cebus took longer to become immobilized and fall with lower doses of tiletaminezolazepam (mean of 150 s at 26.3 mg / kg vs. mean 317 s at 17.5 mg / kg), increasing the possibility that the darting team lost sight of them (Crofoot et al 2009). However, Ateles fell from trees quickly with low doses of tiletamine-zolazepam (mean 142.5 s at mean of 14 mg / kg), possibly due to the use of a low-impact darting system which minimized muscle trauma and hematoma formation and allowed for more efficient drug absorption (Karesh et al 1998).…”

“…Despite researcher's best efforts, the literature review indicates that only 43 % of falling primates were caught. There are multiple possible reasons for this: primates may move very quickly after being darted (Crofoot et al 2009); chasing the primate may drive it higher into the canopy (Jones and Bush 1988); dense foliage may obscure the location of the primate (Olupot 1999); and undergrowth may impede the movements of the catchers (Lemos de Sá and Glander 1993;Olupot 1999) or make it impossible to spread a net (Glenn and Bensen 1998). For non-primate mammals, such as otariid seals and koalas (Phascolarctos cinereus), experts recommend avoiding situations in which there is danger of the animal falling (Haulena 2014;Holz 2007).…”

Cheating monkeys undermine group strength in enemy territory

“…One or two adults in each of the four focal groups were captured and fitted with radio collars (39), and their movements were tracked using an automated radio telemetry system (8).…”