Physiologic Responses of Grizzly Bears to Different Methods of Capture

Abstract

The physiologic effects of two methods of capture, chemical immobilization of free-ranging (FR) bears by remote injection from a helicopter and physical restraint (PR) by leg-hold snare prior to chemical immobilization, were compared in 46 grizzly bears (Ursus arctos) handled during 90 captures between 1999 and 2001. Induction dosages and times were greater for FR bears than PR bears, a finding consistent with depletion of, or decreased sensitivity to, catecholamines. Free-ranging bears also had higher rectal temperatures 15 min following immobilization and temperatures throughout handling that correlated positively with induction time. Physically restrained bears had higher white blood cell counts, with more neutrophils and fewer lymphocytes and eosinophils, than did FR bears. This white blood cell profile was consistent with a stress leukogram, possibly affected by elevated levels of serum cortisol. Serum concentrations of alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, and creatine kinase were higher in PR bears that suggested muscle injury. Serum concentrations of sodium and chloride also were higher in PR bears and attributed to reduced body water volume through water deprivation and increased insensible water loss. Overall, different methods of capture resulted in different patterns of physiologic disturbance. Reducing pursuit and drug induction times should help to minimize increase in body temperature and alteration of acid-base balance in bears immobilized by remote injection. Minimizing restraint time and ensuring snare-anchoring cables are short should help to minimize loss of body water and prevent serious muscle injury in bears captured by leg-hold snare.

Effects of Sex, Age, Body Mass, and Capturing Method on Hematologic Values of Brown Bears in Croatia

“…Although there is no significant difference in lymphocyte counts between snared and not snared bears, the pattern of white blood cell proportions in the snared group is most typical of a stress leukogram, suggesting adrenal stimulation and elevated levels of cortisol in the bears captured by leg-hold snare. This is similar to the findings of Cattet et al (2003) where bears captured by leg-hold snare had higher concentrations of white blood cells, higher proportions of neutrophils, and lower proportions of lymphocytes and eosinophils than did bears immobilized by remote injection from a helicopter.…”

Social rank and cortisol among female rhesus macaques ( Macaca mulatta )

“…www.zoores.ac.cn of the day (Beerda et al, 1996;Cattet et al, 2003;Ekkel et al, 1996;Keay et al, 2006;Mormède et al, 2007;Owen et al, 2005;von der Ohe & Servheen, 2002). To overcome the issue of an animal's diurnal rhythm, samples must be collected all day (Burch, 1982).…”

“…As the primary glucocorticoids in humans, nonhuman primates and many larger mammals, cortisol has been used to assess stress response levels in the plasma, saliva, urine, and feces of many species (Cattet et al, 2003;Constable et al, 2006;Keay et al, 2006;Millspaugh et al, 2002;Wallner et al, 1999;Whitten et al, 1999;Weingrill et al, 2004;Abbott et al, 2003). The most commonly used assays to detect cortisol levels in these samples include radioimmunoassays (RIAs), liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) (Gatti et al, 2009).…”

Efficacy of Different Cooling Methods for Capture-Induced Hyperthermia in Antelope

“…These physiological changes, which include alterations in body temperature, acid-base balance, tissue growth and maintenance of immunity (Kock, Jessup, Clark & Franti, 1987;Cattet, Christison & Caulkett, 2003), may result in morbidity and/or mortality (Ganhao, Hattingh & Pitts, 1988). A precipitous body temperature increase, termed captureinduced hyperthermia (Meyer, Hetem, Fick, Mitchell & Fuller, 2008a;Meyer, Hetem, Fick, Mitchell & Fuller, 2008b), is probably the most conspicuous and consistent adverse effect of capture in wildlife.…”