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Physical capture and chemical immobilization procedures for a mammal with singular anatomy: the giant anteater (Myrmecophaga tridactyla)

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Abstract

The giant anteater (Myrmecophaga tridactyla), the largest representative of the xenarthrans, is listed as Vulnerable-IUCN. Their unique anatomy and physiological characteristics, such as relatively low basal metabolic rates, make xenarthrans challenging to anesthetize and equip with tracking devices. This study evaluates and describes physical capture and chemical immobilization protocols for field conditions that enable the harnessing of free-ranging giant anteaters. A total of 51 wild giant anteaters were physically captured, and chemical immobilization was performed applying the combination protocol (BDM), butorphanol tartrate, detomidine hydrochloride, and midazolam hydrochloride, each at 0.1 mg/kg. Whenever extra time was necessary, supplementary doses of BDM were used (0.03 mg/kg of butorphanol, 0.03 mg/kg of detomidine, and 0.03 mg/kg of midazolam). Vital signs were monitored during anesthesia every 10 min. All individuals received the antagonist combination NYF: naloxone hydrochloride (0.02 mg/kg), yohimbine hydrochloride (0.125 mg/kg), and flumazenil (0.01 mg/kg). Average rectal temperature was 34.5 ± 2.52 °C, heart rate/min 43.47 ± 7.39, respiratory rate 8.49 ± 2.79, and oxygen saturation values (SpO2%) 90.1 ± 4.38. BDM protocol was considered satisfactory and provided enough time to complete the procedures. The total chemical immobilization time was 85.5 ± 16.8 min. This protocol provided rapid, smooth inductions, and a wide margin of safety. Recovery time varied according administration method lasting 2.55 ± 1.33 to 12 ± 5.39 min intravenous or intramuscular, respectively. Physical capture method and the chemical immobilization protocol were considered efficient, safe, highly feasible, and can be completely antagonized, promoting smooth and rapid recoveries.

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Availability of data and material

All biological samples collected for our conservation projects are publicly available and stored at the Instituto de Conservação de Animais Silvestres—ICAS, data bank, located in Campo Grande city, Mato Grosso do Sul state, Brazil.

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Acknowledgements

This study is part of a long-term xenarthran ecology and health assessment initiatives developed by the Wild Animals Conservation Institute, ICAS, in Brazil (icasconservation.org.br). We would like to thank the head veterinarian for the Anteaters and Highways Project, Débora Yogui; all the volunteers; and our partners.

Funding

This study would not have been possible without all the Anteaters and Highways supporters: https://www.giantanteater.org/supporters.html

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Naples Zoo at Caribbean Gardens, 1590 Goodlette-Frank Rd, FL, 34102, Naples, USA

    Danilo Kluyber

  2. Instituto de Conservação de Animais Silvestres-ICAS, Rua Afonso Lino Barbosa, Mato Grosso Do Sul, 142 Chácara Cachoeira, Cep: 79040290, Campo Grande, Brazil

    Danilo Kluyber, Nina Attias, Mario H. Alves, Amanda C. Alves, Gabriel Massocato & Arnaud L. J. Desbiez

  3. Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biologia Animal, Universidade Federal do Mato Grosso do Sul, Mato Grosso do Sul, Campo Grande, Brazil

    Nina Attias

  4. Fundación Zoológica de Cali, Cra 2 Oeste Cl 14 esquina, 760036, Valle del Cauca, Colombia

    Mario H. Alves

  5. Houston Zoo, 6200 Hermann Park Drive, Houston, TX, 77030, USA

    Gabriel Massocato

  6. RZSS – The Royal Zoological Society of Scotland (RZSS), Murrayfield, Edinburgh, EH12 6TS, UK

    Arnaud L. J. Desbiez

Authors
  1. Danilo Kluyber
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  2. Nina Attias
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  3. Mario H. Alves
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  4. Amanda C. Alves
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  5. Gabriel Massocato
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  6. Arnaud L. J. Desbiez
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Contributions

Danilo Kluyber, Débora Yogui, Mario Alves, and Amanda Alves were responsible to develop and anesthetize the animals and evaluate the protocol applied for the animals captured. Nina Attias was responsible to perform the statistical analyses and to review the manuscript. Gabriel Massocato and Arnaud Desbiez were responsible for the physical capture and immobilizations and to fit the harness. All the authors read and approved the final manuscript.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Danilo Kluyber.

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Ethics approval and consent to participate

All capture and handling procedures were authorized by the Brazilian Ministry of the Environment (MMA), Instituto Chico Mendes de Conservação da Biodiversidade (ICMBio), under license numbers 38218–4 and 53798–7.

Competing interests

The authors declare no competing interests.

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Kluyber, D., Attias, N., Alves, M.H. et al. Physical capture and chemical immobilization procedures for a mammal with singular anatomy: the giant anteater (Myrmecophaga tridactyla). Eur J Wildl Res 67, 67 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10344-021-01503-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10344-021-01503-4

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