Bison-Rewilding-Plan-2014

JOEP VAN DE VLASAKKERBison are besttransportedin individualcompartments,instead of woodenboxesBison can tolerate a cross-country trip in atransport trailer of up to five days, but of courseshorter transportation durations are preferred.Bison tend to lie down during transport and candevelop lameness after lying for extended periodsso it is important to encourage them to theirfeet two (minimum) to three times a day withregular feeding and watering intervals. Followingtransport, the bison will be released into the acclimatisationzone by giving them the time to stepout of the transporter under calm conditions.Bedding material (e.g straw) should be placed onthe ramp, to avoid the bison from seeing it as abarrier.3.2TranquilisationCapture and restraint of European bison is generallyundertaken using chemical immobilisation, whichshould be done by an experienced veterinarianwith experience on bison tranquilisation. If theveterinarian associated to the project is not experiencedwith bison he or she should receive trainingfirst. The particular drug combination will dependon availability and preference of the veterinarian.Some drugs include extremely potent semi-syntheticmorphine derivatives and must be handledwith extreme caution. Human exposure to evensmall amounts of these drugs can result in the veryrapid onset of respiratory arrest. These drugs canbe absorbed through mucous membranes, such asthe mouth and eyes, as well as by accidental needlepuncture. Personnel must therefore be adequatelyprotected during dart preparation and handlingof the animal after the administration of the dart,potentially including latex or rubber gloves, safetyglasses or full-face shields, long sleeves and otherprecautions as appropriate. Every project shouldhave an accidental narcotic exposure responseprotocol in place and staff should be well trainedin its execution.There can be a great deal of variation in the drugdose required to immobilise a bison, dependingon an animal’s sex, weight and temperament,individual drug sensitivity, excitability, current54