An improved method of capture and immobilisation for medium to large-size macropods

Miguel A. Bedoya-Pérez; Michael J. Lawes; Brett Ottley; Stuart Barker; Esther Tarszisz; Clive R. McMahon

doi:10.1071/WR24170

RESEARCH ARTICLE (Open Access)

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An improved method of capture and immobilisation for medium to large-size macropods

Miguel A. Bedoya-Pérez

^A ^B ^* , Michael J. Lawes ^B ^C , Brett Ottley ^D , Stuart Barker ^D , Esther Tarszisz ^E and Clive R. McMahon ^F ^G ^H

+ Author Affiliations

- Author Affiliations

^A School of Psychology, Brain and Mind Centre, The University of Sydney, Camperdown NSW 2050, Australia.

^B Research Institute for the Environment and Livelihoods, Charles Darwin University, Darwin, NT 0909, Australia.

^C School of Life Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Scottsville 3209, South Africa.

^D Wild Science, ABS Scrofa (Australia) Pty Ltd, Humpty Doo, NT 0836, Australia.

^E Bondi Vet Hospital, 335 Old South Head Road, North Bondi, NSW 2026, Australia.

^F Sydney Institute of Marine Science, 19 Chowder Bay Road, Mosman, NSW 2088, Australia.

^G Department of Biological Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW 2109, Australia.

^H Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies, University of Tasmania, Private Bag 129, Hobart, Tas 7001, Australia.

^* Correspondence to: miguel.bedoyaperez@sydney.edu.au

Handling Editor: Tom Sullivan

Wildlife Research 52, WR24170 https://doi.org/10.1071/WR24170

Submitted: 4 October 2024 Accepted: 17 December 2024 Published: 14 January 2025

© 2025 The Author(s) (or their employer(s)). Published by CSIRO Publishing. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License (CC BY-NC-ND)

Abstract

Context

Macropods are very susceptible to stress during capture. Capture methods for macropods fall into two categories: trapping and darting. Trapping by nets or a triggered trap mechanism is commonly used for small macropods. Darting is most often used for large macropods that are more prone to stress and capture myopathy when caught in traps.

Aim

To describe a modified ‘nylon drop-net’ technique for safely capturing medium to large macropods; and post-capture treatments that reduce stress and the potential for myopathy.

Methods

We used a drop-net to capture 40 agile wallabies (Notamacropus agilis) (24 females and 16 males), ranging in weight from 6 to 24 kg. For immobilisation, a single dose of intramuscular Diazepam (1 mg/kg) and Richtasol, a multivitamin, was administered to reduce the risk of capture myopathy. The longer-term effects of capture on animal condition were monitored in 34 radio-collared individuals for 2 months.

Key results

No deaths occurred during or as a result of capture or in the 8 weeks following capture.

Conclusions

Our modified drop-net and handling/treatment regime provides a cost-effective method for capturing medium and small-sized macropod species with very low risk of mortality or morbidity.

Implications

Our methods improve the welfare and safety of captured medium-sized macropods.

Keywords: agile wallaby, capture stress, drop-net capture method, live-capture, macropods, medium-sized macropod, muscle relaxant, myopathy.

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