Xylazine Hydrochloride (Rompun) and the new retractable-barbed dart ("drop-out" dart) for the capture of some nervous and aggressive antelope species

Abstract

he successful capture and restraint of gemsbok, eland and kudu using the potent sedative, Xylazine hydrochloride (Rompun, Bayer) and the new retractable-barbed dart ("drop-out" dart) is described. These species were rapidly immobilized and rendered 100 per cent tractable by Etorphine/Rompun or Fentanyl/Rompun drug combinations. The drop-out dart proved to be invaluable for the capture of timid species as flight distances were greatly reduced and the chances of capture myopathy (overstraining disease) subsequently obviated.