Roug, AnnetteMeyer, Leith Carl RodneyNetshitavhadulu, L.Leiberich, MarionBuss, Peter2025-01-232025-01-232024-03Roug, A., Meyer, L. Netshitavhadulu, L. et al. 2024, 'Ketamine-butorphanol-medetomidine for the immobilisation of free-living hyenas (Crocuta crocuta)', Journal of the South African Veterinary Association, vol. 95, no. 1, pp. 35-42. https://DOI.org/10.36303/JSAVA.572.1019-9128 (print)2224-9435 (online)10.36303/JSAVA.572http://hdl.handle.net/2263/100269ETHICAL APPROVAL : The study was conducted in collaboration with the South African National Park (SANParks) Veterinary Wildlife Services and approved under the SANParks permit # SS666 and the University of Pretoria ethics protocol # REC015-22.Free-ranging spotted hyenas (Crocuta crocuta) are immobilised for a variety of purposes, including wildlife-human conflict mitigation, research, and veterinary treatment. Combinations of tiletamine-zolazepam (Zoletil) and medetomidine are commonly used for immobilisation of hyenas, however, recovery times are long. In this descriptive study, a total of 20 adult or subadult free-ranging hyenas were immobilised near Skukuza in the Kruger National Park using ketamine, butorphanol, and medetomidine. The goal of the study was to evaluate a suitable dose and measure cardiorespiratory effects of this combination. The quality of induction and recovery were scored using an established scoring system from 1 (excellent) to (poor). Twelve of the 20 hyenas were given an induction score of 1 (excellent), five an induction score of 2 (good), and three an induction score of 3 (fair). Of the animals with induction score = 1, the mean drug dose was 1.17 mg/kg ketamine, 0.25 mg/kg butorphanol and 0.03 mg/kg medetomidine, and the mean induction time and time to handling 6:25 minutes and 9:46 minutes respectively. The mean recovery time (from reversal to standing) was 10:16 min, which is shorter than what has been reported for tiletaminezolazepam- based combinations in hyenas. Most hyenas were bradycardic (< 40 beats per minute) and the mean PaO2 69.5 mmHg. Three hyenas, one with induction score = 2, and two with induction scores = 3 spontaneously recovered at 33, 44 and 56 minutes post approach respectively. Regardless of induction time, all hyenas reached a level of surgical anaesthesia while immobilised. Overall, ketamine-butorphanol-medetomidine (KBM) was effective in immobilising hyenas but induction times varied, and animals were bradycardic during immobilisation.en© 2024 The Author(s). Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons License [CC BY-NC 3.0].KetamineButorphanolMedetomidineCaptureSpotted hyenas (Crocuta crocuta)Free-living hyenasSDG-03: Good health and well-beingSDG-15: Life on landArticle