How Wild Animals Are Tranquilised

Key Points

• 1The art and science of tranquilizing have evolved over a century.
• 2In 1956, Colin Murdoch invented disposable plastic syringes, leading to the development of tranquilizer guns.
• 3M99 or etorphine, an opioid stronger than morphine, is widely used to immobilize elephants and other large mammals.
• 4Modern alpha-adrenergic tranquilizers, like Xylazine, are strong sedatives, and are often combined with Ketamine.
• 5The effective shooting range of a dart gun does not exceed 200 ft.
• 6Under or overdosing can endanger the lives of either the captors or the animal.