Use of acepromazine for stress control in Spanish ibex (Capra pyrenaica) captured by drive-net

Capture and restraint can induce stress in wild animals and tranquilizers may be beneficial in preventing some of the more adverse effects. A short-acting neuroleptic agent (acepromazine) was assessed in 25 Spanish ibexes (Capra pyrenaica) captured by drive-net. The animals were divided into a control group (14 ibexes) and a treated group (11 ibexes). Heart rate and rectal temperature, as well as haematological and biochemical parameters, were used to evaluate the effects of tranquilization during 3 h of restraint. A reduction in rectal temperature, red blood cell count, packed cell volume, haemoglobin concentration, white blood cell count, lymphocytes, neutrophils, activities of creatine kinase, aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, lactate dehydrogenase, and concentrations of urea, total bilirubin and potassium in the treated group, suggested that acepromazine decreased signs of stress in Spanish ibex following drive-net capture.This study was funded by the research project entitled ‘Assessment of capture and post-capture handling stress in the Spanish ibex (Capra pyrenaica)’ (REN2001-1989/GLO) of the Comisión Interministerial de Ciencia y Tecnología.Peer Reviewe