Capture and Anesthesia of Otariids in the Wild

Chapter 39 Capture and Anesthesia of Otariids in the Wild



Alberto Parás


Otariids are widely distributed in coastal regions throughout the world. The family Otariidae, in the order Pinnipedia, includes sea lions and fur seals (14 species in seven genera). As a group, they are distinguished from the true seals by their use of the fore flippers as the principal means of propulsion. Sea lions, which have broader muzzles and lack underfur, are generally larger than most fur seals. All species of otariids are gregarious and sexually dimorphic; males are substantially larger and darker in color than females.


Some of the populations of these species are relatively small, such as the Galápagos fur seal (Arctocephalus galapagoensis), the Galápagos sea lion (Zalophus wollebaeki), the isolated California sea lion (Zalophus californianus) population found in the Sea of Cortez in Mexico (20,000-30,000 individuals), and the Guadalupe fur seal (Arctocephalus townsendi), with no more than 8000 individuals. These populations have experienced significant reduction in size attributed to bacterial and viral epizootic diseases, contamination, the introduction of exotic species, competition with humans, and decreased food resources resulting from climatic phenomena such as El Ni-o Southern Oscillation events, which have caused up to 99% mortality in pups.15


Otariids are high-metabolism predators that consume species that aggregate in dense schools (sardines, anchovies, mackerel, hake) and normally are associated with upwelling zones where abundant food maintains populations as great as millions of individuals.1 In several monitoring programs of marine ecosystem health, the study of otariids as sentinel species has intensified in the past few decades, including research on population dynamics, ecology, and interactions of these animals with the fisheries. The direct handling of otariids has been carried out since the 1980s using physical restraint and more recently with anesthesia, to mark, weigh, and measure animals and collect biologic samples. The study of adult females reflects local environmental conditions because they remain for most of the year near the reproductive areas. With increased longevity, the raising of offspring may extend up to 1 year or more, and thus a good body condition of the female reflects in general a good health condition of the pups. The health study of pups offers a practical alternative to indirect evaluation of the condition of the mothers and the general condition of the colony.11


Field studies that require the close manipulation of otariid females and pups call for effective techniques that have only a minor impact on the individuals and the breeding rookeries. The capture and anesthesia of individuals in field conditions differ in some ways from methods with captive animals; the history of the animal is unknown, their weight and physiologic status must be estimated, a fast recovery is required, and often the work is done under adverse climatic conditions. Normally the goals of the studies are to obtain accurate morphometric measurements and biologic samples, to measure physiologic data, and to attach biotelemetry equipment Figure 39-1.


image

Fig 39-1 Gas anesthesia in Galápagos sea lion (left) and California sea lion (right), to attach biotelemetry equipment.


This chapter addresses the capture and anesthesia of free-ranging otariids.



UNIQUE ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY


Otariids present certain anatomic and physiologic particularities that are important to consider. The body is long and hydrodynamic with a well-developed neck; pectoral flippers are relatively long; and otariids have strong caudal flippers that may rotate forward. The thin and highly vascular flippers play an important role in thermoregulation, especially with the underfur and thick subcutaneous fat layer (3-4 cm [1.2-1.6 inches]) in the rest of the body.


Otariids have specialized adaptations related to the amazing diving they perform Figure 39-2, such as highly efficient lungs for gas exchange, higher blood volume with an increased capacity to transport oxygen, and muscles rich in myoglobin. When submerged, otariids exhibit a dive response that involves the following2:


image

Fig 39-2 Dive record of female Galápagos sea lion using time-depth recorder during 1 day (right) and 10 days (left).


(Courtesy Dan Costa.)



1. Apnea interrupts respiratory gas exchange and forces the use of blood and tissue oxygen stores to sustain aerobic metabolism (oxymyoglobin in the muscles).

2. Bradycardia decreases cardiac output and causes reflex peripheral vasoconstriction that maintains normal arterial blood pressure.

3. Body temperature is lower.

4. In long dives the energy metabolism switches to anaerobic, resulting in the rapid formation of lactic acid.

Cardiovascular adaptations in the venous system, such as the large hepatic sinus formed from the hepatic veins, works as a large-capacity blood reservoir, which is presumed to assist in the shunting of circulating blood only to vital organs during a dive.4


Other anatomic particularities are the long tongue, which is poorly mobile; reduced mandibular mobility; prominent arytenoid cartilages; a small, flexible epiglottis; and the trachea, which bifurcates in the region of the thoracic inlet.12


Some of the common complications during restraint and anesthesia related to the unique anatomic and physiologic characteristics of otariids are head trauma, hyperthermia, apnea with hypoxemia and bradycardia, respiratory alkalosis, and endobronchial intubation.



CAPTURE AND HANDLING


Physical restraint of these animals in the field presents many challenges because of the long hydrodynamic body, the size and strength of the adults, the need to control the head and the pectoral flippers, and the high incidence of hyperthermia during capture. The environment in which otariids live also presents challenges; for example, in some areas, such as desert climate and islands with difficult access to rocky beaches, the research protocol may require the capture of a specific individual from hundreds of animals over rough terrains or the transport of an individual by land or sea to the research camp.


The pups may be captured by lifting the animals by the base of the caudal flipper and maintaining the animal far from one’s body. They may be placed on a table in sternal recumbency, and three people may manage the animal, handling the head, the pectoral flippers by placing them over the back of the animal to prevent them from having contact with the table, and the caudal flippers by pulling them backward.


In the case of juveniles or adult females, a hoop net must be used. The net is made from small mesh and needs to be long enough to permit the animal to be fully enclosed, with a hole at the bottom of the net that allows the nose and mouth of the animal to stick out, at the same time serving as a muzzle to prevent the animal from biting. This hole is also useful for the induction of gas anesthesia. The bottom of the net should have two layers of mesh to blind the animal and keep it calm. The right diameter and cone shape of the net will prevent the pectoral flippers from being used, limiting the movement of the animal. It is helpful to be able to disconnect the top of the net from the handle and to close it to prevent the animal from backing out of the net. To carry an animal inside a net by land or boat, a stretcher must be used; animals should never be dragged, because of the potential for head trauma. A stretcher is also useful if weighing is desired.


Males of otariid species are rarely handled physically because of their size and strength. To work with them safely, a trap cage must be built on land or at sea on a floating platform, where they may be secured before induction of anesthesia.


In cases in which pups are the main subject, it is best to collect several animals at the same time and keep them in a corral with a shade, cooling them frequently with water. This corral may also serve as a recovery area before returning them. In my experience, working with 24 pups for 12 minutes each will take up to 6 hours.


Before the start of any procedure, it is important to review the plan and the necessary equipment. The team must include personnel with knowledge on the species biology to minimize the disturbance to the colony. The physical characteristics of the location (time, temperature, shade, wind, substrate, tide) must also be considered.

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  3. Amphibian Chytridiomycosis
  4. Avian Atherosclerosis

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Oct 1, 2016 | Posted by in EXOTIC, WILD, ZOO | Comments Off on Capture and Anesthesia of Otariids in the Wild

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