Wildlife Capture & Care Blog
Wildlife Capture and Handling Stories From the Field
Welcome!! This blog is for you if:
This blog is for you if: You capture and handle captive or free-ranging wildlife and always wish to do better. You want practical, field-based information on equipment and protocols to maximize success and the safety of both humans and animals. You care for the...
The Use of the BMM Protocol in the Immobilization of African Wildlife Species
By Dr. Joel Alves of WildScapes Veterinary Services, Hoedspruit, South Africa Dear colleagues, it is a pleasure to have guest author, Dr. Joel Alves of Wildscapes Veterinary and Conservation Services from Hoedspruit, South Africa present this article on the use of a...
Estimating Body Weights for Bears
Here is a great question sent to me from a wildlife biologist taking my online course, “The Foundations of Wildlife Chemical Capture”. Dr. MarkColleen asks: Dr. Mark, I just finished Chapter 2 where you discussed the importance of accurate weight estimates to...
The Use Of Potent Opioids In The Field Of Wildlife Immobilization
By Dr. Liesel Laubscher, Wildlife Pharmaceuticals South Africa Dear colleagues, it is a pleasure to have guest author, Dr. Liesel Laubscher of Wildlife Pharmaceuticals South Africa present this article on potent opioids. Dr. MarkThe development of highly potent opioid...
The Foundations Course is Reviewed by Journal of Wildlife Diseases
It is an honor to have the Journal of Wildlife Diseases (JWD) review our online course, The Foundations of Wildlife Chemical Capture. This is likely the first time JWD has reviewed an online course.The review was written by Dr. Jane Harms, Program Veterinarian with...
How To Evaluate Which Wildlife Drug Combination to Use
Dr. Mark describes creating new drug combinations for immobilizing lynx Note: This blog article is a bit technical but it covers the basics for how to choose an immobilizing drug combination for a wildlife research or management program. To learn more, register for...
Wildlife Health Connections Podcast Part 1: Dr. Mark Johnson – Stories and Wisdom from 35 years of Wildlife Capture and Handling
Dr. Michelle Kneeland of WildlifeHealth.org is presenting a podcast interview with me as I share my stories and adventures from 35 years as a wildlife veterinarian. Listen to me describe a mountain lion capture in a severe winter storm. Hear what it feels like...
Wildlife Pharmaceuticals/ZooPharm Is Now Part Of Wedgewood Pharmacy
Wildlife Pharmaceuticals and its subsidiary, ZooPharm, the legacy of retired Bill Lance, DVM, MS, PhD, are now part of the largest veterinary-compounding pharmacy in the U.S., Wedgewood Pharmacy, a respected name known to 9 in 10 veterinarians in the U.S. The...
The Future in “Bear hair”: Will Noninvasive DNA Sampling Advances Minimize the Need to Capture & Handle Bears for Management & Research?
Dear colleagues, I am honored to have Tyler Brasington bring his field experience and knowledge to this blog as he writes about non-invasive grizzly research. Thank you, Tyler!” Dr. MarkCapturing and chemically immobilizing bears is stressful for the animal....
How to REALLY Find Wildlife Work
“Dear colleagues, I am honored to have Michelle Kneeland DVM write this inspiring article. This blog will have guest authors once a month. Thank you, Michelle!” Dr. Mark Many wildlife students are becoming dismayed by the current job market and difficulties they face...
ALWAYS Use a Headcover with Every animal – or Should We?
For decades, I have been teaching that we should always use a headcover with every animal we chemically immobilize. Always. Last night I watched a very high-end documentary about wildlife research and one of the more prominent researchers never used headcovers when...
The Value of Post-Capture Self-Assessment
by Andrea J. Shipley, Mammalogist, North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission Note: GWR is providing blog articles from guest field professionals every 3rd week of the month. We are honored to start with an article from Andrea Shipley. If you have an idea for a...
Is it Safe to Drug Black Bears with BAM?
“Is it safe to drug black bears with BAM?”“How do I deal with slow respirations caused by BAM?” These are questions I often get from wildlife professionals. BAM is combination of Butorphanol, Azaperone, and Medetomidine from Wildlife Pharmaceuticals. It has been...
Staying Positive During These Challenging Times
Just yesterday I read an article where seismic researchers are documenting that the planet is vibrating less with our reduced transportation and activity. These are significant and challenging times and for now, a new way of life. One of the most important things we...
TPRs: Shining Light On A Furry Black Box
Monitoring TPRs (Temperature, Pulse, and Respiration) should be done with every chemical immobilization. Drugging an animal should not be a mystery. A biologist in one of my recent courses described how tense their team was when immobilizing each animal. They felt...
Popular Posts
The Use of the BMM Protocol in the Immobilization of African Wildlife Species
Estimating Body Weights for Bears- The Use Of Potent Opioids In The Field Of Wildlife Immobilization
The Foundations Course is Reviewed by Journal of Wildlife Diseases
How To Evaluate Which Wildlife Drug Combination to Use
Wildlife Health Connections Podcast Part 1: Dr. Mark Johnson – Stories and Wisdom from 35 years of Wildlife Capture and Handling
Wildlife Pharmaceuticals/ZooPharm Is Now Part Of Wedgewood Pharmacy
The Future in “Bear hair”: Will Noninvasive DNA Sampling Advances Minimize the Need to Capture & Handle Bears for Management & Research?
How to REALLY Find Wildlife Work
ALWAYS Use a Headcover with Every animal – or Should We?