Capture and Chemical Anesthesia of Amur (Siberian) Tigers

In 1992, we began a research program on the ecology of endangered Amur (or Siberian) tigers (Panthera tigris altaica) to develop a database from which conservation plans could be developed. Radiotelemetry was a necessary part of our program because tigers are cryptic, secretive, and difficult to observe; hence, we developed techniques to capture them, equip them with radiocollars, and collect tissue and blood samples. We captured 19 tigers 23 times in 12,287 trap nights during 1992-1998, using Aldrich foot snares. Most (65%, n=23) tigers were caught at mark trees, but snares set at kills were most effective (1 capture/47 trap nights, n=6 captures). The snared foot was swollen in all cases (n=18; data on swelling were not recorded for all captures). We observed no other detectable injuries (e.g., lacerations) in 68% of 22 captures, but in the remaining captures, we observed minor lacerations in 23% of the cases, moderate injuries in 4.5%, and severe injuries in 4.5% (2 fractured metatarsals). To change radiocollars, we recaptured 8 tigers 12 times in 19 attempts from a helicopter (Russian MI-8). Tigers sustained no notable injuries because of capture from helicopter. We anesthetized tigers with a mixture of ketamine hydrochloride (x̄=10.8±3.4 mg/kg, n=33) and xylazine hydrochloride (x̄=0.81±0.24 mg/kg, n=23).