A retrospective study on the immobilisation of five captive primate species at Uganda Wildlife Conservation Education Centre, Uganda

Abstract

Abstract This retrospective study examined data from 108 primates consisting of 41 olive baboons ( Papio anubis ), 30 colobus monkeys ( Colobus guereza ), six debrazza monkeys ( Cercopithecus neglectus ), 26 red‐tailed monkeys ( Cercopithecus ascanius ), and five ruwenzori colobus monkeys ( Colobus angolensis ruwenzorii) . These primates underwent annual health assessments, involving the administration of an initial intramuscular dose ketamine (5 mg/kg) plus medetomidine (0.05 mg/kg). Additional intramuscular top‐ups of ketamine (5 mg/kg) plus medetomidine (0.05 mg/kg) were given as needed. Monitoring started when the animals were placed on the examination table in dorsal recumbency and continued until their return to the enclosures. During this period, various physiological parameters, such as heart rate (beats per minute), respiration rate (breaths per minute), peripheral oxygen saturation (SpO 2 , %) and rectal temperature (°C), were recorded at random intervals. To reverse immobilisation, atipamezole was administered intramuscularly at five times the medetomidine dose. Additionally, the study measured various induction and recovery times.