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Thread: Drugs and Darting
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25-05-2017, 18:58 #1
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Drugs and Darting
Hi all.
Not sure where to put this but maybe the right person reads it and who knows things happen from there.
As i understand it years back (90's) i was in my teens game farmers had access the the the M99 drug used for darting game for various reasons. They developed the the dosages for animals on a trial and error bases remembering size plays no part on dosage amount but species type does (ie a Nyala uses more drugs than a Rhino for example). We have upgraded to other drugs now so using M99 as a basis. They/We are however now restricted to veterinarians and the drugs are highly regulated even to them. As i understand one of the main reasons was the poaching of Rhino with these drugs- any truth in this? Lets be honest poachers use all means and rifles are more popular.
Owning a game farm or conservation reserve makes using vets to come dart an animal extremely expensive, inefficient and often they will have to come out 5 times to dart one animal whereby if a registered farm had the drug it would be available within 10 minutes of a sighting, keep eyes on animal and dart. It really seems like a monopoly created to charge ridiculous call out fees. I mean general penicillin used by farmers on stock was being talked about as being restricted to vets only. We use it on a daily basis!
So back to my point. Maybe someone can shed some light as i have some very influential people that would possibly like to take this further. Who regulates veterinary drugs-where can i follow up on this? What was the reason for the initial regulation? I feel a registered game farm should have access to these drugs personally.
Regards
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25-05-2017, 19:05 #2
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Re: Drugs and Darting
I recall that it was available and we used it at the Farm I hunt on.
It is strictly regulated now due to the poaching, and I don't expect it to change.
Dangerous stuff thoughA roaring Lion kills no game
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25-05-2017, 19:16 #3
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25-05-2017, 19:52 #4
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Re: Drugs and Darting
Last time I was in Hluhluwe Umfolzoii filming for WWF there were two adult female rhinos in the rehab bomas that had been found darted and their hornes chopped off
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25-05-2017, 20:01 #5
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Not saying it doesn't happen. If they had rifles would they be in rehab? The last month all poachers caught here in the EC have had hunting rifles and semi-autos.The last 5 poached rhino i inspected were shot with rifles-should we ban rifle?Poaching is an issue and restricting drugs or rifles aint gonna stop it im afraid. Same as banning guns wont stop gun related crime.As a bussiness side i see no practical reason for restricting said drugs. A registered farmer will abide by the same regulations as any veterinarian.
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25-05-2017, 20:01 #6
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Re: Drugs and Darting
At one stage I got involved in developing radio transmitters to fit in the darts. At the time was also asked to look at alternative, un-regulated tranquilising chemicals. Came up with about 3 possibilities that were easy to synthesise, but none were as ideal as M99. he best alternatives were all opiates, which once again brings in a regulation problem.
This may have been profitable, eventually, but some work is bet not undertaken. I stuck with the darts' radio beacons, and left the drug side to others.
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25-05-2017, 20:06 #7
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25-05-2017, 20:11 #8
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Re: Drugs and Darting
Will M66 not suffice? As far as I know it is a weaker version of M99. It is not regulated (according to game farm owner where I hunted this weekend).
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25-05-2017, 20:22 #9
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25-05-2017, 20:26 #10
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Re: Drugs and Darting
/Quote Have used those darts. Possibly your design/work? At one stage we used an imported brand and had issues whereby the impact dented the battery causing a loose conection and loss of power to the transmitter. These were 500k impala in thick bush. Was interesting.... /
I only made a limited number of these. Client had a different view as to what my R&D skills were worth. I don't think he had enough info to duplicate my work, so that is where it ended. There were some imported units that I looked at, and x-rayed, etc. Gave me a starting point.
The drug synth would have been interesting, but very time-consuming to get right. Would never have got my money back though. Also, anaesthesia and tranquilisation are not in my core area of expertise.
A serious difference in philosophy exists. The 'custodians' of wild life in a few cases seem to feel that technical services (from myself) must come at a very low price, for no other reason than they are "conserving" the previously mentioned wildlife. This view has been strongest from those in receipt of foreign "research money" It is a strange world we live in. I admit my experience sample is limited to about 3 cases, so is a generalisation.
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