Field immobilisation of adult Weddell seals using intramuscular butorphanol and midazolam.

Intramuscular butorphanol-midazolam safely immobilizes adult Weddell seals without significant apnoea.

This field study evaluated the safety and efficacy of intramuscular butorphanol and midazolam for chemical immobilization of adult Weddell seals in Antarctica. Twenty adult seals, predominantly mid-lactation females (n=14), received intramuscular injections at doses of 0.16±0.03 mg/kg butorphanol and 0.19±0.03 mg/kg midazolam. The primary objective was to reduce complications, particularly apnoea, commonly associated with seal immobilization during research procedures. No apnoea episodes exceeding 2 minutes duration were observed, and no adverse effects were reported. This combination demonstrated safe and effective immobilization in this limited population. However, the authors acknowledge significant limitations including the small sample size restricted to adults and lack of demographic diversity, absence of detailed vital sign monitoring, and no physiological measurements such as blood gas analysis. The authors recommend future studies include additional demographic groups, dose variation protocols, comprehensive vital sign documentation, and expanded physiological monitoring to establish more robust safety and efficacy data for this drug combination in Weddell seals.

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