# Clinical and physiological evaluation of free-ranging snow leopards immobilized with ketamine-xylazine in emergency situations

## TL;DR

This study shows that ketamine and xylazine safely immobilize wild snow leopards during emergencies, with stable vital signs and quick recovery.

## Contribution

The study provides empirical evidence for a safe drug protocol for immobilizing wild snow leopards in emergency situations.

## Key findings

- Ketamine-xylazine mixture induced immobilization within 3.85 minutes on average.
- Physiological parameters remained within safe ranges during immobilization.
- Recovery after reversal with yohimbine took an average of 24.92 minutes.

## Abstract

The current study presents data on the immobilization and physiological responses of 26 distressed free-ranging snow leopards (Panthera uncia) in the trans-Himalayan regions of Ladakh, India, spanning three years from October 2020 to December 2023. Ketamine and xylazine were utilized in a drug mixture for rescue, rehabilitation, health assessment, and other capture purposes, with average doses of 6.535 ± 0.93 mgkg−1 and 1.937 ± 0.41 mgkg−1 of body weight, respectively. The average induction occurred at 3.85 ± 1.8 min. Respiratory rate, rectal temperature, and heart rate were monitored periodically post-induction, all remaining within clinically acceptable ranges. Following an average recumbency period of 70.69 ± 16.56 min, immobilizations were reversed using intramuscular injections of Yohimbine at 0.147 ± 0.03 mgkg−1 of body weight, leading to complete recovery within an average time of 24.92 ± 7.08 min. Our findings suggest that the ketamine and xylazine mixture represents a safe and effective method for immobilizing snow leopards, particularly in emergency scenarios.