Darting of tigers in India as a sport

04 April 2005, 22:44

RHB

Darting of tigers in India as a sport - a faint possibility.

The following is posted on behalf of AR member Lynx, who is unable to access the internet.

Some of you may recall a recent post on the disappearance of the tiger from the Sariska wildlife sanctuary.

As a result of the protests, the Union and State government of Rajasthan have instituted a task force.

The person leading this task force is known to Lynx, who has suggested the idea of darting tigers and possibly other fauna as a sport, with a view to generating additional income. I would assume that the powers that be are smart enough to pass on some of this income to the surrounding villages so that they have a vested interest in preserving the wild life around them.

Lynx needs to give this official as much feedback and information on the subject of darting wild animals - equipment, techniques, possible cost of such hunts, etc.

Any help you could provide would be gratefully received.

Thanks.

Rustam

04 April 2005, 23:10

shakari

Rustam,

I'm not a vet but obviously have had some experience of this kind of thing. Firstly one has to be VERY careful about what (KO) drugs one uses on the cats as some/most of these drugs are fatal to cats.......a few years ago I heard of a vet in the UK who was called out to mildly sedate two circus lions whose road transporter had been involved in an accident. He darted both with M99 and promptly killed them

I'll be happy to be of whatever help I can but you'll have to get someone to drop me an e-mail.

04 April 2005, 23:21

RHB

Thank you, Steve. I will have Lynx e-mail you.

Regards,

Rustam

05 April 2005, 00:41

mehulkamdar

Rustam,

Some years ago, Ullas Karanth got into a lot of trouble trying to dart tigers to radio collar them. If I remember, seven tigers died. No idea what anesthetic he used, though.

The Russians dart tigers to radio collar them and they may have some information on the drugs they use.

Steve,

Isn't M99 used on pachyderms? I remember corresponding with Iain Douglas Hamilton some decades ago when he was working on elephant at Lake Manyara and he talked about it being developed in South Africa and then sold in other parts of Africa. Thanks for the help and best wishes,

05 April 2005, 00:50

Oldsarge

No doubt it would be terribly expensive but it certainly would appeal to me. I suppose the trophy could be a 24x36" glicee' print framed?

05 April 2005, 01:18

shakari

Mehulkamdar,

I'm not a vet, I'm just the guy who is there with a rifle in his hands in case things go wrong - so I'm not qualified to offer any detailed advice about the drugs used......however I do have sufficient knowledge to say that M99 is a major component in a cocktail of drugs that are usually used on pachyderms and it works very well indeed - but as I understand it the cat's are all ultra sensitive to most if not all of these KO drugs but especially to M99.

05 April 2005, 02:09

Brad_Rolston

quote:
Originally posted by RHB:
The following is posted on behalf of AR member Lynx, who is unable to access the internet.

Some of you may recall a recent post on the disappearance of the tiger from the Sariska wildlife sanctuary.

Rustam

I will try to get you the details of Dr. Douw Grobler . He used to be the senior veterinarian in the Kruger National Park . I tried to call him , but the cell pphone number I have is no longer in use . He has in the past travelled internationally to assist foreign wildlife departments .

Brad

As a result of the protests, the Union and State government of Rajasthan have instituted a task force.

The person leading this task force is known to Lynx, who has suggested the idea of darting tigers and possibly other fauna as a sport, with a view to generating additional income. I would assume that the powers that be are smart enough to pass on some of this income to the surrounding villages so that they have a vested interest in preserving the wild life around them.

Lynx needs to give this official as much feedback and information on the subject of darting wild animals - equipment, techniques, possible cost of such hunts, etc.

Any help you could provide would be gratefully received.

Thanks.

Rustam

05 April 2005, 02:11

Brad_Rolston

Lets try again ..............

Rustam

I will try to get you the details of Dr. Douw Grobler . He used to be the senior veterinarian in the Kruger National Park . I tried to call him , but the cell pphone number I have is no longer in use . He has in the past travelled internationally to assist foreign wildlife departments .

Brad

05 April 2005, 20:58

RHB

Thank you, Brad, that is truly appreciated.

If you wish, you can e-mail me at rustambana@satyam.net.in

Rustam

05 April 2005, 21:09

Saeed

Darting tigers for sport!! Or any other animals for that matter!

What a disgusting idea

05 April 2005, 21:32

NitroX

Good Lord!

I hope these dart guns will come in doubles! Not pukka otherwise.

***

Saeed

I think darting the deadly species, the "Walterhog" could become popular with hunters visiting Dubai.

No need for a sedative, just running shoes for they become enraged and dangerous I am told when pricked.

06 April 2005, 00:49

Brad_Rolston

quote:
Originally posted by Saeed:
Darting tigers for sport!! Or any other animals for that matter!

What a disgusting idea

Saeed

Amen - kill them , or leave them alone .

Brad

06 April 2005, 00:52

Sunshine

quote:
Darting tigers for sport!! Or any other animals for that matter! What a disgusting idea

What about darting Lynx? Maybe it would make him sober again.

06 April 2005, 00:59

shakari

quote:
Originally posted by Saeed:
Darting tigers for sport!! Or any other animals for that matter!

What a disgusting idea

Saeed - I promise you, it's great fun. Very different to a proper hunt but I guarantee that if you ever try it you'll have a big smile on your face afterwards.

06 April 2005, 01:12

Oldsarge

I'm sorry, purists, but we are talking desparate measures for desparate times. If something isn't done to give the local villagers cause to preserve tigers in the wild, all we'll have left is preserved tigers! Let's face it. Photographers won't spend the bucks we do. Sure, we'd all prefer the old days of the machan, of waiting up over a kill. Even elephant back would be cool, but it isn't going to happen. For the tigers' sake, this might be the only salvation.

06 April 2005, 08:08

RHB

quote:
What a disgusting idea

Why is that, Saeed? Not being confrontational but genuinely curious.

Thanks.

Rustam

06 April 2005, 08:26

RHB

quote:
I hope these dart guns will come in doubles! Not pukka otherwise.
***
No need for a sedative, just running shoes for they become enraged and dangerous I am told when pricked.

What a considerate suggestion. Right barrel for Sher Khan and the left for the darter after SK gets his claws on him?

There's no way such a 'hunt' could be conducted on foot. It would have to be done from a machaan sitting over a kill only. What concerns me is how long it takes before the drug takes effect and the duration of sedation.

Rustam

06 April 2005, 08:34

RHB

quote:
What about darting Lynx? Maybe it would make him sober again.

Now why didn't I think of that?

The bighter got me out of bed to make that post, so that's as good a form of revenge as any.

Jokes aside, Lynx has the best of intentions where Indian wildlife is concerned. Perhaps you too could state why you are averse to darting - preferably before Saeed chimes in.

06 April 2005, 08:48

RHB

quote:
Amen - kill them , or leave them alone .

Brad, there may not be any to leave alone if we don't try alternative forms of 'protection'.

As Ol' Sarge rightly says, desperate times call for desperate measures - if feasible ofcourse.

All our hand wringing, protests, speeches and governmental committees wont make a jot of difference to the survival of the tiger and other borderline species in India if we don't make it worthwhile for the local population surrounding the sanctuaries. It would also put additional eyes and ears in the Indian forests and that is very important since forest department staff usually prefer to stick to the forest path made for tourists rather than venturing deep within.

Rustam

06 April 2005, 09:31

Saeed

Gentlemen,

The idea of going out and darting an animal does not appeal to me at all.

I know people have done it and have enjoyed it.

I would rather take photos if I am not actually hunting.

Personal preferences, really, nothing more, nothing less.

06 April 2005, 09:49

RHB

quote:
Personal preferences, really, nothing more, nothing less.

Fair enough, Saeed. I can respect that. Come to think of it, I would plonk for the camera myself, even if I could afford such a 'hunt'.

However, if the darting brings in substantially more revenue and incentive for the locals in preserving the Indian tiger, then I'd say it's worth a shot.

Rustam

06 April 2005, 11:47

NitroX

quote:
Originally posted by Saeed:

I would rather take photos if I am not actually hunting.

Fair enough. But you can't do a trophy photo pose with an untranquilised tiger.

06 April 2005, 15:27

Pete E

Nitro X,

Don't be silly, you would get Walter to do that while Saeed takes the pciture!

Regards,

Pete

06 April 2005, 20:43

Sunshine

quote:
Saeed - I promise you, it's great fun. Very different to a proper hunt but I guarantee that if you ever try it you'll have a big smile on your face afterwards.

Steve, no wonder why almost the entire world is against hunting and hunters. You really shouldn't support such a sick idea.

06 April 2005, 21:14

RHB

quote:
Originally posted by Sunshine:
Steve, no wonder why almost the entire world is against hunting and hunters. You really shouldn't support such a sick idea.

You'd be surprised...

http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2003/06/0616_030616_greenhunting.html

and if thats not enough...

http://www.save-the-elephants.org/protection_main.htm

Rustam

07 April 2005, 06:43

NitroX

quote:
Originally posted by Sunshine:
quote:
Saeed - I promise you, it's great fun. Very different to a proper hunt but I guarantee that if you ever try it you'll have a big smile on your face afterwards.

Steve, no wonder why almost the entire world is against hunting and hunters. You really shouldn't support such a sick idea.

What an unusual comment from a hunter.