Field Anaesthesia for Platypuses: a proven method and the case for non-veterinarian accreditation pathways
Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: This communication details the implementation of field-based anaesthesia for platypuses, applied by non-veterinarians to over 500 individuals across 9 years, with a focus on enhancing animal welfare while enabling the collection of critical scientific data. By utilising portable anaesthetic machines and tailored protocols, safe handling and minimising stress during procedures such as tagging, sample collection, and minor surgeries are ensured. Given the impracticality and high costs of having veterinarians in the field along with researchers, we advocate for accreditation pathways to empower ecologists to independently perform these important procedures, thereby improving the efficiency and sustainability of wildlife research.
Source: Australian Mammalogy
DOI: 10.1071/am24029
Authors: Gilad Bino, Tahneal Hawke
Institutions: UNSW Sydney, Taronga Conservation Society Australia
Language: English
Subfield: Small Animals
Field: Veterinary
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
OpenAlex ID: W4407776923