Loading, Transport & Unloading of Game - WildlifeCampus · 2019-11-28 · Loading, Transport &...

– Capture, Care & Management of Wildlife Course

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Loading, Transport & Unloading of Game

Module 12 - Component 1


Introduction

The loading, transportation and unloading of wildlife are important to the successful

conclusion of any wildlife translocation. In this Component, procedures and

techniques for limiting stress throughout the process are provided, based on solid

experience in the field. The loading, transportation and unloading of wild animals are

by far the most critical parts of any capture exercise. At the same time, these

management actions are the easiest, despite the fact that it is certainly the time

during which the animals are most stressed, as they are trapped and unable to

escape. It is more often the case that there is inadequate control of the animals during

this phase of the capture operation. In the boma, before entering the crush, the

animals usually escape if there is insufficient control, something they were unable to

do during loading and while being transported.




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Any improvement in techniques or facilities must always be encouraged in a constant

quest to reduce stress in the animals wherever possible. All too often, this aspect of

capture is overlooked, resulting in animals being caught before sufficient thought has

been given to where they are going and the means and availability of transport to

get them there. The smooth operation depends on foreseeing potential problems so

that provision can be made for them before they occur during capture, as deaths at

this stage are mostly unnecessary. The ability to anticipate potential problems is largely

dependent on past experience. The principle of maintaining complete control of the

animals at all stages to prevent stress is most apparent during the phase of loading

and transportation.




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Loading wild animals

When undertaking small, individual darting exercises, the anaesthetised animal is

usually carried to a vehicle and loaded using a net or an improvised steel stretcher.

Provided the distance involved in moving the anaesthetised animal to a central

loading place is not too great, the animal may be transported in its anaesthetised

state. If not, it must be transferred to a crate and the narcotic drug reversed before

transporting the animal. It is important that blindfolds be used on the animals until the

drug is reversed, so as to protect their eyes. Once the animal is placed in the crate, it

may be quieted down with a tranquilliser appropriate to the species and situation, and

then transported as soon as possible to the site of release.

For large ungulates such as buffalo and eland bulls, loading without specialised

equipment should be discouraged. It should rather be done with a special crate and

Hi-AB crane facility. Individual small antelope, irrespective of how they are caught –

either by a dazzling light at night or in a net boma – should be restrained, blindfolded

and tranquillised immediately upon capture and placed into suitable individual crates

for transportation under long-acting tranquillisation. In large mass boma captures, a

great deal of experience is necessary to ensure that the operation runs smoothly.

Generally, the animals should be loaded immediately upon capture except when

they have been severely pushed when it is better to have them rest a while before

loading. The solid crush provides well for this purpose in that the animals are confined

and can be rested at the ramp base, thus placing little further exertion on them when

loading.




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The advantage of placing the animals in the crush immediately rather than resting

them overnight in the boma is that they are unaccustomed to the boma design and

generally respond favourably, moving through it easily in a bid to escape. When rested

for some time, particularly overnight or even longer, they quickly sum up the situation.

They establish a routine movement within the main section of the boma where they

continually circle thereafter. Even when the next curtain is opened to push them

forward, they usually run past it, back and around, rather than passing through. More

pressure is then required in terms of beaters, which can have an adverse effect on the

animals. They may start breaking through the ranks of the beaters, quickly becoming

stressed. If this happens, the character of the boma needs to be changed slightly by

introducing additional curtains to discourage the animals from circling.

Depending on the boma design, animals freshly caught usually run through the boma

gates, through the crush and directly onto the truck. The probability of this occurring

depends on the ability of the operator to anticipate the reaction of the captured

animals upon entering the boma, determining areas where they may challenge the

plastic, which would prevent them from moving through smoothly. Avoid having any

sudden sharp bends in the boma sides that result in the plastic extending directly

across the anticipated route of the animals running up the boma. There should also

be no sudden change in colour tone, and even the crush should be painted in a similar

colour to the plastic.




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Once the animals are secured in the crush, they are more easily coaxed forward from

above the crush sides, using plastic sheeting from the top. If they become reluctant to

move up the ramp, two or three people may enter the crush area from behind the

animals through the staff entrance gates and gently push them up the ramp, using

plastic or a push board. Loading animals can be dangerous, with a real possibility of

people being kicked, bitten or even gored, and therefore only experienced personnel

should participate at this point. If necessary, plastic sheeting can be used to herd

impala, whereas a push board from galvanised iron or block board, in conjunction

with the plastic, is used for other species. This arrangement should be moved slowly

forward towards the animals, forcing them up the ramp and into the crate.

Occasionally, the animals may double back past the board or even over it. The

loading team then quickly moves to one side, using the boards as a shield, moving in

“crab style” back to the rear.

They allow the animals to run back past them before swinging around and back

behind the animals again to push them forward. It is important not to panic or leave

the security of the board. Apart from being dangerous to the operators, it can be

extremely stressful to the animals. Using the right ramp and crush design, loading is

most often achieved without having to enter the crush at all, even when loading the

more dangerous species, such as buffalo and giraffes. When capturing buffalo,

however, under no circumstance should people be inside the crush with the animals,

as they are too dangerous and will immediately attack. Usually, the animals can be

loaded easily from the top of the crush, using plastic. However, should they become

stubborn, they may be forced forward in the crush, using a motorised solid board

mounted to the front of the chase vehicle, as described earlier. This doubles as the

rear gate as the unit enters the crush, gently forcing the animals up the ramp into the

truck.




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Depending on the number of animals brought forward for loading each time, buffalo

soon will challenge the board and they either attack it or simply lie down and ignore

any further attempts to load them. This problem can be alleviated to a degree by

using an electric prodder or rope, if necessary; however, even these measures will

eventually be challenged. A stalemate situation is best overcome by leaving the area,

allowing the animals to rest before attempting to load them again. When large herds

of antelope too numerous for one or two loads are placed in a boma, they should be

divided into more manageable groups. Plastic sheeting is used to this end, supported

from overhead cables pulled either by hand or by the chase vehicle if dealing with

buffalo. Buffalo, in particular, are intimidated by plastic sheeting and rarely challenge

it.

Most species load reasonably easily. However, kudu and waterbuck tend to jump into

corners, resulting in heightened stress and injury to themselves. Zebra are notorious for

biting and kicking, which must be guarded against. Sable, roan and gemsbok will

quickly challenge the loading board, but they can usually be backed up the ramp

into the truck, provided not too much pressure is placed on them. If they are

pressurised, they will kneel and fight off the board. Wildebeest can be a problem in

narrow ramps as they occasionally turn in the ramp, blocking it and preventing access

by other individuals. However, with patience, they can be loaded without too much

trauma. For this reason, a wide ramp, particularly one with a wide base converging in

width to the top, is preferred over a parallel design, which is quickly blocked by

wildebeest.




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Loading impala can be a problem and rather than using a loading board, plastic

sheeting on its own works better. Species like tsessebe should be caught and treated

with depot neuroleptics in the crush and allowed to rest to gain the full effects of

tranquillisation before they are loaded. Depending on the condition of the animals,

they can be confined in the ramp areas, quickly caught and then bundled into

individual crates after a tranquilliser, such as Haloperidol, has been administered.

Some species are best crated individually, and this can be achieved by moving the

truck forward and loading one crate at a time through the ramp. Alternatively, the

animals may be forced into a line of crates set up end to end, each of which can be

closed off once the animals settle into individual crates. Instead, they are best caught

using a net boma right from the start and then crated individually.

When bulk-loading, once the required number of animals has entered the truck, either

the crate door or the ramp door is closed, depending on which door is easiest to

operate. When modified cattle crates are used, the door arrangement is usually rather

complicated. Consequently, it is better to close in the animals initially using the ramp

door. Thereafter, the door of the truck can be secured using a temporary board

lowered from the top, before finally moving the vehicle from the ramp and then

closing the crate doors and the drop side. The number of animals loaded in a crate

depends on the size of the crate and the species being caught. The importance of

not overloading cannot be emphasised enough, as overloading invariably leads to

heavy mortalities. As a rule of thumb, in the standard 5–7-ton cattle truck-type crate,

15–17 sable, wildebeest or tsessebe may be loaded, or ten zebra or eland. Some 35

impala may be comfortably loaded in a crate of this kind.




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A number of bulls of species known to fight in confinement, such as kudu, eland and

waterbuck, can be quickly separated and secured in separate compartments,

provided that this information is communicated early in the drive to qualified

personnel at the crush and the correct equipment is in place. Qualified personnel then

stand by to separate the animals quickly into individual compartments soon after they

enter the crate. After they have entered the crate, there is generally a few minutes of

confusion before the animals become aware that they are trapped, and they

commence attacking one another. Separating them before this happens will prevent

injury by horning.

The above scenario is the main reason why our latest mass crate has been designed

with partition doors to be operated from the top, with large hatches above each

compartment to facilitate supervision. Using this system, the person observing the bulls

entering can also close the partition doors from above to take full advantage of the

confusion while it lasts. In practice, this manoeuvre is easier than imagined, as the

animals move about in the crate in their bewilderment, seeking a way of escape

before concentrating on one another. Their movement between compartments lends

itself well to separation. As soon as the partition doors are closed, the animals are

tranquillised. If there are several animals per compartment, their horns may also be

piped quickly before they begin to attack each other.




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Transporting wild animals

Although the responsibility of transporting the captured animals technically lies with

the transporter, poor transportation will always be blamed on the operator. It is

generally better to refuse to load the animals into poor transport than to take a

chance, even if the recipient absolves the operator of all responsibility, as the

reputation of the operator will be at stake in the long run. Alternative transport should

be made available to the recipient, even if at greater cost, to provide for the

wellbeing of the animals in the end. Crate design is important, as discussed in detail

under the relevant subsections in Module # 10. The need for proper crate construction

cannot be overemphasised, as improperly designed crates invariably have

inadequate ventilation and space and are insecure, increasing stress to the already

traumatised animals. The danger of overloading has been discussed.

It is important to ensure that good bedding of rubber mats, soil or sawdust is placed in

the crate beforehand to prevent the animals from slipping, which is almost always

fatal. When soil is used, it should be slightly moistened to reduce dust, which otherwise

alarms the animals and can initiate respiratory problems. Wetting the floor also helps

to cool the animals down later as the moisture evaporates. The best solution for flooring

is a mat base from vehicle tyre material, made specifically for the crates. On top of

the base, grass bedding is placed rather than soil, which is heavy and corrosive to the

crates and equipment. Depending on the species and circumstances, the use of

depot neuroleptics is essential. Anaesthetised animals should always be completely

reversed in the crates, unless under constant surveillance and maintained in a sternal

recumbent position. Once the animals have been loaded into bulk crates and the

door has been closed, the truck engine starting up will help to calm them. It is not

known whether the calming effect results directly from the engine noise or from the

vibration it causes underfoot, but it is evident, nevertheless. The crate door should be

secured, and the truck sent on its way with minimum delay.




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Although it is important to avoid delays and get the truck moving as soon as possible,

it is more important to ensure that the animals have been properly sorted before they

are sent on their way. For instance, adult males of species like kudu, eland, waterbuck

and impala should already have been separated from the herd during loading to

prevent horning. It is generally a fallacy to think that fighting among the captured

animals will eventually cease once the truck is moving. Where there is a problem,

identify the culprits and sort out the problem through separation between

compartments and tranquillisation. If this not possible, or is not working, unload the

animals back into the crush to calm them down before reloading. Often, the animals

are too hot and require an opportunity to cool down before being reloaded. A sturdy

crush will rule out any chance of escape. Possibly the only species that may be

transported while not quite settled, is zebra. However, fighting among zebra may have

resulted from inadvertently mixing individuals from another herd during the helicopter

drive. This problem will not be resolved until those individuals have been separated.

It is important that the driver is sufficiently experienced, if not with game transport, then

certainly with movement of general livestock, to ensure minimum disturbance of the

animals during transit. Any sudden acceleration, braking or swerving must be avoided

altogether. Every few hours the vehicle should stop for routine tyre checks and allow

the animals to stretch and urinate. Some species, for example, sable, lie down as soon

as the vehicle starts moving and they should be encouraged to stand for a few

minutes during stopovers on prolonged journeys. They may require stimulation to stand

to prevent lameness later on. These stops should be no longer than 5–10 minutes and

never alongside a noisy place such as a bar or garage. Under no circumstances

should bystanders be allowed to climb up onto the crates to view the animals.




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In hot weather, transportation is best carried out at night to reduce heat, stress and

noise. Should the truck have to stop for any length of time, wherever possible a large,

shady tree should be sought to keep the animals cool. Transportation can take place

over several hours or even days. Provided that the crates are not overloaded, the

animals are comfortable and there are no major setbacks, they should arrive at the

other end probably a little stiff, but in reasonable condition. It is imperative to obviate

the possibility of breakdowns and unnecessary holdups during transportation. The

vehicle must be fitted with good tyres and must be sufficiently maintained to be able

to start up without needing to be pushed. A good spare tyre, preferably two, should

be available with the necessary spanner and jack to reduce standing time.

The vehicle should be fitted with long-range fuel tanks or fuel in drums that can be

siphoned off to ensure adequate fuel for the entire journey. The driver, who should be

reliable and a non-drinker, should be armed with a written note providing information

on, and directions for, the intended journey. He or she must be provided with contact

numbers of people to contact in case of an emergency along the way. The driver

should also be provided with a cash float sufficient for purchasing fuel, repairing

punctures, or making relevant telephone calls in the event of a breakdown.




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Where possible, two drivers should accompany the animals on journeys in excess of

twenty hours. They can change every four hours to reduce fatigue and therefore limit

the possibility of a driver falling asleep at the wheel. By law, immediately after loading,

the animals have to be sprayed with an acaricide, preferably one of the pyrethroids

such as Deadline®. Alternatively, a recognised drench dip using a standard backpack

sprayer may be employed, or the chemical dripped through drip lines secured above

the animals in the design of the crate. The latter method is preferred, as water can be

introduced thereafter to cool the animals down in the event of vehicle breakdown or

some other delay. Where serious problems occur in the crate during transportation,

for example, if an animal collapses, there is very little one can do but to continue with

the journey. Certainly, it is not advisable to enter the crate to try and render assistance

to the animal. Prevention is always better rather than trying to remedy problems after

they have occurred.

Where an adult bull is repeatedly attacking other animals in the crate, it immediately

should be tranquillised using Azaperone, or separated if possible. Care must be taken

not to overdo this, as the other animals will trample the tranquillised animal if it goes

down. It is extremely important to offload the animals immediately on arrival at their

destination. Too often farmers are still trying to finish the boma when the animals arrive.

Due to the delay in unloading, the vehicle has to stand for some time, which can result

in a significant loss of animals at this stage, particularly aggressive animals like tsessebe

and zebra. It is extremely important to avoid this situation when waterbuck, kudu and

impala are being transported. When left overnight, they tend to jump at the light gaps

in the crate, particularly during the dawn twilight.




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Unloading animals from crates

Generally, this aspect of capture is the easiest and the least stressful, unless the animals

have to be physically manhandled out of the truck. Where possible, manhandling

should be avoided, and the truck left at the ramp to allow the animals to vacate it at

their leisure when all is quiet. Animals like sable and gemsbok are particularly reluctant

to leave the security of the crate to which they have become accustomed, but

eventually, they will proceed out if left undisturbed. If the animals are still lying down,

they should nevertheless be aroused onto their feet to improve blood circulation.

Crates with large doors at the rear are more suited for unloading, as exposing the

animals to a large opening makes them less inclined to remain inside the truck. They

can be encouraged to move out with little effort from the front side-loading door,

pushing them out through the back using plastic or a push board. Although it is not

advisable to manhandle the animals, this is sometimes unavoidable due to the short

turnaround time of the truck or when the animals have become lame from the journey.

Under these circumstances, usually, only one or two animals have to be removed,

where after the remainder quickly follow. Noise should be kept to an absolute

minimum during unloading. Spectators should be discouraged, giving the animals the

best possible chance to settle down.




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The boma should be well prepared beforehand in terms of food and water, in order

to prevent unnecessary entrance into the boma or disturbance during the first two

days of occupancy. This is vital, as the animals must be given the chance to establish

themselves in their new surroundings, where they will quickly settle down, drink and

commence feeding. Animals may be free-released depending on the requirement of

the farmers, although the author is a strong advocate of using a boma before final

release. Free release has been largely unsuccessful and should only be considered on

large properties where water and food are abundant and where disturbance by

humans is minimal.

Forcing animals to jump from the truck without using a ramp is extremely foolish, as it

can lead to broken legs and increased trauma. Where a ramp is not available, a

portable one can be made from angle iron with a timber floor, which can be dragged

up against the truck for unloading. Once the animals are released into the boma, the

ramp can immediately be dragged out again. It is not necessary to have sides to the

ramp, provided, of course, that it is within the security of the boma fence. The animals

generally run directly away from the truck, down the ramp and seldom off the side.

Alternatively, grain bags or grass bales may be piled up against the crate. Animals

may be released from individual crates in a similar fashion. Either the crate is placed

on the ground, or the entrance ramp is placed against the crate and individual

animals are encouraged to run down it. The small trailer or ramp unit described earlier

can be used effectively for this purpose. Once the animals have been released, the

boma gate should be secured and the area vacated to allow them to settle down

peacefully.

A general rule of thumb for the introduction of game is:

Veld to veld

Boma to boma

Boma to veld

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Loading, Transport & Unloading of Game - WildlifeCampus · 2019-11-28 · Loading, Transport &...

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