Ethics Guidelines
Part A - Guidelines for Projects Involving Work on Free-Living Vertebrates
Section 2 - Killing Seals and Bird
2.1 Killing Seal
It is recommended that any person likely to be confronted with the need to kill animals should read the Report of the AVMA (American Veterinary Medical Association) Panel on Euthanasia. This document raises the ethical issues and reviews methods available for euthanasia of domestic and wild species.
2.1.1 Shooting
Shooting is an effective means of humane killing and can only be conducted by a legally licensed field worker.
It is recommended that only a rifle with a calibre of .222, or greater be used and that one or two practice shots be fired to confirm its accuracy. The use of a .22 rifle is not recommended, nor is a pistol of any calibre unless the field worker is not only skilled with its use but has also practised with that weapon on a target. A shotgun may be used if it is loaded with heavy shot (larger than size 1) or with a single slug. Again, the field worker must be skilled in its use and have practised with that weapon. A seal must only be killed by being shot in the head to destroy the brain - do not attempt to shoot it in the heart. Aim may be taken at either the side of the head, close to but behind the eye, or on top of the head midway between the eyes but 5-10 cms to the rear. The shot should be fired as close to the target as possible without prior disturbance to the animal but care should be taken that there are no large rocks beyond, which could cause a ricochet.
After the animal has been shot an artery in the neck should be opened with a sharp knife to ensure that the animal is dead and not just stunned. An incision in the mid-line of the chest, followed by severing the great arteries is also effective.
Note: Certain weapons must not be taken into Antarctica or the sub-Antarctic islands without the necessary authorisation in accordance with the Weapons Ordinance 2001 which governs the possession and use of weapons in the Australian Antarctic Territory (AAT) and the Territory of Heard Island and the McDonald Islands (HIMI). Further information is available at http://www.aad.gov.au/environment/permits/weapon.asp Penalties apply for contravention of this requirement. Please contact the Permits Officer for details. It should be noted that before any weapons can be taken onboard the ship, the approval of the vessel's Master must also be obtained.
2.1.2 Overdose of anaesthetic
Chemical euthanasia usually involves the intravenous (IV) administration of sodium pentobarbitone but, if necessary, can be achieved with a gross overdose of an intramuscular anaesthetic agent. In young pups intracardiac injection may be achieved with less duress to the animal, depending upon the skill or knowledge of the operator.
Unless the seal is weak or moribund, physical restraint and IV access can normally only be achieved safely and without distress in immature phocids and, depending upon the skill of the operators, in female and immature otariids. For seals other than these the procedure should be as follows- A generous dose of an intramuscular sedative/ anaesthetic should be administered and allowed time to take full effect. The required dose of pentobarbitone should then be administered IV or, if a sufficiently long needle (30cm or greater, depending upon species) is available, intracardiac. Where peripheral circulation is compromised (shock, dive response, very deep anaesthesia) intracardiac injection is often more effective.
Death should be confirmed before the operator leaves the site.
2.2 Killing Birds
All birds can be euthanased by an intravenous or intraperitoneal injection of sodium pentobarbitone (Lethabarb). The dose should be at least 1 ml per 100 grams. Do not inject into other tissues. For larger birds such as penguins, giant petrels and albatrosses the technique is facilitated by first anaesthetising the bird using halothane by inhalation. Following anaesthetic induction sodium pentobarbitone should be given intravenously.
It is imperative that the death be confirmed by the absence of vital signs (cessation of breathing and heart beat plus loss of corneal reflex, (ie the bird does not blink when the cornea is touched). An animal in deep narcosis may appear dead but might eventually recover. If doubt exists ensure death of the unconscious animal by methods such as bleeding (exsanguination) or injection of potassium chloride into the heart or decapitation.
The carcass should be disposed of in a fashion that prevents the intoxication of scavenging birds by ingestion of the drug contaminated carcass.
(ASP & C) May 2002Next Chapter
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