Chemical Capturing of Nyalas

I had the opportunity to assist in chemical game capture. The objective was to capture three Nyala bulls for relocation so that we can bring new blood/DNA onto the farm. I helped with the preparation for the capture in terms of:

1. Cleaning and checking of equipment.
2. Cleaning and checking of trailer and boma in which they were to be kept until they are relocated.
3. Locating and identifying the animals to be captured.

When we had located and identified the Nyala that we wanted to capture, the vet darted it. We then followed it at a safe distance of between 30 and 50 meters so that we do not lose it, as this could result in things like:

1. It falling into a rut or hole and breaking any bone.
2. It falling onto a sharp edge of a rock or tree stump, causing injury to itself.
3. As soon as the sleeping drug starts to take effect the animal is confused. This in turn causes the animal to get aggressive, that is why you must follow in such a way that you are always safe and always have an escape route.
   

When the Nyala is on the verge of falling we close in and trip it. the advantage of doing this is that we can then choose where it fall which is safer for the animal. the disadvantage is that we are in the Nyalas striking zone, so we need to be extra careful.

Sig and the vet ran after the Nyalas and i drove the vechile to the place where they would catch it. this is because we were catching them between the chalets and there are bushes in between the buildings.
After we have caught the animal we load it onto the bakkie using a stretcher. when the animal is leaded and steady we keep it still by holding onto it. at the same time we need to keep its head upright and pull its tongue out of its mouth and let it hang out the side. this prevents it from blocking the airway and suffocating the Nyala.