Evaluation of ballistics euthanasia applied to stranded cetaceans using ethological and post-mortem computed tomography assessment

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dc.citation.volumeOpen Access
dc.contributor.authorBoys RM
dc.contributor.authorKot BCW
dc.contributor.authorLye G
dc.contributor.authorBeausoleil NJ
dc.contributor.authorHunter S
dc.contributor.authorStockin KA
dc.coverage.spatialSwitzerland
dc.date.accessioned2024-10-03T20:28:07Z
dc.date.available2024-10-03T20:28:07Z
dc.date.issued2024-09-17
dc.description.abstractDebilitated stranded cetaceans with low survival likelihood, may require euthanasia to avoid further suffering. Euthanasia can involve chemical or physical methods, including ballistics. Ballistics should cause instantaneous, permanent insensibility through brainstem disruption. Despite wide application, there is limited understanding of ballistics-related welfare outcomes. We opportunistically examined behaviour of three maternally-dependent cetaceans following shooting and the related cranial disruption post-mortem using computed tomography (PMCT). Our aim was to understand whether a 'humane death', i.e., euthanasia, was achieved. Each animal was shot using different projectile types: soft non-bonded, solid, and soft bonded. In two animals, insensibility was not immediately assessed following shooting, although both were reported as 'instantaneously insensible'. From our analysis, all animals displayed musculoskeletal responses to shooting, including peduncle stiffening and slack lower jaw, followed by musculature relaxation 24-, 10.3- and 20.8-seconds post-ballistics, respectively. The animal shot with a soft non-bonded projectile also displayed agonal convulsions and tail-lifting for 16-seconds post-shot; these were not observed for solid or soft bonded projectiles. PMCT findings indicated projectile disruption to the brainstem and/or spinal cord likely to cause near-instantaneous insensibility. However, extra-cranial wounding was also evident for the soft non-bonded projectile, highlighting potential for additional welfare compromise. Our results demonstrate that ballistics can achieve a relatively rapid death in young, stranded cetaceans, but careful equipment selection is required. To ensure a humane death, verification of insensibility must be undertaken immediately following shooting. Further studies should be undertaken to improve knowledge of appropriate procedures and equipment for euthanasia, ensuring humane deaths for compromised cetaceans.
dc.description.confidentialfalse
dc.edition.edition2024
dc.identifier.author-urlhttps://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/39287893
dc.identifier.citationBoys RM, Kot BCW, Lye G, Beausoleil NJ, Hunter S, Stockin KA. (2024). Evaluation of ballistics euthanasia applied to stranded cetaceans using ethological and post-mortem computed tomography assessment.. Vet Res Commun. Open Access.
dc.identifier.doi10.1007/s11259-024-10537-3
dc.identifier.eissn1573-7446
dc.identifier.elements-typejournal-article
dc.identifier.issn0165-7380
dc.identifier.pii10.1007/s11259-024-10537-3
dc.identifier.urihttps://mro.massey.ac.nz/handle/10179/71594
dc.languageeng
dc.publisherSpringer Nature
dc.publisher.urihttps://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11259-024-10537-3
dc.relation.isPartOfVet Res Commun
dc.rights(c) 2024 The Author/s
dc.rightsCC BY 4.0
dc.rights.urihttps://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
dc.subjectBehaviour
dc.subjectEuthanise
dc.subjectInsensibility
dc.subjectOdontocete
dc.subjectStranding
dc.subjectWelfare
dc.titleEvaluation of ballistics euthanasia applied to stranded cetaceans using ethological and post-mortem computed tomography assessment
dc.typeJournal article
pubs.elements-id491557
pubs.organisational-groupOther
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