Implanting radio transmitters in wintering canvasbacks

Journal of Wildlife Management
By: , and 

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Abstract

To conduct telemetry studies of wintering canvasbacks (Aythya valisineria) on Chesapeake Bay [Maryland, USA], we needed to devise a suitable method of radio transmitter attachment. We describe as aseptic, intraabdominal surgical technique, using the inhalation anesthetic isoflurane, to implant 20-g radio transmitters in free-ranging canvasbacks. We evaluated the technique over 3 winters (1987-89), when an annual average of 83 female canvasbacks received implant surgery during a 9-day period in mid-December. Of 253 ducks, 248 (98%) were implanted successfully, and 200 (80.65) completed the 70-day study until early March. No mortality or abnormal behavior from surgery was identified post-release.

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Publication type Article
Publication Subtype Journal Article
Title Implanting radio transmitters in wintering canvasbacks
Series title Journal of Wildlife Management
DOI 10.2307/3808830
Volume 56
Issue 2
Year Published 1992
Language English
Publisher Wiley
Contributing office(s) National Wildlife Health Center, Patuxent Wildlife Research Center
Description 4 p.
First page 325
Last page 328
Country United States
State Maryland, Virginia
Other Geospatial Chesapeake Bay
Online Only (Y/N) N
Additional Online Files (Y/N) N
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