Peter E Buss

BVSc, MMedVet(fer), PhD

 Affiliate in the Centre for Veterinary Wildlife Studies

Research Sub-theme

Investigating physiological responses in immobilized wildlife and developing immobilizing drug combinations which mitigate negative cardiorespiratory outcomes.

Much of our understanding of the drugs and drug combinations used in the immobilization of African wildlife is anecdotal in natural. To reduce morbidity and mortality effects in immobilized animals, especially in those species that are endangered, there is a requirement to understand the physiological impacts of these drugs so that management interventions and, or, drug selections and dosages can be modified.

Research Projects

• Cardiopulmonary effects of etorphine-based drug combinations in boma-habituated vs. free-ranging white rhinoceros.
• Respiratory gas flow characteristics of trunk versus tracheal intubated spontaneously breathing African elephant.
• Pharmacological management of stress and its pathophysiological consequences during the transport of free-ranging white rhinoceros (Ceratotherium simum)