Above: The blood pressure of a lion is measured from a catheter in the dorsal metatarsal artery. The trace shows the pulse pressure wave form and the numbers indicate the measured pressures (S: systolic, M: mean, D: diastolic) and heart rate (HR). The pressure of this lion is elevated, which is an effect of the drug combinations used in this animal.

Above: The team with one of the 36 lions that was used in the study to assess the quality of induction, immobilization and recovery. From left to right are Prof Leith Meyer (Faculty of Veterinary Science), PhD candidate, Ashleigh Donaldson, Dr Peter Buss (SANParks), and Prof Andrea Fuller (Wits).

Left: Ashleigh Donaldson with one of the lions used for the study which forms part of her PhD. The overall objective was to improve the quality of the immobilization (anaesthesia) and recovery, and the safety of both the lions and people involved. Right: This photo not only shows the size of the lion's foot pads, but also the straps that are used to "hobble" the lion. Hobbling immobilized lions is very important to stop the animals from using their front paws to grab someone if they happen to wake up too soon.