Fifty-eight immobilizations were conducted using 21 lions (Panthera leo) and 4 drug combinations. The combinations used were ketamine-phencyclidine-promazine, xylazine-phencyclidine-promazine, xylazine-ketamine-phencyclidine-promazine, and tiletamine-zolazepam.
All 4 combinations produced only insignificant alterations to the lions′ acid-base balance during immobilization. Tiletamine-zolazepam-immobilized lions had rapid induction times, good muscle relaxation and freedom from convulsions. Lions immobilized with the other 3 combinations encountered long induction periods, muscle rigidity, vomiting, retching and convulsions.