The Capture, Care and Management of Wildlife by Mike La Grange

A comprehensive handbook that bridges the gap between field-testing and scientific literature regarding game capture and animal translocation.

It is widely considered one of the first detailed publications focusing heavily on operational logistics, animal behavior, and stress prevention to minimize fatal conditions like capture myopathy.

Historically, game capture knowledge was mostly unwritten and fiercely guarded by field professionals.

While most textbooks only offer a brief overview of the trade, Mike La Grange compiles real-world, field-tested methodologies to give wildlife managers, students, and veterinarians a highly detailed, practical manual. The text places a strong emphasis on understanding how wild animals cope with the stress of restraint, motor vehicles, and human presence to dramatically increase survival rates during relocation.
Book Structure and Key Chapters
The publication systematically breaks down the entire capture lifecycle across 15 structured chapters:

Operations & Ethics:
Covers ethical considerations in wildlife management and the extensive pre-planning required for safe operations.

Chemical Capture:
Details the specific drugs used for immobilisation, delivery systems (such as dart guns), and standard field darting procedures.

Mass & Species Techniques:
Breaks down mass capture mechanics alongside specialized strategies for large herbivores, plains game, and carnivores.

Logistics & Transport:
Focuses on specialized loading equipment, transport vehicles, and the strategic use of helicopters.

Holding Facilities:
Dedicated sections on constructing temporary bomas and executing successful boma management protocols.