Field sedation and anesthesia, also known as chemical immobilization, is a critical skill for personnel working with wildlife. To maintain proficiency and ensure the highest standards of animal and human safety, DEC staff who may be involved in chemical immobilization complete a full training course every few years and participate in annual refresher sessions.
In May 2025, the New York State Wildlife Health Program hosted the first New York–specific Chemical Immobilization Training for DEC biologists and Environmental Conservation Officers. In preparation for this inaugural event, the CI Working Group—comprising Dr. Jenny Bloodgood, DEC biologists, and Division of Law Enforcement personnel—reviewed and updated the Chemical Immobilization Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) and the Quick Guide to better support staff during field operations.
The 1.5-day training, led by Dr. Bloodgood, began with didactic lectures at Cornell University’s College of Veterinary Medicine, followed by a hands-on lab at Reynolds Game Farm. Classroom sessions covered the rationale for chemical immobilization, regulations governing controlled substances, common drugs and dosage calculations, equipment use and maintenance, animal care, and human safety. The practical component allowed participants to practice range exercises with various projectors, use pole syringes, draw up and load drugs into darts, and safely remove darts from animals.
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This comprehensive training provided attendees with both the foundational knowledge and practical skills necessary to safely and effectively perform chemical immobilization of wildlife in the field.