CHAPTER
12
DART PROJECTORS
Michael D. Kock, Dave Jessup and Pete Morkel
Introduction
Figure 12.1: Dan-Inject JM2 CO2 dart gun
To inject immobilization and treatment drugs at ranges of 1,5–60 m (5–200 feet), dart projectors, also known as
dart guns, are used. There are a number of makes and designs available. There is no ‘best’ dart projector. Each of
the various makes and models is designed for specific ranges and uses and each has strengths and weaknesses.
Some simple types are more durable than others, but are often not adjustable, and may have limited accuracy
over various ranges. Prices range from just under US$200 (approximately R1 400) to over US$2 500 (>R20 000).
The type of dart projector you choose should be dictated by the intended species, dart size, darting distance
and other factors. A short-range pistol-style projector is of little use for free-ranging antelope; an expensive and
complicated adjustable dart gun is of little value when darting primates in cages.
12.1 PALMER CAP-CHUR® EQUIPMENT
DART PROJECTORS
One of first and most common dart projectors in use
Contact details
has been the Cap-Chur brand made by Palmer CapPalmer Cap-Chur Equipment, Inc.
Chur, Georgia, USA. This was the first commercially
Postal address: P.O. Box 867, Douglasville, GA 30133-0867 USA
available system and for a long while the only system
available in North America and Africa. It dominated the
Physical address: 421 Tidwell Road, Powder Springs, GA 30127
market in the 1970s to 1980s. The original models were
Tel: 1-770-942-4395
www.palmercap-chur.com
modified inexpensive 28 gauge single-shot shotguns.
Fax: 1-770-874-7339 or 770-949-3562
Other rifle makers and systems have provided many
International sales: 1-800-294-9482
innovations and improvements on the old Cap-Chur
equipment. Because they are common and as most Cap-Chur syringe and rifle parts are interchangeable, service is
available locally as well as through the manufacturer. Cap-Chur projectile darts are used in many other .50 calibre guns.
This system is still used by many wildlife professionals in southern Africa. Although Cap-Chur dart projectors have a
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Chemical and Physical Restraint of Wild Animals
Figure 12.4: Elephant on the Kafue River, Kafue National Park, Zambia
12.2 PNEU-DART® EQUIPMENT
Pneu-Dart was established in 1967 in Pennsylvania, USA, and originally sold only guns that shot small plastic
bullets containing succinylcholine. It subsequently expanded and diversified, and now sells a wide range of
darting and capture equipment. The dart-delivery system appears to have as good a range and accuracy as any
projector currently available. Pneu-Dart’s small, plastic syringe darts fly straight and flat and can be effectively
grouped at up to 100 m but 1 ml darts do have a tendency to be unstable and tumble. The liquid-injecting
Pneu-Dart is discussed in Chapter 11 and we find them to be accurate and dependable. The Pneu-Dart system
has become very popular in southern Africa.
Figure 12.5: Pneu-Dart X-Calibre gas-powered dart projector
DART PROJECTORS
CO2 cartridge adapter
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Chemical and Physical Restraint of Wild Animals
a
Short barrel suitable
for boma work or
helicopter darting
Long (11 mm) barrel
suitable for field work.
A .50 calibre barrel is
available (13 mm)
red dot scope
adaptor for smaller CO2 cartridge
72 g
CO2 power
pressure dial
adjuster
0–16 bar
pressure dial
0–16 bar
16 g
b
Dan-Inject
loaded from rear
Figure 12.9a: Dan-Inject JM
Special dart projector. Note
different barrel configurations,
which also vary in calibre, which
makes the JM a very versatile dart
gun, b. Loading a Dan-inject dart
into the JM from the rear
DART PROJECTORS
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Chemical and Physical Restraint of Wild Animals
Figure 12.14: Male Kalahari lion and cubs, CKGR, Botswana
attendant equipment. Some groups have chosen to buy a Cap-Chur pistol and an extra-long-range projector
‘just in case’. Remember that with ground darting, especially in thick bush or forest, you often have very
little time to adjust to a changing situation, which makes the CO2 adjustable rifles such as Dan-Inject more
suitable. The better choices appear to be either a simple short- to medium-range system for limited work in
confinement or one of the dart guns with variable porting to allow one gun to be used at many ranges, and
with changeable barrels (11 and 13 mm).
Experience with most of these dart projectors has revealed advantages and disadvantages to each of them.
Suffice it to say, if one is going to invest up to R20 000 or more in dart guns and darting equipment, it
behooves one to become much more familiar with the options than can be covered in this text. In the editor’s
opinion, if two dart guns were to be chosen to cover most situations in free-ranging wildlife work, a PneuDart powder charge gun (Model 389 or X-Calibre) and Dan-Inject (JM2 special with 11 mm and 13 mm barrel)
would be the dart guns of choice.
REFERENCES
Kock, R.A. 1985. Remote Injection Systems: science and art. Vet. Record.
DART PROJECTORS
Remember: There is a science and an art to darting wild animals; the former can be taught and the later
takes practice.
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