Wildlife Handling & Chemical Immobilization
For Wildlife, Zoo, and Animal Control Professionals and Students
Global Wildlife Resources (GWR) provides 3-day live wildlife chemical capture courses with animals. These practical courses are the most current and extensive chemical immobilization courses in North America.
Dr. Mark customizes each course to meet the needs of the attendees and focuses on North American wildlife.
Support is available long after the course is complete with Dr. Mark's Monthly Q&A Wildlife Handling discussion sessions, emails, and phone consultations.
"After this training I feel much more confident in methods involved with chemical immobilization and with a more in-depth understanding of drug actions.
The knowledge of the instructor was very impressive and the attitude of "animal first" was refreshing and validating."
Martin Coker,
Wildlife Biologist
HANDS-ON LABS EACH DAY
Chemical Immobilization
Participants immobilize live animals
TPR Lab
Practice patient monitoring with live animals to prepare for chemical immobilization
Drug Delivery Systems
Opportunity to practice the most effective projectors (dartguns)
Needle & Syringe Skills
Building professional habits for practical field use and human safety
Blood Collection Training and Practice Station
Practice proper techniques for successful blood collection
Course Content Includes
- Drug Delivery Systems
- Immobilizing Drugs
- Drug Dose Calculations
- Five-Step Preparation for Field Operations
- Legal Responsibilities
- Patient Monitoring
- Sampling
- Veterinary Emergencies
- Euthanasia
- Human Safety
- Post Capture Assessment
- Monthly Live Q&A Sessions for all course attendees
- Class size is limited so register early!
- Places are reserved once payment is received
"My expectations were exceeded. I thought this would be a long, extremely technical course, but it was so interesting and informative. The course and examples given covered so many of my questions. The labs and the real-world experience of the teacher were so valuable in our learning process. I really enjoyed this course."
Ashley Gary,
Wildlife Biologist
2025 Live Training Courses
Wildlife Handling and Chemical Immobilization
Dates: April 29-May 1, 2025
Location: Yakama Nation, Toppenish WA
This course is hosted by Global Wildlife Resources
This 3-day course with live animals focuses on the field-based needs for chemical immobilization of captive and free-ranging wildlife in North America. It is the most current and extensive training you can receive.
This class is for state/federal/tribal wildlife professionals, college students, animal control officers, zoo & sanctuary caretakers, and exotic animal ranchers. Dr. Mark will customize each course to meet the specific needs of the attendees to build confidence, success, and safety with each animal handling.
Dr. Mark's instruction and advising is provided long after the course is complete.
Course Completed
Wildlife Handling and Chemical Immobilization
Dates: May 19-21, 2025
Location: Rose Lake Shooting Ranging, East Lansing, Michigan
This course is hosted by Global Wildlife Resources
This 3-day course with live animals focuses on the field-based needs for chemical immobilization of captive and free-ranging wildlife in North America. It is the most current and extensive training you can receive.
This class is for state/federal/tribal wildlife professionals, college students, animal control officers, zoo & sanctuary caretakers, and exotic animal ranchers. Dr. Mark will customize each course to meet the specific needs of the attendees to build confidence, success, and safety with each animal handling.
Dr. Mark's instruction and advising is provided long after the course is complete.
Wildlife Handling and Chemical Immobilization
Dates: June 3-5, 2025
Location: University of Wyoming campus, Laramie, WY
This course is hosted by Global Wildlife Resources
This 3-day course with live animals focuses on the field-based needs for chemical immobilization of captive and free-ranging wildlife in North America. It is the most current and extensive training you can receive.
This class is for state/federal/tribal wildlife professionals, college students, animal control officers, and zoo & sanctuary caretakers. Dr. Mark will customize each course to meet the specific needs of the attendees to build confidence, success, and safety with each animal handling.
Dr. Mark's instruction and advising is available long after the course is complete.
Wildlife Handling and Chemical Immobilization
Dates: September 23-25 (Tues-Thurs), 2025
Location: Wolf Haven International, Tenino WA
This course is hosted by Wolf Haven International
Registrations will open in Spring. Interested students can email Wolf Haven at
animalcare@wolfhaven.org in order to sign up to be notified when registration opens.
WOLF HAVEN INTERNATIONAL (Wolf Haven) is hosting a three-day wildlife handling and chemical immobilization course offered by Mark R. Johnson, DVM of Global Wildlife Resources. This course is one of the most extensive, current, and innovative chemical immobilization courses in North America, with hands-on labs each day including the immobilization of captive wolves. Space is limited!
Priority will be given to persons working with wildlife in the field or at captive wildlife facilities.
Dr. Johnson’s customized instruction will focus on the needs of researchers and managers to understand the skills and equipment associated with wildlife capture, physical restraint, and chemical immobilization.
On Monday before the course, Wolf Haven will host an optional day of presentations by wildlife professionals and lunch, followed by a guided visit to our wolf sanctuary. We strongly encourage you to take advantage of this educational and networking opportunity at no additional cost.
Price
To Be Determined
Wildlife Handling and Chemical Immobilization
Dates: October 14-16, 2025
Location: International Conservation Center, Fairhope Pennsylvania
This 3-day course with live animals focuses on the field-based needs for chemical immobilization of captive and free-ranging wildlife in North America. It is the most current and extensive training you can receive. Participants will chemically immobilize domestic goats which simulate deer and other ungulates.
This class is for state/federal/tribal wildlife professionals, zoo & sanctuary caretakers, college students, and animal control officers. Dr. Mark will customize each course to meet the specific needs of the attendees to build confidence, success, and safety with each animal handling.
Dr. Mark's instruction and advising is available long after the course is complete.
Lodging Options Available
"If you are traveling to the training from out of town, you have a couple of options for lodging. Somerset, PA has an array of hotels you can book for yourself. In addition, there are lodging options available at the International Conservation Center that can help you save both time and money. They have three bunk-style cabins with 8 bunks each, communal kitchen, fire pit, and shared bathrooms, all located at the top of a beautiful wooded hill available for $35 per person, per night. There is also a large up-scale house with double rooms available for $135 per room, per night. For more information and for booking, email Ayeshah Al-Humaidhi, the center director, at aalhumaidhi@pittsburghzoo.org.
$650- $785
Price
This Course Provides CE Hours For:
- The Wildlife Society Professional Development Program
- RACE Approved for Veterinarian and Veterinary Technicians
- Recognized by NACA for CEUs
Wildlife Handling and Chemical Immobilization
Dates: Dec. 2-4, 2025
Location: Fort Worth Nature Center, Fort Worth TX
This course is hosted by Global Wildlife Resource.
This 3-day course with live animals focuses on the field-based needs for chemical immobilization of captive and free-ranging wildlife in North America. It is the most current and extensive training you can receive. Participants will chemically immobilize domestic goats which simulate deer and other ungulates.
This class is for state/federal/tribal wildlife professionals, college students, animal control officers, zoo & sanctuary caretakers, and exotic animal ranchers. Dr. Mark will customize each course to meet the specific needs of the attendees to build confidence, success, and safety with each animal handling. Dr. Mark's instruction and advising is available long after the course is complete.
This Course Provides CE Hours For:
The Wildlife Society Professional Development Program
RACE Approved for Veterinarian and Veterinary Technicians
Recognized by NACA for CEUs
$650- $785
Price
Future Courses by GWR's Dr. Mark Johnson
Additional 2025 courses are currently being created
and will be announced as details are finalized.
For updated information, visit our website often or signup for our
monthly newsletter
Would you like a course in your region?
Contact Dr. Mark
What if I can’t attend a live GWR course?
Sign up for Dr. Mark’s online course, “The Foundations of Wildlife Chemical Capture“
Take this online training at your own pace with Dr. Mark’s Interactive Support.
- Access is for a full year!
- 16 hours approved for TWS Professional Development Program and RACE approved
- Amazing demonstration videos and stunning images
- 150 page downloadable course notebook plus handouts
There is far more content here than in any other online course in chemical capture.
Would you like a College Student Discount for the Online Foundations Course? Learn More Here
