Capture and relocation is commonly used to reintroduce Rio Grande wild turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo intermedia). However, isotonic muscle contraction during the capture and restraint process reduces blood flow to muscles and may induce the stress related disease, capture myopathy. The goal of this study was to determine if intramuscular injections of vitamin E and selenium could be an effective treatment for capture myopathy. Survival rates and enzyme levels did not differ between the control and treatment group. Results suggest that vitamin E and selenium injections do not significantly improve survival of wild turkeys when trapped and relocated under conditions experienced in this study. Factors such as handling time relative to rate of enzyme secretion, trapping techniques employed, and possible nutrient deficiencies may have influenced the results of this study.
