Telinject Vario

TELINJECT - Veterinary Special Equipment GmbH · Rifle · In Production

Also known as: Telinject VARIO, Telinject G.U.T.50, VARIO G.U.T.50

Overview

The Telinject Vario is a German CO2-powered veterinary tranquilizer dart rifle used for the remote chemical immobilization of wildlife, zoo animals, and livestock. Rather than a lethal firearm, it launches a self-injecting projectile syringe (dart) propelled by adjustable compressed CO2 pressure, allowing a marksman to deliver anaesthetic, antibiotics, vitamins, or anthelminthics to an animal from a distance. Pressure is generated by a 16 g CO2 cartridge or a foot-powered air pump, and its breech-loading system permits quick reloading of the dart. Interchangeable 11 mm and 13 mm barrels accept syringe volumes from 1 to 20 ml, and continuously variable pressure regulation supports atraumatic, animal-friendly delivery at ranges of roughly 5 to 50 metres, extendable to about 70 metres for large animals.

Specifications

Weight (empty)2700 g (95.2 oz)
Overall Length1210 mm (47.64")
Height190 mm (7.48")
Width65 mm (2.56")
Action TypeGas Operated
Magazine Capacity1 rounds
Effective Range50 m (55 yd)
Maximum Range70 m (77 yd)
Barrel RiflingNone
Frame MaterialAluminum
Barrel MaterialAluminum
Stock MaterialSynthetic
FinishAnodized

Calibers

Features

Production

Production years: 1972-present

Telinject was founded in Germany in 1972 and has produced VARIO-line tele-injection equipment continuously; exact unit totals are not published.

Origin

Country of origin: Germany

Notes

The VARIO product line spans several delivery devices sharing common syringes and barrels, including the P1 and PL4 pistols, the rifle-style G.U.T.50 (Gas applicator for Universal Tele-injection), and the VARIO 5V. Specifications given here reflect the rifle-style G.U.T.50 configuration.

Background

Telinject pioneered low-impact pneumatic and blowpipe dart delivery in Germany from 1972, emphasising atraumatic 'humane' injection. VARIO-line equipment has seen field use in extreme environments from the Alaskan tundra to the tropics of central Africa and the deserts of the Arabian Peninsula.