CAPTURING AND HANDLING CAPTURING AND HANDLING WILD ANIMALSWILD ANIMALS

Sanford D. Schemnitz1, Gordon R. Batcheller, Matthew J. Lovallo, H. Bryant White, and Michael W. Fall

1Department of Fishery and Wildlife SciencesNew Mexico State UniversityLas Cruces, NM 88003, USA

IntroductionIntroduction

►The art of capturing wild animals for food and clothing is as old as human existence on earth. However, in today’s world, reasons for catching wild species are more diverse.

►Millions of wild animals are captured each year as part of damage and disease control programs, population regulation activities, wildlife management efforts, and research studies.

Capture PermitsCapture Permits

► Before an animal can be Before an animal can be captured, the captured, the appropriate local (e.g., appropriate local (e.g., animal welfare), federal, animal welfare), federal, and/or state/provincial and/or state/provincial permits must be permits must be obtained.obtained.

► Capture of wildlife Capture of wildlife species is regulated by species is regulated by state/provincial wildlife state/provincial wildlife agencies. In addition, agencies. In addition, capture of migratory, capture of migratory, threatened, or threatened, or endangered species is endangered species is regulated by the federal regulated by the federal government.government.

Capturing Birds With NetsCapturing Birds With Nets

►Dip and throw nets►Mist nets►Dho Gaza nets►Bal-chatri, Noose

mats, and Halo traps

►Drop nets►Cannon and

rocket nets►Net guns►Bow nets►Helinet

Use of Dip NetsUse of Dip Nets

► Jon-boat showing Jon-boat showing positioning of night-lighting positioning of night-lighting equipment (bow rails, lights, equipment (bow rails, lights, converter box and converter box and generator) and personnel for generator) and personnel for capturing cormorants (from capturing cormorants (from King et al. 1994).King et al. 1994).

Placement of Mist NetsPlacement of Mist Nets

Mist net erected between Mist net erected between 2 live trees and 2 live trees and positioned in front of a positioned in front of a nest cavity (from Bull nest cavity (from Bull and Cooper 1996).and Cooper 1996).

Diagram of erected mist net set Diagram of erected mist net set at 45at 45oo angle to the ground. The angle to the ground. The elevated edge of the net should elevated edge of the net should face the path of approaching face the path of approaching birds (from Silvy and Robel birds (from Silvy and Robel 1969).1969).

Dho-gaza TrapDho-gaza Trap

► A large dho-gaza trap A large dho-gaza trap with a tethered great with a tethered great horned owl as an horned owl as an attractant may be used to attractant may be used to catch territorial adult catch territorial adult raptors. The inset shows raptors. The inset shows a clothespin attachment a clothespin attachment to a tape tab on a mist net to a tape tab on a mist net loop (from Bloom 1987).loop (from Bloom 1987).

Bal-chatri Traps and Noose MatsBal-chatri Traps and Noose Mats

Positioning of lead fences and noose-mats to capture wintering Positioning of lead fences and noose-mats to capture wintering shorebirds (from Mehl et al. 2003).shorebirds (from Mehl et al. 2003).

Noose carpets may be applied to branches and Noose carpets may be applied to branches and around burrowing owl nests (from Bloom 1987).around burrowing owl nests (from Bloom 1987).

The box-shaped bal-chatri is used for accipiters, The box-shaped bal-chatri is used for accipiters, buteos, and owls while the cone-shaped trap buteos, and owls while the cone-shaped trap functions best on kestrels and burrowing owls functions best on kestrels and burrowing owls (from Bloom 1987).(from Bloom 1987).

Bow NetsBow Nets

Radio-controlled eagle bow net. A = bow net opening, Radio-controlled eagle bow net. A = bow net opening, showing position of principal components; B = top showing position of principal components; B = top view,view,no springs; C = detail of spring-hinge-bow-channel no springs; C = detail of spring-hinge-bow-channel attachment; D = cross section detail of channel at triggerattachment; D = cross section detail of channel at trigger mount; and E = interior detail of trigger box (from mount; and E = interior detail of trigger box (from Jackman et al. 1994).Jackman et al. 1994).

Spring loaded trap for capturing incubating least terns and Spring loaded trap for capturing incubating least terns and snowy plovers (from Hill and Talent 1990).snowy plovers (from Hill and Talent 1990).

Cannon and Rocket NetsCannon and Rocket Nets

Photograph of cannon (left) and rocket nets (right) shortly after being fired. Note how front end of rocket net comes off the ground allowing taller animals to be trapped than could be accomplished with cannon net (Photo by N. J. Silvy).  

Helinet, Drop Net, Mist Net, and Drift Fence with Helinet, Drop Net, Mist Net, and Drift Fence with Walk-in Traps for Capturing Prairie-chickensWalk-in Traps for Capturing Prairie-chickens

Diagram of erected mist net set at 45o angle to the ground. The elevated edge of the net should face the path of approaching birds (from Silvy and Robel 1969).

A non-explosive drop net showing yoke assembly at the front of the net and the swivel snap-washer assembly for attaching net to back poles (from Silvy et al. 1990).

Helicopter with helinet attached to front of struts (Photo by N. J. Silvy).

Overhead view of lek walk-in designs used to capture lesser prairie-chickens (from Haukos et al. 1990).

Capturing Birds with Snares and Capturing Birds with Snares and Noose PolesNoose Poles

►Snares►Floating-fish snares ►Power snare ►Foot nooses ►Noose pole

A snare for capturing wildlife

Nest TrapsNest Traps

►Multi-capture nest box ►Walk-in duck nest trap ►Self-tripping nest trap ►Basket trap ►Double halo ►Hoop-net trap

Nest trapping box viewed from the rear with the back wall removed. A portion of the nest is removed to illustrate the position of the metal lever and the placement of the egg. A = pin around which the wooden door revolves; B = nail protruding from the wall which keeps the door aligned over the entrance; C = string; D = wooden lever (from Pribil 1997).

Box and Cage TrapsBox and Cage Traps

►Australian crow trap

►Sherman traps ►swim-in bait trap ►walk-in traps►Chardoneret Trap

Modified Chardoneret trap using a captive owl as lure. Owls flew from an external perch into one of the top compartments, landing on the internal perch and releasing the trigger, allowing the lid to close (from Redpath and Wyllie 1994).

Decoy Traps and Enticement LuresDecoy Traps and Enticement Lures

Decoy TrapsDecoy Traps

►Swedish Goshawk Trap

►Live decoys

►Floating bait traps

Enticement LuresEnticement Lures

►Audio lures

►Distress calls

►Recorded breeding calls

Miscellaneous Capture MethodsMiscellaneous Capture Methods

►Hand captures ►Boleadoras►Vehicle pursuit►Helicopter pursuit►Padded-jaw foothold

traps

►Alpha-chloralose ►Tiletamine/zolazepam

Use of Oral DrugsOther Methods

CAPTURING MAMMALSCAPTURING MAMMALS

►Dip Nets►Mist Nets►Harp Nets►Drop Nets►Cannon and Rocket

Nets►Net Guns

►Explosive charged Drop Net

►Non-explosive charged Drop Net

►Drive Nets and Portable Drive Net

►Drift Fences

Use of NetsUse of Nets

Traps for MammalsTraps for Mammals

Restraining TrapsRestraining Traps► Sherman Live-traps► Box Traps► Wire Cage Traps► Corral Traps► Foot Traps and Snares

Tranquilizer Trap Devices

Padded Foot Traps

Killing TrapsKilling Traps► Neck Snares► ConibearTM Traps► Snap Traps► Mole Traps

Corral trap for capturing feral hogs.

Cage TrapsCage Traps

TomahawkTM live trap attached to a small-diameter tree by a bracket (from Hayes et al. 1994).

Diagram of the aboreal trapping method used in southeastern Amazon (from Lambert et al. 2005).

Pipe TrapPipe Trap

Design of pipe trap. The design uses 90 mm PVC pipe and fittings throughout (from Winning and King 2008).

Rodent Safe-houseRodent Safe-house

Side (A) and front (B) view of the assembled rodent safe-house constructed with 5-cm diameter PVC pipe. (from Padgett-Flohr and Jennings 2001).

Calvert TrapCalvert Trap

Culvert trap for capturing bears (photograph by New Mexico Department of Game and Fish).

Roost Trap for BatsRoost Trap for Bats

► Trap arrangement for catching bats. A = assembled trap with ropes and their points of attachment and B = lateral view of the assembled trap. Aluminum frames are cross-hatched (from Cotterill and Fergusson 1993).

Foothold TrapsFoothold Traps

Foothold restraining traps used to capture mammals; VictorTM No. 1.5 coil spring foothold trap (left), VictorTM No. 1.5 soft-catchTM foothold trap with padded jaws (right) (photograph by G. F. Hubert, Jr.).

Foot encapsulating traps specifically designed for capturing raccoons (prevents self-mutilation) and reducing the capture of domestic pets (courtesy Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies).

Double Jaw Foothold TrapsDouble Jaw Foothold Traps

Coil-spring and long spring traps modified with double-jaws (illustration used courtesy of Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies). The double-jaws reduce injuries to animals trapped.

SnaresSnares

The Novak foot snare (photograph by G. F. Hubert, Jr.).

The 1 x 19 single-strand snare cable construction consists of 7 wires (twisted right) wrapped by 12 wires twisted left (top) and The 7 x 7 multi-strand snare cable has 7 bundles of 7 wires each (bottom left). While the 7 x 19 multi-strand snare cable has 7 bundles of 19 wires each (illustration used courtesy of Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies).

Miscellaneous Capture MethodsMiscellaneous Capture Methods

► Hand Capturing ► Lassoing► Glue Traps ► Vaginal Implant

Transmitters ► Trap-signaling Device

Restraint and radio collar attachment for deer captured while swimming (from Boroski and McGlaughlin 1994).

Use of AttractantsUse of Attractants

BaitsBaits► Sweet Baits ► Salt Blocks ► Protein Blocks► Liquid Baits (e.g., apple juice)

► Vegetable Baits► Meat Baits

ScentsScents► Gland Scents (e.g., seal oil,

Siberian musk oil, anal glands from foxes and skunks, and mink musk)

► Curiosity Scents (e.g., rotten eggs, decomposed meat, and fish oil)

► Catnip► W-U Lure (Trimethylammonium

decanoate plus sulfides) ► Plant Extractions ► Visual Attractants (e.g., colored

feathers)

Species-specific Traps for Live Capture of Species-specific Traps for Live Capture of MammalsMammals

SpeciesSpecies► American Badger VictorTM No. 3 Soft-Catch™ padded foothold traps

► American Beaver Clamshell-type traps

► Bobcat Gage trap with live bait

► Coyote No. 3 Soft-Catch™ padded foothold traps

► Feral Cat Wire mesh traps (40 x 40 x 60 cm)

► Fisher Cage traps

► Fox (Arctic, Gray, and Kit) No. 1.5 Soft-Catch™ padded foothold traps

► Fox (Swift) Baited single door HavahartTM wire cage traps (25.4 x 30.5 x 81.3 cm)

► Grey Wolf AldrichTM foot snare

► Feral Hog Box and corral traps

► Jaguar Treeing with hounds and use of capture gun

► Lynx No. 3 Soft-Catch™ foothold trap with padded jaws

Live-capture MethodLive-capture Method

Species-specific TrapsSpecies-specific Traps

SpeciesSpecies► Marten Wire box traps

► Mink Restraining trap research on mink is lacking

► Mountain Lion Treeing with hounds and use of capture gun

► Muskrat Wire cage trap with double doors

► Nutria Cage trap with vegetable baits

► Virginia Opossum Cage trap with meat or vegetable baits

► Porcupine Single-door cage traps baited with sliced apples

► Pocket Gopher Cylindrical PVC pipe trap

► Raccoon Cage trap with meat or vegetable baits

► Northern River Otter Hancock clam traps

► Squirrels (Gray, Red, and Fox) Cage trap with pecan baits

► Striped Skunk Cage trap with meat or vegetable baits

► Weasels Cage trap with meat baits

► Wolverine Specialized log trap

Live-capture MethodLive-capture Method

CAPTURING REPTILESCAPTURING REPTILES

►Hand capture►Drift Fences with

Pitfall and Funnel Traps

►Cover boards ►Sherman live traps

►Fishing pole ►Glue traps ►Herp scoop►Bal-chatri trap ►Fyke and trammel

nets

Hand CaptureHand Capture

A method for catching lizards by chasing them into tubes placed beneath a bush. The tubes have 1 end covered with tape (from Strong et al. 1993).

Drift Fences and Pitfall TrapsDrift Fences and Pitfall Traps

Specifications of flip-top lid on 19-l (5 gallon) bucket set in a drift fences (from Christiansen and Vandewalle 2000).

Basking TrapBasking Trap

Turtle basking trap design. A = wood frame, B = foam floats, C = net basket, and D = anchor (from Gamble 2006).

 

►Hand capture►Dip Nets►Drift Fences with

Pitfall and Funnel Traps

►Pipes►Cover Boards►Electroshocking ►Fishing pole ►Aquatic funnel trap

Capturing AmphibiansCapturing Amphibians

Amphibian ScoopAmphibian Scoop

Amphibia scoop made from a polyethylene soft drink bottle (A) with the base cut off and inverted to act as a lid (B). A V-shaped notch and a flashlight (C) were added to make the scoop more useful (from Sievert et al. 1999).

Aquatic Drift FenceAquatic Drift Fence

Fence for capturing tree frogs as they enter and leave ponds. A = front view of the fence. Only a portion of the fence and only one of the plastic barriers are shown. B = side view of the fence showing both plastic barriers. C = enlarged side view of the fence showing method of attachment of flexible plastic barrier to strings (from Murphy 1993).

Trapping Lizards and TurtlesTrapping Lizards and Turtles

LizardsLizards

►Pitfall-style traps►Water squirting►Artificial retreat►Noose trap►Glue board

TurtlesTurtles

►Basking traps ►Floating pitfall trap ►Funnel traps ►Baited hoop trap

Trapping Snakes and AlligatorsTrapping Snakes and Alligators

SnakesSnakes

►Hand captureHand capture►Modified eel pot Modified eel pot

trapstraps►Funnel trapsFunnel traps►Pitfall trapsPitfall traps

AlligatorsAlligators

►Mist of water Mist of water ►Baited box traps Baited box traps ►Snare poleSnare pole

HANDLING CAPTURED ANIMALS

►Non-chemical handling and physical restraint of captured animals is inexpensive and usually causes lower mortality rates

►Keep animal in dark and release as soon as possible to prevent capture myopathy

SUMMARYSUMMARY► Humane capture and handling techniques continue to be of paramount importance.

► Use of different net types (e.g., dip, mist, bow, drop, drift, cannon, and rocket) continue to be most useful technique for capturing birds.

► Mammals are captured primarily with snares, foothold, box, and cage traps.

► Wild animals may be captured subsistence, animal damage control, population management, disease control, enhancement of other species, economic benefits, and research.

► Regardless of the reasons for capture, the most humane devices and techniques should be used.

► All untested capture devices should be evaluated using standardized, scientifically-sound protocols that include the documentation of capture-related injuries via whole body necropsies.