Response to Darting Primates: Steps toward Procedural and Reporting Standards

Abstract

The safety of primates which are captured and released in the wild is a topic of concern for many field primatologists. Our article and the recent commentary by Fernandez-Duque et al. contribute to the discussion. Although Fernandez-Duque et al. found a slightly higher rate of fatalities (2.5 %) than Cunningham et al. (2.0 %), their combined rate of fatal and serious injuries was lower (4.0 % vs 5.0 %). The differences in rate are not substantial, given limitations of the data. However, as Fernandez-Duque et al. highlight the need for standardizing methods of analysis, we believe the methods they suggest merit careful consideration. We agree that variation in size, habitat, and the experience of the darting team are important factors. Cunningham et al. reported the influence of these factors on injury and fatality rates. There are, however, some important differences in the methods of Cunningham et al. and Fernandez-Duque et al. We believe it is important to 1) acknowledge possible bias in the data, 2) report results of serious complications that arise during capture, 3) report results of capturing medically compromised primates, and 4) report rates of primates falling to the ground.