Cage Trap Research Articles

CATATAN LAPANGAN MENGENAI SATWALIAR DI LOKASI EKOWISATA SYURGAR SAUSAPOR, KABUPATEN TAMBRAUW

This study was conducted at Syurgar ecoutourism site, subdistrict of Sausapor Tambrauw district. Data was collected from June to July 2020 using survey method, direct catching, cage trap and interview. This study aimed to list the wildlife species, especially Birds, Mammals Herpetofauna, and Butterflies in order to complete data of the government of Tambrauw District for the purpose of Syurgar ecotourism development. This study recorded that there were 15 birds’ species of 13 families, 12 mammals’ species of 6 family, 4 herpetofauna’s species of 4 families, and 25 butterflies of 4 families. Syurgar has a potential to be a birdwatching site. There are several appealing birds, including Lesser bird-of-paradise (Paradisaea minor), king bird of paradise (Cincinurus regius), blyth’s hornbill (Rhyncetores plicatus), sulphur-crested cockatoo (Cacatua galerita). Endemic species of mammals include long-beaked echidna (Zaglosus bruijnii), dorcopsis/forest’s wallaby (Dorcopsis sp.), northern common cuscus (Phalanger orientalis), common spotted cuscus (Spilocuscus maculates), old world fruit bats (Dobsonia sp.), great flying fox (Pteropus neohibernicus). Endemic species of herpetofauna include frogs (Papurana sp.), Papua wrinkled ground frog (Cornufer papuensis). Eventually, some butterflies’ species include redeye bushbrown (Mycalesis aethiops), bushbrown (Mycalesis elia), and Papuan gull (Cepora abnormis). It is strongly suspected that several birds, mammals, herpetofauna, and butterflies have not been recorded due to time constraints. Therefore, further study is recommended for data completion.

A Low-Cost Innovation Design for Portable Rubbish Cage Trap (PRCT) in Drain System

A Low-Cost Innovation Design for Portable Rubbish Cage Trap (PRCT) in Drain System

Video-documentation of true and borderline tool use by wild American black bears

Animal tool use has been documented for a variety of wildlife, but few studies have evaluated tool use by bears. We used long-term video data to observe and classify behaviors of wild American black bears (Ursus americanus) in western Montana, USA, during 2012–2022. We present video-documentation of true and borderline tool use by multiple individuals. Six bears (4F:2M) picked up sticks from the bottom of a creek pool and then manipulated the sticks with their forepaws to scratch and/or rub themselves. In addition, one bear manipulated a tree sapling near a cage trap in an apparent attempt to reach hanging food. We identified several parent–offspring relationships among our small sample size of tool users, indicating that tool use behavior may have partially developed via social learning and/or genetic inheritance. Our findings build on the limited research on ursid tool use and demonstrate the value of long-term video data to document wild bear behavior.

Short Communication: Diversity of small mammals (non-volant) in tropical peatland ecosystem of Orang Kayo Hitam Forest Park, Jambi, Indonesia

Abstract. Dara W, Iswandaru D, Wulandari C, Novriyanti, Prasetia H. 2023. Short Communication: Diversity of small mammals (non-volant) in tropical peatland ecosystem of Orang Kayo Hitam Forest Park, Jambi, Indonesia. Intl J Bonorowo Wetlands 13: 30-35. Peatlands areas dominate Orang Kayo Hitam Forest Park (OKH Forest Park), Jambi, Indonesia. The largest forest fire in the OKH Forest Park area occurred in 2015, damaging more than 70% of the area. The event subsequently affected the existing biodiversity, especially the diversity of small mammals. Small mammals have an important role in the ecosystem as agents in regeneration and restoration, including in the OKH Forest Park. The method used is the cage trap method which is placed by systematic sampling. Traps were placed in two types of habitats, namely shrubs, and forests. The bait variation consisted of coconut, sweet potato, banana, and oil palm fruit. All baits were treated by burning to give off an aroma. The resulting data were analyzed quantitatively using the Shannon-Wiener Diversity Index. Types of small mammals found in shrubs and forest habitats are Malaysian field rats (Rattus tiomanicus (Miller, 1900)) and plantain squirrels (Callosciurus notatus (Boddaert, 1785)) The diversity index shows a low category with a value of (H' = 0.17884). That indicates the condition of the habitat in the post-burnt peat ecosystem is still relatively depressed.

Small innovation for sustainable use of fisheries resources

Influenced by Rio Declaration, Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries provided the principle toward sustainable fisheries in 1995. Reduction of wastages became a major issue. The author first accessed that the total amount of finfish discards in prawn trawling was similar to the coastal fisheries’ production in PNG and it was serious wastage. He also proved the over-estimation of global discards. A newly developed semi-demersal cuttlefish trammel-net successfully excluded bycatch of sub-legal individuals of flounder. He clarified that the process of declining of ghost fishing function after gear loss for cage trap and gillnet is represented with a survival function, on which the duration of ghost fishing and mortality were quantitatively estimated. He developed a technique for buoy line with an intermediate float to avoid entanglement of the line around seabed rocks. The author advocates research toward small innovation, through which many researchers can contribute to sustainable development.

Record of deep-sea lobster Palinustus waguensis Kubo, 1963 (Decapoda: Palinuridea) from southern coast of Oman in the Arabian Sea

Deep-sea lobster Palinustus waguensis Kubo, 1963, was recorded in the southern Omani coast in Dhofar region in the Arabian Sea for the first time. On 18 October 2021, a single male specimen was captured in a fish cage trap at 230 m depth about 600 m off Mirbat area on the Arabian Sea. The specimen measured 117.63 mm in total length, 41.63 mm carapace length and weighed 65.84 g. The findings of the present record expand the distribution of this lobster species in the Omani coastline and the south-west of the Arabian Sea. Keywords: Arabian Sea, Deep-sea lobster, Oman, Palinustus waguensis

Cage trapping and field anaesthesia of brown bears as part of nuisance bear management.

The population and distribution of the European brown bear (Ursus arctos) in Slovakia are expanding as bears were observed beyond the southern border of the country in Hungary. This study presents the authors' experience with field anaesthesia of wild brown bears trapped in a custom-made container trap and of free-ranging individuals. A total of 25 bears were captured and translocated using a specially designed metal cage trap. The study compared the effectiveness of three anaesthetic protocols in managing both free-ranging and trapped bears. For juveniles, or small adults up to 70 kg body weight (BW), ketamine-xylazine mixture was used at doses of 3.0-4.0 mg kg-1 ketamine and 1.0-1.5 mg kg-1 xylazine BW. The immobilisation of free-ranging bears, which are usually attracted by municipal solid garbage, was performed remotely using PneuDart darts with 2-3 ml of anaesthetics. For this purpose, tiletamine-zolazepam-detomidine (T-Z-D) was preferred at a dose of 1.7-2.5 (T) mg kg-1, 1.7-2.5 (Z) mg kg-1, and 0.1-0.2 (D) mg kg-1 BW. Induction time was from 7 to 18 min post darting with the average of 12.04 min. The same combination was applied to bears trapped in a container trap, with anaesthesia lasting from 40 to 150 min. If T-Z-D was used, no further anaesthetic was needed. In all cases, anaesthesia was antagonised by atipamezole at a dose of 0.15-0.225 mg kg-1 BW. Atipamezole was injected at a half dose intramuscularly and a half dose subcutaneously at the time when the palpebral reflex reappeared and the bear was able to move his tongue. It was shown that the T-Z-D mixture is a safe, low-volume anaesthetic darting protocol that is reversible, has minimal adverse effects on physiological parameters, and has a sufficient duration. The results can be used to manage large carnivore populations in the Carpathian region.

Remotely triggered door and real‐time monitoring for bear cage traps

AbstractWe modified the bear cage trap with a low‐cost remotely triggered trap door and fitted the trap with a motion activated camera that relayed bear captures to researchers in real time. We built 4 modified bear cage traps and used them to capture free‐ranging American black bears (Ursus americanus) during summer 2020 on MPG Ranch in western Montana, USA. Lacking data on bear confinement time in traps from previous studies, we compared the amount of time that bears were confined in our modified traps with estimated confinement time had the same bears in our study been captured in traditional traps that were physically checked once daily at 0900, once daily at 1200, or twice daily at 0900 and 1600. We captured bears 30 times during 195 trap nights. The camera system relayed photos of all captures in real time and the remotely triggered door release was 100% successful. When we evaluated all bear captures and recaptures (n = 30), mean bear confinement time in our modified traps (4.92 hrs) was significantly lower than estimated mean confinement time had the same bears been captured in traditional traps that were checked once daily at 0900 (14.95 hrs), once daily at 1200 (10.73 hrs), or twice daily at 0900 and 1600 (7.01 hrs). For bears that were recaptured during regular trap monitoring hours (0700–1800) and remotely released without immobilization (n = 12), mean confinement time in our modified traps was <1 hr. By remotely monitoring traps, we saved an estimated US $6,580 or $13,624 in gas and staff hours during 3 months of trapping, had we physically checked traps once or twice daily, respectively. Our modified traps minimized animal confinement time, eliminated unnecessary animal immobilizations, and helped us maximize time and resource efficiencies. Our findings are relevant to bear research and management, and the technology we used can be adapted for trapping other wildlife species.

Live capture and handling of Taiwanese leopard cats Prionailurus bengalensis: an evaluation of trap designs and capture protocol

Behavioural and ecological studies often require capture and handling of animals for marking or collaring. Cage traps, in various designs, are commonly used for live‐capture of small mammals. Apart from costs and practicality, trap designs need to balance trap success and safety for the trapped animal. Inevitably, trapping and handling causes stress for the animals involved and can even result in injury or mortality. To optimise trap methods, it is important to share experiences. In this study, we describe our trapping and handling protocol for leopard cat, an elusive small felid which can be challenging to trap. We determine which factors influence trap success and compare three custom made cage trap designs: aviary‐, box‐ and side‐traps. We found that trap chance was affected by trap design, location and seasonality but, despite being causes of leopard cat mortality, not by human or domestic dog presence. The side‐trap provided the best tradeoff between trap success and safety, and was economic and easy to handle. Sacrificing live‐bait was unnecessary to successfully trap leopard cats. More male than female leopard cats visited the traps, resulting in a sex‐bias in trapped individuals. Due to a long response time, especially when continuous trap monitoring was absent, the time between leopard cat capture and release was > 10 h (mean ± SE = 16:18 ± 01:57 h). We therefore recommend to always use remote continuous monitoring devices when trapping animals. Although not related to drug dosage, recovery time was negatively related to the distance leopard cats moved after release, whereas total time between capture and release was not. To minimize exposure to human and domestic dog related threats, we released leopard cats after nightfall within their natural 18:00–06:00 h activity time, and only released individuals once fully responsive, which took > 4 h.

Improving Trapping Efficiency for Control of American Mink (Neovison vison) in Patagonia.

Simple SummaryTwo main challenges to control invasive mammals are to maximize campaign efficacy and cost-effectiveness, and to avoid trapping other species. We designed and tested new protocols to address those challenges to control alien American mink in southern Chile. We recommend the use of the GMV-13 variant of collapsible wire cage with scent gland lure, as they are smaller, cheaper, easier to transport and effective at catching female mink and reducing the possibility of trapping native species. Trapping campaigns using GMV-13 should be conducted principally during summer, with a 200-m trap spacing, for up to 6 days before moving traps to a new site, with a combination of three days with female scent gland lure followed by three days with male scent gland lure. Our modelling reveals that this should result in the removal of at least 70% of the local estimated discrete mink population within the area covered by each transect.Two main challenges when controlling alien American mink (Neovison vison) in Patagonia are to maximize campaign efficacy and cost-effectiveness and to avoid trapping native species. We designed and tested new variants of collapsible wire box traps, compared the efficacy of a food-based bait and a scent lure and compared catch rates in different seasons of the year. We used the data to model the efficiency rate of the trapping and to determine the trapping effort required to remove 70–90% of the estimated discrete mink population. Between January 2018 and March 2021, we operated 59 trapping transects over 103 three-day trapping periods in southern Chile. Traps were first baited with canned fish, and afterwards with mink anal gland lure. We compared the efficacy of mink capture with that of our previous study. We trapped 196 mink (125 males, 71 females), with most captures in summer. The medium-sized GMV-18 trap caught more male mink, but the more compact GMV-13 caught fewer non-target rodents and no native mammals. The scent lure was more successful than the canned fish when the previous campaign’s data were included in the analysis. There was also a significant improvement in the proportion of female mink trapped and reduced labour compared with our previous campaign that used larger traps, fish bait and 400–500 m trap spacings. We caught relatively more females than males after the third night of trapping on a transect. Our data analysis supports the use of the GMV-13 variant of wire cage trap as the best trap size: it is effective on female mink, small, cheap and easy to transport. Combined with mink anal scent lure, it reduces the possibility of trapping native species compared with other traps tested in Chile. As the most efficient method for removing at least 70% of the estimated discrete mink population within the area covered by each trap transect in southern Chile tested to date, we recommend trapping campaigns using GMV-13 during summer, with a 200-m trap spacing, for up to 6 days before moving traps to a new site, with a combination of three days with a female scent gland lure, followed by three days with a male scent gland lure.

Repeatable measure of cage trap behaviour to quantify boldness and agitation in a macropod

Understanding animal behaviours, such as anti-predator responses, that may affect the outcomes of conservation efforts is important. We developed a measure of boldness and agitation throughout the cage trapping process specific to woylies (Bettongia penicillata ogilbyi). The method requires simple answers to questions clearly defined in an ethogram to ensure it is objective and has minimal impact on animal welfare. Across two woylie populations with varying exposure to predators, the measure proved repeatable within individuals, and captured a wide variety of behavioural phenotypes, making it a robust and valuable tool for quantifying the behaviour of woylies and potentially other mammals.

Observation of rescue behaviour in wild boar (Sus scrofa)

Here, we provide unique photo documentation and observational evidence of rescue behaviour described for the first time in wild boar. Rescue behaviour represents an extreme form of prosocial behaviour that has so far only been demonstrated in a few species. It refers to a situation when one individual acts to help another individual that finds itself in a dangerous or stressful situation and it is considered by some authors as a complex form of empathy. We documented a case in which an adult female wild boar manipulated wooden logs securing the door mechanism of a cage trap and released two entrapped young wild boars. The whole rescue was fast and particular behaviours were complex and precisely targeted, suggesting profound prosocial tendencies and exceptional problem-solving capacities in wild boar. The rescue behaviour might have been motivated by empathy because the rescuer female exhibited piloerection, a sign of distress, indicating an empathetic emotional state matching or understanding the victims. We discuss this rescue behaviour in the light of possible underlying motivators, including empathy, learning and social facilitation.

Assessing methods to live-capture wild boars (Sus scrofa) in urban and peri-urban environments

BackgroundWild boar (Sus scrofa) populations are increasing worldwide and invading urban areas. Live-capture can improve the management of this challenge, maximising efficiency, allowing scientific studies and potentially improving animal welfare....

When management meets science: adaptive analysis for the optimization of the eradication of the Northern raccoon (Procyon lotor)

The EU Regulation no.1143/2014 on invasive species requires the EU Member States to respond promptly and efficiently in eradicating the invasive alien species listed as species of Union concern. The Northern raccoon (Procyon lotor) was introduced in Northern Italy along the river Adda and we carried out its eradication campaign between 2016 and 2019. We used an integrated approach of camera traps and live traps. A standardized approach to the camera trap survey (2904 camera trap-nights) revealed that the detectability of raccoons (0.27 ± 0.07 SD) increased in the proximity of the river and their occupancy (0.15 ± 0.09 SD) was higher in urban areas. These results allowed us to increase the trapping success whilst reducing the effort. During the captures, systematic collection of catch and effort data allowed to estimate population size (65 ± 7.8 raccoons) and thus to have a continuous update on how far the campaign was from the complete eradication of the species, allowing to adjust the trapping effort accordingly. We captured 69 raccoons (7279 cage trap nights) thanks to both systematic trapping and opportunistic activation of traps following stakeholders’ reports. Stakeholders supported the campaign and some of them played an important role in reporting sightings, signs, and allowing access to their private land. Camera trap data also allowed us to make a Rapid Eradication Assessment that estimated an eradication probability of 99% after 6 months without detections. We finally give indications for future control campaigns on the species to increase removal success, reducing the effort.

Habitat utilization and seasonal occurrence of <i>Tachaea chinensis</i> (Isopoda: Corallanidae) infesting freshwater shrimps in Lake Biwa, central Japan

Monthly quadrat sampling of freshwater shrimps infested by the corallanid isopod Tachaea chinensis was conducted in Lake Biwa, central Japan, between April 2014 and September 2015. In total, 3,222 shrimps, including 2,786 Neocaridina spp., 309 Paratya improvisa, and 127 Palaemon paucidens were collected. Individuals of 431 T. chinensis were found from those hosts. The prevalence was 12.2% in Neocaridina spp., 5.5% in P. improvisa, and 24.4% in P. paucidens, respectively. All isopods found on hosts were immature stages and showed an annual emergence pattern; newly hatched juveniles were first sampled in August, increased the body length until May, and were not observed in June–July. To collect T. chinensis apart from the hosts, a cage trap filled with reed roots was put on the study site between June 2014 and September 2015. Isopods were collected in July and September. Specimens trapped in 2015 consisted of adult or premature individuals, and 39 out of 46 adult females collected were ovigerous. During an observation using snorkeling in July 2014, 29 adults were observed under stones and in withered Phragmites australis roots. Thus, T. chinensis reproduces in benthic habitats during summer. Subsequently, juveniles appear and grow via a series of molts on the hosts until the following year.

Transition to density dependence in a reintroduced ecosystem engineer

When does a reintroduced population of animals become self-regulating? Quantifying this is critical in determining when interventions can be tapered off, or when they may need to be reinstated. We tracked the growth trajectory of a reintroduced population to establish whether it was irruptive and/or had transitioned to self-regulation. In 2012, we reintroduced 32 eastern bettongs (Bettongia gaimardi), a potoroid marsupial from Tasmania, Australia, to a 485 ha exotic predator-proof fenced reserve in the Australian Capital Territory. We established a 92 cage trap monitoring network to track population growth between the Austral Autumn 2014 and Summer 2018. We used capture-recapture models to track changes in the population through time, and modelled ‘bettong weight’, ‘pouch occupancy’ and ‘age of pouch young’ with population variation, to establish potential associations with changes in population size. The estimated population grew from 32 individuals in 2012 to 100 in 2014, 192 in Autumn 2016, and then declined to 151 in Summer 2018. Estimated survival of adults was high—above 92% between most sessions. Adult female weights ranged between 0.485 and 2.428 kg, and adult males between 0.470 and 2.775 kg. Our study showed density dependence was achieved over the 6 year period. Low adult mortality, and variable pouch occupancy related to female weight, suggested that food availability had influenced lactation in females, with flow-on impacts on juvenile survival. Long-term, broad-scale population dynamics were probably driven by a mix of direct (e.g. disease, harvesting for other reintroductions), and indirect (i.e. climate dependent availability of nutritious food) influences on population size.

APPLICATION OF TRAP BARRIER SYSTEM COMBINED WITH CAGE TRAP FOR CONTROLLING RATS IN RICE FIELD

Rice-field rat is a main pest of rice. Yield reduction caused by rat is quite high, because rats attack rice plant at all stages. One of the efforts applied to control rats is by using Trap Barrier System combined with cage trap. The objective of this research was to identify species of rat attacking rice plants and investigate the presence of rat by their footprints. The experiment was conducted in Jalur 6 Village Sumber Mulya, Sub-district Muara Telang, District Banyuasin, South Sumatra. One hectare of farmer’s rice field, divided into 3 sub-plot. Each sub-plot was planted with variety paddy of Inpari 22 (sub-plot A), Inpari 33 (sub-plot B), and Inpari 43 (sub-plot C). The number of cage traps was 6 traps per sub-plot. Observations were made 7 times, with an interval of 10 days. Results showed species of trapped rats in the research area was Rattus argentiventer, in which number of males was higher than females. Morphologically, the size of males were bigger than female. Number of footprints did not reperesentative the number of trapped rats. Inpari 43 variety was more preferred by rats because damage intensity was the highest than other two rice varieties.

Difference in the factors of effect on reproductive rate of feral raccoon (Procyon lotor) between high- (2008-2010) and low- (2015-2017) density terms in Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan

Difference in the factors of effect on reproductive rate of feral raccoon (Procyon lotor) between high- (2008-2010) and low- (2015-2017) density terms in Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan

Blood parasite infections in a wild population of ravens (Corvus corax) in Bulgaria

BackgroundBlood parasites have been studied intensely in many families of avian hosts, but corvids, a particularly cosmopolitan family, remain underexplored. Haemosporidian parasites of the common raven (Corvus corax) have not been studied, although it is the largest, most adaptable, and widespread corvid. Genetic sequence data from parasites of ravens can enhance the understanding of speciation patterns and specificity of haemosporidian parasites in corvids, and shed light how these hosts cope with parasite pressure.MethodsA baited cage trap was used to catch 86 ravens and a nested PCR protocol was used to amplify a 479 bp fragment of the haemosporidian cytochrome b gene from the samples. The obtained sequences were compared with the MalAvi database of all published haemosporidian lineages and a phylogenetic tree including all detected raven parasites was constructed. An examination of blood smears was performed for assessment of infection intensity.ResultsTwenty blood parasite lineages were recovered from ravens caught in a wild population in Bulgaria. The prevalence of generalist Plasmodium lineages was 49%, and the prevalence of Leucocytozoon lineages was 31%. Out of 13 detected Leucocytozoon lineages six were known from different corvids, while seven others seem to be specific to ravens. A phylogenetic reconstruction suggests that Leucocytozoon lineages of ravens and other corvids are not monophyletic, with some groups appearing closely related to parasites of other host families.ConclusionsSeveral different, morphologically cryptic groups of Leucocytozoon parasites appear to infect corvids. Ravens harbour both generalist corvid Leucocytozoon as well as apparently species-specific lineages. The extraordinary breeding ecology and scavenging lifestyle possibly allow ravens to evade vectors and have relatively low blood parasite prevalence compared to other corvids.

Assessment of the role of small mammals in the transmission cycle of tegumentary leishmaniasis and first report of natural infection with Leishmania braziliensis in two sigmodontines in northeastern Argentina.

To contribute to the knowledge of the role of small mammals in the transmission cycle of tegumentary leishmaniasis caused by Leishmania braziliensis, we studied the small mammal community and its temporal and spatial association with phlebotominae, as well as small mammal infection by Leishmania spp. by PCR-RFLP analyses in an endemic area of northeastern Argentina. Ten small mammal samplings were conducted (2007-2009, 7506 Sherman trap nights and 422 cage trap nights). In two of these samplings, 16 capture stations each one consisting of a CDC light trap to capture phlebotominae, two to four Sherman traps and two cage traps were placed. We found co-occurrence of phlebotominae and small mammal captures in four stations, which were all the stations with small mammal captures and yielded 97% (2295 specimens, including 21 gravid females) of the total phlebotominae captures, suggesting that small mammals may provide a potential source of blood for phlebotominae females. One Didelphis albiventris and two Rattus rattus were associated with high captures of Nyssomyia whitmani, vector of L. braziliensis in the study area. The PCR-RFLP analyses confirm the presence of L. braziliensis in two sigmodontine small mammals (Akodon sp. and Euryoryzomys russatus) for the first time in Argentina, to our knowledge.