IUCN / SSC Cat Specialist Group - Digital Cat Library
   

 

View printer friendly
Elbroch, I.M.; Jansen, B.D.; Grigione, M.M.; Sarno, R.J.; Wittmer, H.U.
Trailing hounds vs foot snares: comparing injuries to pumas _Puma concolor_ captured in Chilean Patagonia
2013  Wildlife Biology (19): 210-216

We compared injuries resulting from two different capture methods, i.e. trailing hounds and foot snares, for pumas _Puma concolor_ in a mixed landscape with open grasslands and limited 'retreat' habitat in southern Chilean Patagonia. Injury scores were not significantly different for the two methods, although the small sample size for captures made with snares likely influenced our findings. Based on a potential range of 0-400, the mean injury score for pumas caught using hounds was 56.3 6 132.9 (SD). The mean puma injury score for five animals caught in snares was 3.8 6 1.1. Pumas were injured and/or killed in 86% of captures using trailing hounds. The number of hounds used in a capture attempt did not predict the likelihood of successfully catching a puma (P=0.35), whereas there was a strong relationship between the number of dogs and the likelihood of a fight with the puma (P,0.0001). The odds ratio calculation predicted a 14.7% increase in the likelihood of a fight between puma and hounds with the addition of each dog to the chase. Our results highlight the potential risks associated with trailing hounds in open landscapes. We suggest guidelines for the use of hounds in predominantly open landscapes, and that alternative capture methods such as foot snares should be considered as a potentially safer alternative. Lastly, we make recommendations for the development of injury assessment systems more relevant to catch-and-release research.

PDF files are only accessible to Friends of the Cat Group. Joining Friends of the Cat Group gives you unlimited access and downloads in the Cat SG Library for one year, and allows you to receive our newsletter Cat News (2 regular issues per year plus special issues). More information how to join here

 

(c) IUCN/SSC Cat Specialist Group ( IUCN - The World Conservation Union)