An Evaluation of the Efficacy of the Eggtm Trap for Capturing Feral Raccoons in Hokkaido

27 Mar An Evaluation of the Efficacy of the Eggtm Trap for Capturing Feral Raccoons in Hokkaido

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Abstract

箱ワナによる外来アライグマ捕獲における諸問題である 1)他動物の錯誤捕獲，2)小動物による餌の持ち逃げや誤作動，3)トラップシャイ個体の存在，4)捕獲個体によるワナの破壊と逃亡，5)ワナの購入・運搬・管理に係るコスト高などの改善を図るため，アライグマ捕獲用に開発されたエッグトラップ7個を用いて試用捕獲（200 trap nights）を行った．その結果，野生個体としては高齢のアライグマ2頭（5歳オス，6歳メス）をいずれも無傷で捕獲した．捕獲期間中に錯誤捕獲は1例もなく，また誤作動は本体内部が破損した1例だけだった．さらに，鉄杭にワナを吊るす設置法では，他動物による餌の持ち逃げも確認されなかった．今回の結果から，エッグトラップは一般的な箱ワナに比べて小型軽量，安価で，メンテナンスも容易であるため，箱ワナに代わるか，もしくは箱ワナとの併用によって，より捕獲効率を高めうる捕獲用具になる可能性が示唆された．

English Abstract

The wire cage trap, which is the most popular restraining measure for capturing feral raccoons (Procyon lotor) in Japan, has some problems, including 1) capturing untargeted animals, 2) bait stealing by small animals and mechanical failure, 3) trap-shyness, 4) tendency to break due to the activities of captured animals, and 5) high cost of purchasing, transportation and mainte nce. Seven EggTM traps were employed to examine their efficacy in preventing these problems. In this study, 2 feral raccoons (a 5-year-old male and a 6-year-old female) were captured without injury over 200 trap nights. No untargeted animals were captured and only one trap failed due to a crack in inner parts. There was also no bait loss recorded with the bait-setup that involved a trap hanging from an iron pole. The results showed that the EggTM traps, which are cheaper, smaller, lighter, and easier to maintain than live cage traps, could help resolve or reduce some problems of live cage traps in capturing feral raccoons.