Use of foot snares to capture large felids

Abstract

The study of free-living felids requires the capture of individuals from the wild to collect biological samples and to equip them with GPS-satellite collars for telemetry monitoring. The traditional methods used by researchers to capture wild felids are box traps and trained hounds, both of which have disadvantages. We present the description of the foot snare and the adaptations required for the capture of jaguars and cougars, showing its efficiency. The foot snare consists of a combination of structures. It is composed of a thrower system, which is responsible for closing the steel cable noose on the paw of the animal; a holding system, which is responsible for securing the animal safely, after stepping into the trap; and a monitoring system, consisting of a VHF transmitter that allows remote monitoring of the snares. The snares are set on trails and roads according to the presence of tracks, scats and other evidence indicating use by the two species of large felids or as determined by monitoring camera traps. Thirty jaguars (16 females and 14 males) and six cougars (all males) were captured. Three jaguars in the Pantanal were captured more than once, therefore totalling 34 capture events. Snares have been demonstrated to be a safe and efficient method to capture these felids.