IUCN / SSC Cat Specialist Group - Digital Cat Library |
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| Potocnik, H.; Kljun, F.; Racnik, J.; Skrbinsek, T.; Adamic, M.; Kos, I. | |
| Experience obtained from box trapping and handling wildcats in Slovenia | |
| 2002 Acta Theriologica (47): 211-219 | |
Wildcats _Felis silvestris _Schreber, 1775 were captured for radio collaring as a part of a study of their spatial distribution and social organisation in southern Slovenia between 1999 and 2001. Double-door box traps, with a roof that bears easily break (bear permeable traps), have been used to capture individuals. The distances between traps were between 550 to 2200 m. They were set out on logging roads and narrow trails in the forest. Nine wildcats, one lynx _Lynx lynx _(Linnaeus, 1758) and one feral cat were caught as target species and 19 badgers _Meles meles _and one bear cub _Ursus arctos _as non-targets. The catching success was 1 wildcat/58 trap-days and seems to be in correlation with the lunar cycle. Overall, 7 males and 2 female wildcats were captured which might indicate sex biased trapping selection. Methodological improvements shortened the time of handling procedures. Improved field protocols as well as restraining and immobilisation procedures increased reliability and safety of drug administrations, decreased potential chances for injuries and reduced overall stress of captured animals. |
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