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Thomas, P.; Balme, G.; Hunter, L.; McCabe-Parodi, J.
Using scent attractants to non-invasively collect hair samples from cheetahs, leopards and lions
2005 Animal Keeper's Forum (7/8): 342-384
The goal of this project was to document the responses of free-ranging cheetahs (_Acinonyx jubatus_) and other large African felids to novel scents in an attempt to refine methods for surveying felid populations. Specifically, the purpose of the study was: 1) To ascertain whether African felids are attracted to novel scents. While captive cats are drawn to a wide variety of fragrances, we wanted to assess the response of free-ranging felids to novel scents where they might i) explore scents because they are unfamiliar and interesting, or ii) avoid scents because they might be associated with human activity. 2) Assess whether these scents would elicit rubbing responses that could be used to facilitate the collection of hair samples from African felids. If successful, this technique could be used as an effective tool to non-invasively collect hair samples for genetic analyses.
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