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Reducing nontarget recaptures of an endangered predator using conditioned aversion and reward removal
Author(s) -
Phillips Reese Brand,
Winchell Clark S.
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
journal of applied ecology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.503
H-Index - 181
eISSN - 1365-2664
pISSN - 0021-8901
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2664.2011.02044.x
Subject(s) - endangered species , predation , wildlife , felis catus , threatened species , predator , fishery , biology , wildlife conservation , ecology , habitat
Summary 1. Live‐trapping is a fundamental tool in the study of wildlife species and populations. Capture of nontarget species is an inherent side‐effect of trapping animals that is inefficient and potentially detrimental to individuals and populations. Reducing recapture of nontarget species will increase the efficiency of long‐term studies and projects, and minimize unwanted impacts. 2. During the initial stages of a 3‐year feral cat Felis catus control programme on San Clemente Island, California, USA, we experienced high recapture rates of nontarget endangered San Clemente Island foxes Urocyon littoralis clementae , impacting project efficiency and potentially foxes. 3. We investigated whether we could modify our baiting strategy to reduce fox recaptures using behavioural modification techniques, while simultaneously maintaining the ability to capture feral cats. We tested two strategies, aversive conditioning and reward removal, to reduce fox recapture rates. 4. Using lithium chloride (LC) as an aversive agent, we reduced fox recapture rates more than 10 times compared with rates using control bait. Using the reward removal technique, we reduced fox recapture rates almost 20 times compared with control baits. Neither behavioural modification technique deterred cats from entering traps, and our results suggest that by reducing fox recaptures, we improved our ability to capture cats. 5. Synthesis and applications . These novel baiting strategies have wide applicability in wildlife research and management. The efficiency of long‐term monitoring or control programmes may be enhanced by discouraging recapture of ‘trap happy’ animals. Potential impacts to threatened species confined in traps could be minimized by reducing recaptures. Sampling of rare species in biodiversity studies could be improved by reducing recapture of competitively superior or numerically dominant species.