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Assessing methods to live‐capture wild boars ( Sus scrofa ) in urban and peri‐urban environments
Author(s) -
TorresBlas Irene,
Mentaberre Gregorio,
CastilloContreras Raquel,
FernándezAguilar Xavier,
Conejero Carles,
Valldeperes Marta,
GonzálezCrespo Carlos,
ColomCadena Andreu,
Lavín Santiago,
LópezOlvera Jorge Ramón
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
veterinary record
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.261
H-Index - 99
eISSN - 2042-7670
pISSN - 0042-4900
DOI - 10.1136/vr.105766
Subject(s) - wild boar , cage , biology , zoology , veterinary medicine , drop (telecommunication) , ecology , medicine , telecommunications , mathematics , combinatorics , computer science
Background Wild boar ( Sus scrofa ) populations are increasing worldwide and invading urban areas. Live‐capture can improve the management of this challenge, maximising efficiency, allowing scientific studies and potentially improving animal welfare. This study assesses teleanaesthesia, drop‐net, corral trap and cage trap to live‐capture wild boar in urban and peri‐urban areas, evaluating efficiency and animal stress through haematology and serum biochemistry. Methods From 2012 to 2018, 655 wild boars were captured in 279 operations (drop‐net=17, teleanaesthesia=186, cage trap=66 and corral trap=10) in the urban and peri‐urban areas of Barcelona (Spain). Haematological and serum biochemical variables were determined in 145 wild boars (42 drop‐netted, 41 teleanaesthetised, 38 cage‐trapped and 24 corral‐trapped). Results Performance (wild boars captured per operation) was highest for drop‐net, followed by corral and cage traps, and finally teleanaesthesia. The three physical capture methods were more stressful than teleanaesthesia, causing a more intense physiological reaction, muscular damage, renal function impairment and homeostasis adaption. Stress response was predominantly adrenergic for drop‐net and cortisol‐induced for cage and corral traps. Conclusion Teleanaesthesia is the choice in reactive urban situations thanks to its adaptability; drop‐net effectively targets wild boars in peri‐urban environments; cage and corral traps are useful as long‐term methods in specific areas.