Sniffing out the stakes: hair-snares for wild cats in arid environments
Petra U. Hanke A B and Christopher R. Dickman A
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations
A Desert Ecology Research Group, School of Biological Sciences A08, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia.
B Corresponding author. Email: phan8664@uni.sydney.edu.au
Wildlife Research 40(1) 45-51 https://doi.org/10.1071/WR12210
Submitted: 15 March 2012 Accepted: 13 January 2013 Published: 6 February 2013
Abstract
Context: Wild cats (Felis spp.) are difficult to monitor because of their cryptic lifestyle and usually low numbers. Hair-snaring is a promising non-invasive method being used increasingly to estimate mammal populations.
Aims: Our aim was to carry out pilot trials of a simple hair-snare designed to capture hair from wild cats in arid environments.
Methods: Roughened wooden stakes were set at multiple sites on the crests of sand dunes and in swales in western Queensland, Australia, and in mostly sandy habitats of the Namib and Kalahari Deserts, Namibia. In Australia, stakes were sprayed with cat urine, extracts of catnip or valerian herbs as lures, or left untreated; in Namibia, alternate stakes were sprayed with a food lure of tuna emulsion oil. The stakes were checked for hair, usually daily, for 2–14 days, and the surrounding ground was inspected for tracks. Remote cameras also were used at some sites to confirm the identity of visitors to stakes.
Key results: In Australia, feral cats (Felis catus) were attracted to, and left hairs on, stakes sprayed with cat urine six times more frequently than to unsprayed stakes irrespective of whether snares were on dune crests or in swales, and showed no response to catnip or valerian. Tracks and photos showed that cats, dingoes or wild dogs (Canis lupus ssp.) and foxes (Vulpes vulpes) also approached and sniffed the stakes. In Namibia, F. catus, F. lybica and F. nigripes left hair on stakes, with deposition rates two and a half-fold higher at stakes with the food lure than without it. At least five other species of predators visited the hair-snare sites.
Conclusions: Simple wooden stakes provide a cheap and simple method of snaring hairs from wild cats, especially if used in conjunction with appropriate lures. Our results broadly support previous work, and extend the utility of the method to different Felis spp. in arid habitats.
Implications: Further research is needed on snares to investigate the seasonal efficiency of different lures. If DNA also is to be extracted to identify individuals, more work is needed to confirm that snares yield hair of sufficient quality to allow this.
Additional keywords: Felis catus, F. lybica, F. nigripes, F. silvestris, hair sampling, odour.
References
Banks, S. C., Hoyle, S. D., Horsup, A., Sunnucks, P., and Taylor, A. C. (2003). Demographic monitoring of an entire species (the northern hairy-nosed wombat, Lasiorhinus krefftii) by genetic analysis of non-invasively collected material. Animal Conservation 6, 101–107.| Demographic monitoring of an entire species (the northern hairy-nosed wombat, Lasiorhinus krefftii) by genetic analysis of non-invasively collected material.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Baumann, D., Jedicke, E., Metzger, M., and Wenzel, M. (2009). ‘Heimliche Katzen: Im Land der Offenen Fernen. ZGF Gorilla.’ Available at http://www.allianz-umweltstiftung.de/upload/allianzumweltstiftung/download/wildkatze_heimliche_katzen.pdf [verified 28 November 2010].
Bengsen, A., Butler, J., and Masters, P. (2011). Estimating and indexing feral cat population abundances using camera traps. Wildlife Research 38, 732–739.
| Estimating and indexing feral cat population abundances using camera traps.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Berry, O., Algar, D., Angus, J., Hamilton, N., Hilmer, S., and Sutherland, D. (2012). Genetic tagging reveals a significant impact of poison baiting on an invasive species. The Journal of Wildlife Management 76, 729–739.
| Genetic tagging reveals a significant impact of poison baiting on an invasive species.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Bremner-Harrison, S., Harrison, S. W. R., Cypher, B. L., Murdoch, J. D., Maldonado, J., and Darden, S. K. (2006). Development of a single-sampling noninvasive hair snare. Wildlife Society Bulletin 34, 456–461.
| Development of a single-sampling noninvasive hair snare.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Broquet, T., Ménard, N., and Petit, E. (2007). Noninvasive population genetics: a review of sample source, diet, fragment length and microsatellite motif effects on amplification success and genotyping error rates. Conservation Genetics 8, 249–260.
| Noninvasive population genetics: a review of sample source, diet, fragment length and microsatellite motif effects on amplification success and genotyping error rates.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Brunner, H., and Coman, B. J. (1974). ‘The Identification of Mammalian Hair.’ (Inkata Press: Melbourne.)
Brunner, H., and Triggs, B., and Ecobyte Pty Ltd (2002). ‘Hair ID: an Interactive Tool for Identifying Australian Mammalian Hair.’ (CSIRO Publishing: Melbourne.)
Burki, S., Roth, T., Robin, K., and Weber, D. (2010). Lure sticks as a method to detect pine martens Martes martes. Acta Theriologica 55, 223–230.
| Lure sticks as a method to detect pine martens Martes martes.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Castro-Arellano, I., Madrid-Luna, C., Lacher, T. E., and Léon-Paniagua, L. (2008). Hair-trap efficacy for detecting mammalian carnivores in the tropics. The Journal of Wildlife Management 72, 1405–1412.
| Hair-trap efficacy for detecting mammalian carnivores in the tropics.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Clapperton, B. K., Eason, C. T., Weston, R. J., Woolhouse, A. D., and Morgan, D. R. (1994). Development and testing of attractants for feral cats, Felis catus L. Wildlife Research 21, 389–399.
| Development and testing of attractants for feral cats, Felis catus L.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Clevenger, A. P., and Sawaya, M. A. (2010). Piloting a non-invasive genetic sampling method for evaluating population-level benefits of wildlife crossing structures. Ecology and Society 15, 7.
Denny, E. A., and Dickman, C. R. (2010). ‘Review of Cat Ecology and Management Strategies in Australia.’ (Invasive Animals Cooperative Research Centre: Canberra.)
Denny, E., Yakovlevich, P., Eldridge, M. D. B., and Dickman, C. R. (2002). Social and genetic analysis of a population of free-living cats (Felis catus L.) exploiting a resource-rich habitat. Wildlife Research 29, 405–413.
| Social and genetic analysis of a population of free-living cats (Felis catus L.) exploiting a resource-rich habitat.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Dickman, C. R. (1995). Diets and habitat preferences of three species of crocidurine shrews in arid southern Africa. Journal of Zoology 237, 499–514.
| Diets and habitat preferences of three species of crocidurine shrews in arid southern Africa.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Dickman, C. R. (1996). Impact of exotic generalist predators on the native fauna of Australia. Wildlife Biology 2, 185–195.
Dickman, C. R., Glasby, T. M., Higgs, P. A., Curtin, A., Drury, R. L., and Honywood, M. A. J. (1994). Captures of birds in mammal traps: chance or opportunism? The Ostrich 65, 345–348.
Dickman, C. R., Mannheimer, C., and Pallett, J. (1995). Dietary selectivity of the spotted eagle owl, Bubo africanus, in the western Kalahari. Cimbebasia 14, 31–36.
Dickman, C. R., Greenville, A. C., Tamayo, B., and Wardle, G. M. (2011). Spatial dynamics of small mammals in central Australian desert habitats: the role of drought refugia. Journal of Mammalogy 92, 1193–1209.
| Spatial dynamics of small mammals in central Australian desert habitats: the role of drought refugia.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Dredge, P. D. (1993). ‘Impact of Feral Cats on Native Tasmanian Fauna. Stage One: Investigation and Testing of Control Methods.’ (Australian Nature Conservation Agency: Canberra.)
Edwards, G. P., Piddington, K. C., and Paltridge, R. M. (1997). Field evaluation of olfactory lures for feral cats (Felis catus L.) in central Australia. Wildlife Research 24, 173–183.
| Field evaluation of olfactory lures for feral cats (Felis catus L.) in central Australia.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Edwards, G. P., De Preu, N. D., Crealy, I. V., and Shakeshaft, B. J. (2002). Habitat selection by feral cats and dingoes in a semi-arid woodland environment in central Australia. Austral Ecology 27, 26–31.
| Habitat selection by feral cats and dingoes in a semi-arid woodland environment in central Australia.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Gillies, C. A., and Fitzgerald, B. M. (2005). Feral cat Felis catus Linnaeus, 1758. In ‘The Handbook of New Zealand Mammals’. (Ed. C. M. King.) pp. 308–326. (Oxford University Press: Melbourne.)
Goossens, B., Waits, L. P., and Taberlet, P. (1998). Plucked hair samples as a source of DNA: reliability of dinucleotide microsatellite genotyping. Molecular Ecology 7, 1237–1241.
| Plucked hair samples as a source of DNA: reliability of dinucleotide microsatellite genotyping.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DyaK1cXmtFOisbg%3D&md5=241584a139061e748fad7973d13fcd87CAS |
Griffin, M. (1990). A review of taxonomy and ecology of gerbilline rodents of the central Namib Desert, with keys to the species (Rodentia: Muridae). In ‘Namib Ecology: 25 Years of Namib Research’. (Ed. M. K. Seely.) pp. 83–98. (Transvaal Museum: Pretoria, South Africa.)
Grognet, J. (1990). Catnip: Its uses and effects, past and present. The Canadian Veterinary Journal. La Revue Veterinaire Canadienne 31, 455–456.
| 1:STN:280:DC%2BC3crpsVOquw%3D%3D&md5=73d8133167e1853b6ae29c89c1ff4271CAS |
Haythornthwaite, A. S., and Dickman, C. R. (2006). Distribution, abundance, and individual strategies: a multi-scale analysis of dasyurid marsupials in arid central Australia. Ecography 29, 285–300.
| Distribution, abundance, and individual strategies: a multi-scale analysis of dasyurid marsupials in arid central Australia.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Herrick, J. R., Campbell, M., Levens, G., Moore, T., Benson, K., D’Agostino, J., West, G., Okeson, D. M., Coke, R., Portacio, S. C., Leiske, K., Kreider, C., Polumbo, P. J., and Swanson, W. F. (2010). In vitro fertilization and sperm cryopreservation in the black-footed cat (Felis nigripes) and sand cat (Felis margarita). Biology of Reproduction 82, 552–562.
| In vitro fertilization and sperm cryopreservation in the black-footed cat (Felis nigripes) and sand cat (Felis margarita).Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BC3cXisVeku7w%3D&md5=ef0e638f2454144a57206c1ada9221c5CAS |
Hess, S. C., Banko, P. C., and Hansen, H. (2009). An adaptive strategy for reducing feral cat predation on endangered Hawaiian birds. Pacific Conservation Biology 15, 56–64.
Hupe, K., and Simon, O. (2007). ‘Die Lockstockmethode – Eine Nicht Invasive Methode zum Nachweis der Europäischen Wildkatze (Felis silvestris silvestris). Informationsdienst Naturschutz Niedersachsen.’ Available at http://213.160.69.191/jagdeinrichtungsbuero/10_Hupe%2BSimon_LockstockWK.pdf [verified 28 October 2010].
Kery, M., Gardner, B., Stoeckle, T., Weber, D., and Royle, J. A. (2011). Use of spatial capture-recapture modeling and DNA data to estimate densities of elusive animals. Conservation Biology 25, 356–364.
| Use of spatial capture-recapture modeling and DNA data to estimate densities of elusive animals.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Kitchener, A. (1991). ‘The Natural History of the Wild Cats.’ (Christopher Helm: London.)
Letnic, M., Story, P., Story, G., Field, J., Brown, O., and Dickman, C. R. (2011). Resource pulses, switching trophic control, and the dynamics of small mammal assemblages in arid Australia. Journal of Mammalogy 92, 1210–1222.
| Resource pulses, switching trophic control, and the dynamics of small mammal assemblages in arid Australia.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Macdonald, D. W., Daniels, M. J., Driscoll, C., Kitchener, A., and Yamaguchi, N. (2004). ‘The Scottish Wildcat: Analyses for Conservation and an Action Plan.’ (Wildlife Conservation Research Unit: Oxford, UK.)
Mahon, P. S., Banks, P. B., and Dickman, C. R. (1998). Population indices for wild carnivores: a critical study in sand-dune habitat, south-western Queensland. Wildlife Research 25, 11–22.
| Population indices for wild carnivores: a critical study in sand-dune habitat, south-western Queensland.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Medina, F. M., and Nogales, M. (2009). A review on the impacts of feral cats (Felis silvestris catus) in the Canary Islands: implications for the conservation of its endangered fauna. Biodiversity and Conservation 18, 829–846.
| A review on the impacts of feral cats (Felis silvestris catus) in the Canary Islands: implications for the conservation of its endangered fauna.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Molsher, R. L. (2001). Trapping and demographics of feral cats (Felis catus) in central New South Wales. Wildlife Research 28, 631–636.
| Trapping and demographics of feral cats (Felis catus) in central New South Wales.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Moseby, K. E., Selfe, R., and Freeman, A. (2004). Attraction of auditory and olfactory lures to feral cats, red foxes, European rabbits and burrowing bettongs. Ecological Management & Restoration 5, 228–231.
| Attraction of auditory and olfactory lures to feral cats, red foxes, European rabbits and burrowing bettongs.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Moseby, K. E., Stott, J., and Crisp, H. (2009). Movement patterns of feral predators in an arid environment – implications for control through poison baiting. Wildlife Research 36, 422–435.
| Movement patterns of feral predators in an arid environment – implications for control through poison baiting.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Nowell, K., and Jackson, P. (1996). ‘Wild Cats: Status Survey and Conservation Action Plan.’ (International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources: Gland, Switzerland.)
Piggott, M. P., and Taylor, A. C. (2003). Remote collection of animal DNA and its applications in conservation management and understanding the population biology of rare and cryptic species. Wildlife Research 30, 1–13.
| Remote collection of animal DNA and its applications in conservation management and understanding the population biology of rare and cryptic species.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Robley, A., Ramsay, D., Woodford, L., Lindeman, M., Johnston, M., and Forsyth, D. (2008). Evaluation of detection methods and sampling designs used to determine the abundance of feral cats. Arthur Rylah Institute for Environmental Research Technical Report Series 181, 1–19.
Ruibal, M., Peakall, R., Claridge, A., Murray, A., and Firestone, K. (2010). Advancement to hair-sampling surveys of a medium-sized mammal: DNA-based individual identification and population estimation of a rare Australian marsupial, the spotted-tailed quoll (Dasyurus maculatus). Wildlife Research 37, 27–38.
| Advancement to hair-sampling surveys of a medium-sized mammal: DNA-based individual identification and population estimation of a rare Australian marsupial, the spotted-tailed quoll (Dasyurus maculatus).Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BC3cXisFGku70%3D&md5=677e299f8ddf89174d493130fdcf98e2CAS |
Schlexer, F. V. (2008). Attracting animals to detection devices. In ‘Noninvasive Survey Methods for Carnivores’. (Eds R. A. Long, P. MacKay, W. J. Zielinski and J. C. Ray.) pp. 263–292. (Island Press: Washington, DC.)
Short, J., Turner, B., and Risbey, D. (2002). Control of feral cats for nature conservation. III. Trapping. Wildlife Research 29, 475–487.
| Control of feral cats for nature conservation. III. Trapping.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Simon, O., and Hupe, K. (2008). ‘Nachweis der Wildkatze (Felis silvestris silvestris). Jahrbuch Naturschutz in Hessen 12/2008.’ Available at http://www.tieroekologie.com/de/veroeffentlichungen/pdf/Wildkatze_Lockstock%20Kellerwald_JNH_2008.pdf [verified 14 November 2010].
Skinner, J. D., and Smithers, R. H. N. (1990). ‘The Mammals of the Southern African Subregion.’ (University of Pretoria: Pretoria, South Africa.)
Steyer, K., Simon, O., Kraus, R. H. S., Haase, P., and Nowak, C. (2013). Hair trapping with valerian-treated lure sticks as a tool for genetic wildcat monitoring in low-density habitats. European Journal of Wildlife Research , .
| Hair trapping with valerian-treated lure sticks as a tool for genetic wildcat monitoring in low-density habitats.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Todd, N. B. (1962). Inheritance of the catnip response in domestic cats. The Journal of Heredity 53, 54–56.
| 1:STN:280:DyaF387htlWhtA%3D%3D&md5=459ef580f68a77de6afcc6fa28d4ac5fCAS |
Tucker, A. O., and Tucker, S. S. (1988). Catnip and the catnip response. Economic Botany 42, 214–231.
| Catnip and the catnip response.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DyaL1cXmt1Kltrs%3D&md5=8dab9371fd2d81159a5bd269652af4b2CAS |
Veitch, C. R. (1985). Methods of eradicating feral cats from offshore islands in New Zealand. In ‘Conservation of Island Birds’. (Ed. P. J. Moors.) pp. 125–141. (International Council for Bird Preservation: Cambridge, UK.)
Vine, S. J., Crowther, M. S., Lapidge, S. J., Dickman, C. R., Mooney, N., Piggott, M. P., and English, A. W. (2009). Comparison of methods to detect rare and cryptic species: a case study using the red fox (Vulpes vulpes). Wildlife Research 36, 436–446.
| Comparison of methods to detect rare and cryptic species: a case study using the red fox (Vulpes vulpes).Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Weaver, J. L., Wood, P., Paetkau, D., and Laack, L. L. (2005). Use of scented hair snares to detect ocelots. Wildlife Society Bulletin 33, 1384–1391.
| Use of scented hair snares to detect ocelots.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Withers, P. C. (1983). Seasonal reproduction by small mammals of the Namib Desert. Mammalia 47, 195–204.
| Seasonal reproduction by small mammals of the Namib Desert.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
