Author/Editor		Potočnik, Hubert; Kljun, Franc; Račnik, Jožko; Skrbinšek, Tomaž; Adamič, Miha; Kos, Ivan
Title		Experience obtained from box trapping and handling wildcats in Slovenia
Type		članek
Source		Acta Theriol (warsz)
Vol. and No.		Letnik 47, št. 2
Publication year		2002
Volume		str. 211-9
Language		eng
Abstract		Wildcats Felis siluestris Sclireber, 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.
Descriptors		CARNIVORA ECOSYSTEM BEHAVIOR, ANIMAL