Proceedings of the Ninth Mountain Lion Workshop - Carnivore ...

Safety and Effectiveness of Cage Traps for the Capture of Cougar
Brian N. Kertson, Washington Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, P.O. Box
352100, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA,
bkertson@u.washington.edu
Rocky D. Spencer, (Deceased).
C. Bruce Richards, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, 16018 Mill Creek
Boulevard, Mill Creek, WA 98012, USA, richacbr@dfw.wa.gov
ABSTRACT Safe and effective capture of cougar (Puma concolor) is a critical
component of successful research and management efforts. Use of trained dogs provides
an efficient and effective means to capture cougar, but may result in serious injury or
death to animals or project personnel. As part of an ongoing study of cougar-human
interaction in western Washington, we are utilizing large (1.3m x 1.3m x 3m), steel cage
traps to supplement capture efforts using dogs. From Dec. 1-Mar. 31 traps are placed in
areas of known cougar use and baited with road-killed black-tailed deer (Odocoileus
hemionus columbianus), elk (Cervus elaphus), or nuisance-trapped beaver (Castor
canadensis). Traps are concealed using vegetation and materials found on site and one of
two varieties of commercial scent lure are applied to surrounding trees. To date, we have
captured a total of 9 cougars (7 males, 2 females) 14 times. Catch per unit effort (CPUE)
has been variable: 2004-2005: 1 cougar/34 trap nights; 2005-2006: 1 cougar/50 trap
nights; 2006-2007: 1 cougar/72 trap nights. Use of cage traps for scavenging cougar
has a male bias (χ² = 4.571, P = 0.38, 1 df), and individual males can be captured multiple
times whereas females are unlikely to be recaptured. An additional 3 cougars (all female)
were captured with traps baited using cougar-killed deer, elk, or livestock. Injuries
associated with cage traps were infrequent and most often consisted of minor cuts and
abrasions to the head and face and minor damage to the front claws. Claw damage was
eliminated with the placement of a layer of felt, 1.4cm plywood, or vegetation/dirt on the
floor of the trap. Only one tooth breakage associated with the use of the cage has been
documented with an adult female breaking < 2.0 cm of an upper canine. Advantages of
cage traps include ease of use, year-round use, and increased safety for project personnel
and captured cougar. Disadvantages include size and weight of traps, limited placement
of traps beyond road edges, and initial cost for trap construction (~$4500-$6500).
Overall, we believe cage traps provide a very safe and effective means to capture cougar
for research and management projects and can be valuable tools to supplement capture
efforts with dogs.
Proceedings of the Ninth Mountain Lion Workshop
254