cheetah capture and immobilisation handbook - Cat Specialist Group

Section 2: Physical capture of cheetahs
(2.1) Methods of physical capture
Various methods of physical capture are available for the capture of carnivores, and they
include the use of different traps. The main three types of carnivore traps are as follows:
• Box traps (also known as capture cages)
• Gin traps (not recommended)
• Padded leg-hold traps (not recommended for cheetah capture)
(a) Box-traps
Cheetahs should be captured using box traps, and the design of such traps is shown
below. Such traps usually measure around 2m by 0.75m, and allow the captured animal
some space to move around. In addition, more than one animal can be held for short
periods in box traps, for instance when several members of a social group are captured,
although the time for such holding should always be kept to a minimum. Box traps
should be built using strong, sturdy material without sharp pieces of metal where a
trapped animal could injure itself. If used properly, the risk of injury using box traps is
relatively low, although it is critical that the guidelines set out for their use should be
strictly followed. Additional advantages of box traps include easy transfer of trapped
cheetahs from the trap to a transport crate, while non-target animals captured can be
released easily and without harm.
Figure 2: Design of a box-trap
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