University of Jiroft | Alireza Mohammadi

Research

Title	On the need for rigorous welfare and methodological reporting for the live capture of large carnivores: A response to de Araujo et al. (2021)
Type	Article
Keywords	analysis, animal welfare, large carnivores, live capture, methods, peer-review
Researchers	Anthony Caravaggi, Talita F. Amado, Ryan K. Brook, Simone Ciuti, Chris T. Darimont, Marine Drouilly, Holly M. English, Kate A. Field, Graziella Iossa, Jessica E. Martin, Alan G. McElligott, Alireza Mohammadi, Danial Nayeri, Helen M. K. O’Neill, Paul C. Paquet, Stéphanie Périquet, Gilbert Proulx, Daniella Rabaiotti, Mariano R. Recio, Carl D. Soulsbury, Tamara Tadich, Rae Wynn-Grant

Abstract

De Araujo et al. (Methods in Ecology and Evolution, 2021, https://doi. org/10.1111/2041-210X. 13516) described the development and application of a wire foot snare trap for the capture of jaguars Panthera onca and cougars Puma concolor. Snares are a commonly used and effective means of studying large carnivores. However, the article presented insufficient information to replicate the work and inadequate consideration and description of animal welfare considerations, thereby risking the perpetuation of poor standards of reporting. 2. Appropriate animal welfare assessments are essential in studies that collect data from animals, especially those that use invasive techniques, and are key in assisting researchers to choose the most appropriate capture method. It is critical that authors detail all possible associated harms and benefits to support thorough review, including equipment composition, intervention processes, general body assessments, injuries (i.e. cause, type, severity) and post-release behaviour. We offer a detailed discussion of these shortcomings.