|
Keywords
|
analysis, animal welfare, large carnivores, live capture, methods, peer-review
|
|
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.
|