An evaluation of two possum trap types for catch-efficiency and humaneness

Abstract

A padded leg-hold trap (Victor 1½ Soft Catch™) and a kill-trap (Timms™) were compared for their catch-efficiency and humaneness during work on an eradication plan. Forty five Timms and forty Soft Catch traps were set alternately for three nights on two islands in the Hauraki Gulf. The Soft Catch traps were found to be at least three times as efficient as the Timms. No animals escaped from the Timms trap whereas at least 15 possums managed to free themselves from the Soft Catch traps, and these may be trap shy in the future. None of the possums or non-target animals caught in Soft Catch traps sustained significant physical injuries while being held. The majority of animals caught in the Timms trap appeared to have been killed quickly, but there were signs to indicate that several possums may not have died immediately. Both traps caught non-target animals. It appears that the Soft Catch trap is a more suitable trap than the Timms for undertaking a possum eradication programme.

Keywords:

• brushtail possum
• Trichosurus vulpecula
• possum trap
• kill-trap
• leg-hold trap
• Soft Catch trap
• eradication