Capturing and radio ear‐tagging neonatal vicuñas

Autor: Emiliano Donadio, Mariel Ruiz Blanco, Ramiro D. Crego, Steven W. Buskirk, Andrés J. Novaro
Jazyk: angličtina
Rok vydání: 2012
Předmět:
Zdroj: Wildlife Society Bulletin, Vol 36, Iss 1, Pp 119-123 (2012)
Druh dokumentu: article
ISSN: 2328-5540
DOI: 10.1002/wsb.117
Popis: Abstract We used and evaluated the effectiveness of a hand‐capture technique to capture and mark neonatal vicuñas (Vicugna vicugna) at San Guillermo National Park, west‐central Argentina. We captured and marked 98 neonates during 5–31 January, 2008–2010. Capture success was 92% (106 attempts), with stationary marking teams being 2.5 times as successful in detecting and capturing neonates as mobile ones. Of neonates captured, 99% were 20 minutes old typically were too mobile to capture. Sex ratio at capture was biased toward males (1.5:1), while mean body weight and neck circumference were similar between sexes. Generally, mothers remained in sight during, and immediately reunited with their neonates after, capture. Four percent of the mothers ran out of sight but then returned, while 2% failed to return. Capture‐related mortality was 5%, with maternal abandonment in response to capture activities (n = 3) the leading cause. Ear‐tag transmitter had minimal effects on subsequent ear position. The success of our technique likely was based on terrain (flat) and vegetative conditions (short grass), high densities of animals for monitoring (particularly in a meadow), and a predictable, pulsed birth season. This hand‐capturing method was efficient for handling and marking neonatal vicuñas. Combined with the use of ear‐tag transmitters, it allows the study of important perinatal processes, including movement and mortality. © 2012 The Wildlife Society.
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