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RESEARCH ARTICLE
Contents Vol 34(2)

Long-term automated monitoring of the distribution of small carnivores

C. M. King A B D , R. M. McDonald A , R. D. Martin A C , G. W. Tempero A B and S. J. Holmes A
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations

A HortResearch, Private Bag 3123, Hamilton, New Zealand.

B Department of Biological Sciences, University of Waikato, Private Bag 3105, Hamilton, New Zealand.

C Present address: Department of Conservation, Tongariro Taupo Conservancy, Private Bag, Turangi, New Zealand.

D Corresponding author. Email: cmking@waikato.ac.nz

Wildlife Research 34(2) 140-148 https://doi.org/10.1071/WR05091
Submitted: 16 October 2006  Accepted: 31 January 2007   Published: 24 April 2007

Abstract

A new automated monitoring device for small carnivores, the Scentinel®, is a ‘smart’ tracking tunnel. It records time, date, weight and a digital photograph of every animal visiting it, and stores the data to be downloaded on command. This paper describes a field trial aiming, first, to verify the Scentinel’s species identifications against those given by footprint tracking papers, and then to compare the efficacy of routine monitoring with the Scentinel against standard tunnel tracking methods. In February–April 2005 we identified to species 98% of 1559 visiting animals, mainly hedgehogs (Erinaceus europaeus), ferrets (Mustela furo), cats (Felis catus) and rats (Rattus rattus and R. norvegicus) in 1718 Scentinel-nights. In May–June 2005 we set up three monitoring lines 1 km apart, each with 10 tracking tunnels and two Scentinels. We recorded 656 visits by ship rats (Rattus rattus), 88% of them on only one of the three lines, in 198 Scentinel-nights (over 5 weeks). The 30 footprint tracking tunnels set intermittently (360 trap-nights) recorded high (70–100%) tracking rates on all lines. The presence of a stoat (Mustela erminea) was detected by both methods, but earlier by Scentinels than by tracking tunnels. These results confirm that it is possible to use automated devices to record detailed monitoring data on small carnivores in remote areas over long periods, unaffected by interference or bait loss from common non-target species.


Acknowledgements

For core funding and support we thank the Foundation for Research Science and Technology (Contract CO6X0303), supplemented by the University of Waikato, Environment Waikato, Environment Bay of Plenty and the Alma Baker Trust. For assistance in the field and for technical support we thank A. Harwood and W. Deighton (Limestone Downs Station); T. Connolly, A. Dekrout, P. Gaastra, S. McIntosh, M. Prentice, M. Stirnemann, I. Stirnemann and A. Winterink (HortResearch); D. Bell, B. Patty, and G. Reynolds (University of Waikato); and J. Day, C. Speedy (Epro Ltd, Taupo). Thanks also to the farmers who gave us permission to work on their land. Anal glands were taken by R. Sharpe (Gribbles Pathology, Hamilton) from carcases collected in our study area by Epro Ltd, extracted and concentrated by A. A. Woolhouse (IRL-BioPharm, Lower Hutt), and mounted into blocks of ‘Albert’ by P. Silcock (Product Development Research Centre, Food Science Department, University of Otago) with the permission of FonterraTech. All procedures were authorised by both the University of Waikato and the Ruakura Animal Ethics Committees. For helpful comments on previous drafts of this and related manuscripts we thank C. Gillies, J. Innes, M. Johnston, C. Miller, P. Morris, P. Schaare, B. Ward and A. Gunson.


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