A Radiotelemetry System for Monitoring the Treadle Snare in Programmes for Control of Wild Canids.

Abstract

A capture-status alarm system was developed to be used in conjunction with a humane snare device used for control of wild canids in Victoria. The alarm unit transmits a unique identity code as well as indicating the capture status of the snare. Large numbers of alarm units can be allocated to a single frequency as data transmission is short and governed by a pseudo-random timer. All status information is presented in alphanumeric format on a light-emitting diode display. The system is user-friendly and does not demand a high degree of skill to operate. The alarm can be incorporated with a number of trapping devices and should enhance the efficacy and humaneness of any trapping operations.