Characteristics of the Unintentional Capture on the Endangered Tsushima Leopard Cat (Prionailurus bengalensis euptilurus) by Leg Snare Traps

Abstract

　To investigate the characteristics of the unintentional capture on the nationally endangered Tsushima leopard cat by leg snare traps, admission or dead body recovery records of the past 10 years at the Tsushima Wildlife Conservation Center, Ministry of the Environment were used. Data from automatic cameras for wildcat monitoring were also utilized in the study. 16 cases of wildcat capture by leg snare traps were identified, exceeding the number of traffic accidents in 2022 and 2023. Of these, 14 were adult males. The winter-spring period when wildcats were more likely to be trapped overlapped with the period when wildcats were photographed more frequently in the field. Since there is a relationship between increased wildcat activity during the mating season and the timing of incident of unintentional captures, conservation measures taken during this period would be effective in reducing unintentional captures of wildcats. Trapped wildcats are prone to moderate or severe wounds, and their affected parts and general condition deteriorate after released from the trap, so it is risky to immediately return them to the wild. Therefore, it is essential for trappers to follow the rules for trapping wild animals in order to reduce unintentional captures and increase the survival rate of wildcats that have been caught unintentionally.