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Abstract

Program Timing Trap placement and habituation occurs toward the end of the rainy season (March - May). Sample collection occurs annually during the rainforest dry season (June - August). Sample analyses is ongoing between September and April each year. Team Composition This protocol is intended to be carried out by a team of 4 individuals, including at least 2 trained personnel. Roles include: (1) designated handler; (2) chemical restraint operator; (3) sampling assistant; (4) data recorder. Program Overview Tomahawk live traps are set up at multiple locations encompassing major habitat types surrounding the field station (terra firme, flood plain, swamp, bamboo, successional forest, primary forest, edge forest, etc). Locations are selected based on prior knowledge from the area, camera trap footage, or following standard line transect methodology. Traps may be placed but not activated for a long period of time, until there is evidence that capture of the target animal is likely and predictable.We intend for 10-20 captures each season. Capture Overview When a tomahawk trap is baited and activated it is also fitted with a real-time, remote alert system -> medium- to large-size mammals will be chemically restrained with injectable anesthetic agents (10-15 min) -> upon induction, the animal is extracted from the trap for safe processing of morphometric measurements, photographs, nonlethal tissue collection (skin biopsy, fur/nail, blood, mucosal swabs), and placement of microchips or ID tags (20 min) -> an antagonist is administered and the animal is transferred into a covered holding cage, with 3-minute checks for breathing and movement until fully alert (on average ~ 10 - 15 minutes) -> once fully alert, animals are released at the site of capture. Capture (Additional Details) Animals are diverse in their behaviors, attraction to bait, and use of forest habitat. Occasionally, for species where capture with a Tomahawk Trap is not possible, such as sloths and anteaters, a capture attempt with the aid of restraining tools may be performed during a chance encounter. In this case, animal processing will be the same as described in this protocol.