New Zealand Journal of Zoology abstracts

---

Effectiveness of chain-springs on leghold traps for reducing injuries to captured brushtail possums (Trichosurus vulpecula)

Bruce Warburton

Landcare Research
PO Box 40
Lincoln 7640, New Zealand

Nick Poutu

Tongariro Taupo Conservancy
Department of Conservation
Private Bag
Turangi, New Zealand

Abstract    Leghold traps continue to be an essential tool for managing brushtail possums (Trichosurus vulpecula) in New Zealand. Concerns about the injuries such traps cause have given rise to efforts to make these traps more humane. One trap modification that had potential for reducing injuries was the placement of an appropriately sized spring between two links of a trap chain to provide a cushioning effect when the chain is extended. Such springs were added to Lanes-Ace and Victor No. 1½ traps and the injuries caused to captured possums were compared with those to possums captured in the same traps without springs or in Victor No. 1 traps. The addition of chain-springs reduced the severity of injuries significantly, but injury scores were still significantly higher than for possums captured in Victor No. 1 traps. Consequently, although chain-springs improved the welfare performance of the Lanes-Ace and Victor No. 1½ traps, they did not do so to such an extent that those traps could be considered as humane as the currently acceptable Victor No. 1 traps.

Keywords    animal welfare; leghold trap; pest control; possum; Trichosurus vulpecula

A07041; Online publication date 12 May 2008; Received 31 July 2007; accepted 17 January 2008

New Zealand Journal of Zoology, 2008, Vol. 35: 147–150
0301–4223/08/3502–147 © The Royal Society of New Zealand 2008

PDF file of entire paper: Print-quality (681K) | screen-quality (300K)

---

This year's abstracts | Journal home page | All abstracts | Publishing home page