CHEETAH CAPTURE AND IMMOBILISATION HANDBOOK INFORMATION FOR WCMTP CONSERVATION BIOLOGY AND MANAGEMENT COURSE NAMIBIA 2002 CHEETAH CONSERVATION FUND, OTJIWARONGO, NAMIBIA Contents Introduction………………………………………………………………………………..1 Section 1 – Background (1.1) – Cheetah subspeciation……………………………………………………..1 (1.2) – Current cheetah distribution worldwide.…………………………………..2 Section 2 – Physical capture of cheetahs (2.1) – Methods of physical capture………………………………………………4 (2.2) – Placement of cheetah traps………………………………………………...5 (2.3) – Catching an entire group of cheetahs……………………………………...8 (2.4) – Handling cheetahs once they have been captured…………………………9 (2.5) – Human safety……………………………………………………………..10 Section 3 – Chemical capture (3.1) – Preparations before chemical capture……………………………………11 (3.2) – Choosing an anaesthetic agent…………………………………………...11 (3.3) – Dosage……………………………………………………………………12 (3.4) – Administration of the anaesthetic agent………………………………….13 Section 4 - Anaesthesia (4.1) – After administration of the drug………………………………………….16 (4.2) – Once the cheetah is anaesthetised...……………………………………...16 (4.3) – Recovery from anaesthesia……………………………………………….18 (4.4) – Post-anaesthesia………………………………………………………….18 Section 5 – Biomedical examination (5.1) – Marking the cheetah for future identification……………………………21 (5.2) – Collecting biomedical samples…………………………………………..23 (5.3) – Collecting morphometric data……………………………………………26 (5.4) – Observation of abnormalities…………………………………………….30 Appendices Appendix I – Forms used by CCF for immobilisations Appendix II – Measurement protocols Appendix III – Cheetah Husbandry Manual 1 Introduction The cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus) is a highly specialised and effective hunter, and, as recently as 1900, had a vast geographic range that spanned Africa, the Middle East and across Asia into the Indian subcontinent. During the past century, however, cheetahs have suffered a dramatic decline in both range and numbers, and while the African cheetah still numbers approximately 15 000 individuals, the Asiatic cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus venaticus) has been pushed to the very brink of extinction. This subspecies is now thought only to exist in Asia, with a small, fragmented population of perhaps 50 animals remaining in Iran. Faced with such rapid decline over the past century, it is vital for conservationists across the globe to work together to formulate effective conservation strategies for the cheetah. Training future researchers is a critical part of this endeavour, and particular emphasis should be placed on capacity-building and training within cheetah range countries, so that local scientists are as well-equipped as possible to conduct necessary research and make the best-informed decisions for future conservation work. Some of this research is likely to involve invasive handling of cheetahs, whether to collect biomedical samples, radio- collar animals for future tracking, or to remove cheetahs from conflict situations. This handbook covers some of the basic techniques used at CCF for such procedures, and this information can be a useful tool for training new scientists. Through such education and training, we hope that the most effective strategies can be put in place to attempt to halt the cheetah’s rapid population decline, and to conserve a population that is viable in the longer term. Section 1 – Background (1.1) Cheetah subspeciation Although seven subspecies have been identified, five subspecies are considered valid by most taxonomists (Smithers 1975), namely: (a) Acinonyx jubatus venaticus (Griffith, 1821) – the North African/Asiatic cheetah Characteristics: Smaller than the East African cheetah, with shorter legs, no mane on nape of neck or belly, small widely spaced spots. (b) Acinonyx jubatus hecki (Hilzheimer 1913) – the West African cheetah Characteristics: Small body size (dainty), pale coat colour. (c) Acinonyx jubatus soemmeringii (Fitzinger 1855) – the Central African cheetah Characteristics: Smaller spots, widely separated, hind feet spotted, pale coat colour. (d) Acinonyx jubatus raineyii (Heller 1913) – the East African cheetah Characteristics: Longer hair similar to A. j. velox (extinct), but shorter, still has neck and belly hair, coat colour is paler, fewer spots on back. 2 (e) Acinonyx jubatus jubatus (Schreber 1776) – the Southern African cheetah. Characteristics: Smaller body size, small, well-separated spots Some taxonomists argue that sub-populations are markedly different and have thus become isolated from other populations with which they are grouped (Nowell & Jackson 1996), but the validity of the existence of sub-species is questionable due to genetic research which has shown the genetic distance between two subspecies A. j. jubatus and A. j. raineyi, is trivial, 10 to 100 times less, for example, than the genetic distance between human racial groups (O’Brien, et al. 1987). At present though, the genetics of the central African, North African, West African and Asiatic cheetahs are yet to be investigated. (1.2) Current cheetah distribution worldwide The population of cheetah has declined by nearly 90% since the turn of the century (Marker 1998) at which time the population was estimated at 100,000 individuals found throughout Asia, India, Africa and the Middle East (Myers 1975). Despite widespread distribution, cheetah populations have been greatly reduced. Over the past 50 years cheetah have become extinct in over 13 countries. Historically, the Asiatic cheetah (A. j. venaticus) was widely distributed throughout Asia. Today this subspecies has suffered a devastating decline of available habitat and prey and is nearly extinct (Kraus & Marker-Kraus 1992; Nowell & Jackson 1996), with the remaining population estimated to number fewer than 200 cheetahs (Asadi 1998; Marker 1998). A census of such an elusive species as the cheetah is very difficult, particularly since it is largely diurnal and widely roaming. There has not been a comprehensive survey of African cheetah since 1975, when Norman Myers calculated the African population of cheetah to be between 7,000 and 23,000 animals in 25 countries. The population of cheetah in Africa had decreased by half since the 1960's (Myers 1975). On the basis of his research, he estimated that there would be less than 10,000 cheetahs by 1980. Current information about the status of the cheetah in many countries, especially countries that have been engaged in long civil wars, is lacking. Today, small, fragmented populations of free-ranging cheetah inhabit a broad section of Africa including areas of North Africa, the Sahel, East, and southern Africa. From the information gathered, the current cheetah population is estimated at less than 15,000 animals throughout their range, with a low estimate of 9,000 animals and an optimistic estimate of 12,000 animals (Nowell 1996, Marker 1998). Cheetah populations are found in 29 African and 2 Asiatic countries (Marker 1998). Perhaps for the cheetah, though, individual numbers of animals may not be the important point. The question is, what are the numbers of viable populations still existing? Viable populations may be found in only half or less of the countries where cheetahs still exist. They include the following countries: Algeria, Angola, Benin, Burkina Faso, Botswana, 3 Cameroon, Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of Congo, Egypt, Ethiopia, Gambia, Kenya, Libya, Malawi, Mali, Mauritania, Mozambique, Namibia, Niger, Senegal, Somalia, South Africa, Sudan, Tanzania, Tunisia, Uganda, Western Sahara, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Iran and Pakistan (Marker 1998). There has been limited information from North or West Africa in the form of personal correspondence with field researchers and the cheetah’s future in these areas is questionable (Plowes 1991; de Smet 1990; Newby 1990; Grettenberger 1987; O’Mopsan 1998). Cheetahs continue to survive in small, pocketed groups in isolated areas throughout the Sahel. Most of these populations though cannot be considered viable for long-term survival. Controlling factors are: small populations, restricted habitats with a limited prey base, conflict with nomadic herder, and wars that have supplied guns and ammunitions to the populace who poach all forms of wildlife for food and profit. The two remaining strongholds are Kenya and Tanzania in East Africa, and Namibia, Botswana and Zimbabwe in southern Africa (Marker 1998). Figure 1: Current world cheetah distribution ? ? ? ? ? ? 4 Section 2: Physical capture of cheetahs (2.1) Methods of physical capture Various methods of physical capture are available for the capture of carnivores, and they include the use of different traps. The main three types of carnivore traps are as follows: • Box traps (also known as capture cages) • Gin traps (not recommended) • Padded leg-hold traps (not recommended for cheetah capture) (a) Box-traps Cheetahs should be captured using box traps, and the design of such traps is shown below. Such traps usually measure around 2m by 0.75m, and allow the captured animal some space to move around. In addition, more than one animal can be held for short periods in box traps, for instance when several members of a social group are captured, although the time for such holding should always be kept to a minimum. Box traps should be built using strong, sturdy material without sharp pieces of metal where a trapped animal could injure itself. If used properly, the risk of injury using box traps is relatively low, although it is critical that the guidelines set out for their use should be strictly followed. Additional advantages of box traps include easy transfer of trapped cheetahs from the trap to a transport crate, while non-target animals captured can be released easily and without harm. Figure 2: Design of a box-trap 5 (b) Other capture techniques Leg-hold traps, even padded ones, can often cause injury unless they are very sophisticated, and are not recommended as a way of catching cheetahs. Gin traps especially cause serious injury and should NEVER be used as a method of capture. The picture below demonstrates the damage that can be caused to animals captured in this way. Figure 3: Injury caused by a gin trap Additionally, while it is possible to capture cheetahs by physically running them down, the technique should also NEVER be used, as it is extremely stressful for the cheetah and the successful capture of an entire social group is very unlikely. (2.2) Placement of cheetah traps A trap just placed at random out in the bush or desert is unlikely to be effective at capturing cheetahs. For the successful placement of a cheetah trap, it is necessary to understand the ecology and behaviour of cheetahs in that area. (a) Use of habitual scent-marking sites In Namibia, cheetahs (particularly adult males) use certain trees as scent-marking locations, and these so-called ‘playtrees’ are effective sites for placing traps, although they are unlikely to capture a representative sample of the cheetah population. 6 In other countries, the use of playtrees has not been documented, but local people may know of areas and structures where cheetahs frequent and use to defaecate and scent- mark – for instance, the use of cement block road-signs in Zimbabwe. Such sites are very good capture locations as they have a relatively high visitation rate, and the cheetahs tend to have a strong desire to get to the scent-marking site. This drive is used to capture cheetahs, by blocking off access to the site and leaving only one access route, in which a box-trap is placed. In Namibia, for instance, thorn bushes are cut down and packed around playtrees, with a trap placed as the only way to get to the tree. Figure 4: Placement of a box-trap by a playtree (b) Roadways and fence-lines In areas where sites such as playtrees are not known or cannot be used, another potential capture site is along roadways and fence-lines. Especially in areas of fairly dense vegetation, cheetahs, as well as other animals, tend to walk along roads and tracks. If such a route is blocked off, for instance by using bushes to create a barrier, a cheetah will often walk through an open gap where a box-trap can be placed. Fence-lines are another popular route used by cheetahs and the same technique can be used to capture cheetahs along fences. The most effective locations will be in areas where there is some evidence, for instance by sightings of tracks, that cheetahs use those routes relatively regularly. 7 Figure 5: Setting a trap along a road (c) Waterpoints and livestock camps In arid, open areas where there is little need for cheetahs to use roads or tracks, a more useful site of capture may be at waterpoints, whether it is a dam, waterhole or trough. Box-traps can be set up near waterpoints, ideally in a location that is not too exposed and set on the most likely route from the bush to the water. Livestock camps can occasionally be useful sites for setting cheetah traps, especially if an animal in the area has become a habitual stock-raider. Again, the same principles apply, with creating a route that seems to provide access to the camp, encouraging the cheetah to take that path, and placing a box-trap as the only way of getting to the camp. (d) The use of camouflage and bait Although traps for many carnivore species must be carefully camouflaged and are usually set with either live or dead bait, in most of the cases outlined above cheetahs will enter a box-trap even if it is very visible and contains no bait. That applies most in cases where the cheetah has a strong drive to get to the site in question, for instance a playtree or sometimes a livestock camp. The only times where bait may be necessary are when there is no way of blocking off all potential routes of access for cheetahs, for instance around a waterhole. In such cases, a cage can be placed alongside the set cheetah trap, containing an animal such as a young goat or lamb that will call and attract the predator to that spot. If this is done, it is vital that the animal being used as a lure has adequate shade, food, water and bedding, is checked regularly and is not left for too long in the lure cage. 8 Figure 6: Using bait to catch a cheetah (2.3) Catching an entire group of cheetahs Cheetahs are relatively social felids, and as such often live in groups, such as a mother with cubs, newly independent littermate groups or a coalition of adult males. If one cheetah is captured, it is vital to ensure that the entire social group is trapped at the same time. If this does not happen, cubs still dependent on their mother (cheetah cubs are not independent until 16-18 months old) may starve, while the members of the group that remain free may struggle to hunt after losing a group member and may resort to taking livestock. To make sure that the entire group of cheetahs is captured, when one capture is made adjacent traps should be set up beside the trapped individual. These traps should be left open for at least another day and night, with other access points to the trapped cheetah blocked off, ensuring that the trapped cat has plenty of shade and water, as well as some food if it has been trapped for more than one night. 9