New Zealand Journal of Zoology abstracts

---

Field trials of slow-release synthetic lures for stoats (Mustela erminea) and ferrets (M. furo)

B. KAY CLAPPERTON

49 Margaret Ave
Havelock North, New Zealand

S. M. PHILLIPSON

Department of Conservation
P.O. Box 8
Arthur's Pass, New Zealand

A. D. WOOLHOUSE

Industrial Research Ltd
P.O. Box 31 310
Lower Hutt, New Zealand

Abstract  Experimental field trials were used to compare the attractiveness to stoats (Mustela erminea) and ferrets (M. furo) of traps set with either a synthetic scent lure or with fresh food bait. One lure, containing 2-n-propylthietane, effectively attracted as many ferrets as did rabbit meat bait. Fewer stoats were caught with this lure than with egg bait. Made up in a slow-release formulation in "plastic rope", the lure remained attractive to ferrets for at least 2 weeks under sunny field conditions. Traps containing a second lure, 3-n-propyl-1,2-dithiolane, were less successful at catching both mustelid species than those containing fresh food baits. The scent lures were not attractive to non-target species, but neither did they deter some species.

Keywords  stoat; Mustela erminea; ferret; Mustela furo; scent lure; attractiveness; longevity; trapping

New Zealand Journal of Zoology, 1994, Vol. 21: 279-284

0301-4223/2103-0279 $2.50/0   (c) The Royal Society of New Zealand 1994

PDF file of entire paper: medium quality (313K); (scanned from paper original: notes about this process)

---

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