Developing a New Shock‐Collar Design for Safe and Efficient Use on Wild Wolves. (7th May 2013)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Hawley, Jason E.; Rossler, Shawn T.; Gehring, Thomas M.; Schultz, Ronald N.; Callahan, Peggy A.; Clark, Raymond; Cade, Jerry; Wydeven, Adrian P.
• Is Part Of: Wildlife Society bulletin. Volume 37:Number 2(2013:Jun.)
• Page Start: 416
• Page End: 422
• Publication Date: 2013-05-07
• Subjects: Wildlife management -- Periodicals; Wildlife conservation -- Periodicals; 333.9540973
• DOI: 10.1002/wsb.234
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0091-7648

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main" xml:lang="en"> <title>Abstract</title> <sec id="wsb234-sec-0001" sec-type="section"> <p>Electronic training collars, or shock collars, have received relatively little application as a non‐lethal management tool for reducing livestock losses caused by gray wolves (<italic>Canis lupus</italic>). One of the major obstacles to using shock collars on wolves has been the lack of a safe and efficient collar design. We developed a new shock‐collar design and tested it for safety and efficacy on captive wolves. Our design used a radiocollar with a shock unit mounted on the back. Shock units were fitted with rounded probes that contact the back of a wolf's shaved neck and with externally mounted batteries to increase battery life. We tested our design in 5 different captive trials conducted during 2003–2005 at the Wildlife Science Center, Minnesota, USA, and eliminated neck damage shown in previous shock‐collar research, while retaining the ability to effectively deliver a shock. We extended battery life to 80 days. We believe this new shock‐collar design could be used as a safe and efficient alternative to lethal control in certain situations for wild wolves. © 2013 The Wildlife Society.</p> </sec> </abstract>