Capture, immobilization, and Global Positioning System collaring of olive baboons (Papio anubis) and vervets (Chlorocebus pygerythrus): Lessons learned and suggested best practices. Issue 6 (10th June 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Isbell, Lynne A.; Bidner, Laura R.; Omondi, George; Mutinda, Mathew; Matsumoto‐Oda, Akiko
• Is Part Of: American journal of primatology. Volume 81:Issue 6(2019)
• Page Start: n/a
• Page End: n/a
• Publication Date: 2019-06-10
• Subjects: adverse effects of collars -- biotelemetry -- Global Positioning Systems -- positive outcomes -- primates; Primates -- Periodicals; Primates -- Périodiques; 599.8
• DOI: 10.1002/ajp.22997
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0275-2565

Abstract

Abstract: As the value of Global Positioning System (GPS) technology in addressing primatological questions becomes more obvious, more studies will include capturing and collaring primates, with concomitant increased risk of adverse consequences to primate subjects. Here we detail our experiences in capturing, immobilizing, and placing GPS collars on six olive baboons ( Papio anubis ) in four groups and 12 vervet monkeys ( Chlorocebus pygerythrus ) in five groups in Kenya. We captured baboons with cage traps and vervets with box traps, immobilized them, and attached GPS collars that were to be worn for 1 year. Adverse consequences from the trapping effort included incidental death of two nonsubjects (an adult female and her dependent infant), temporary rectal prolapse in one baboon, superficial wounds on the crown of the head in two vervets, and failure to recapture/remove collars from two baboons and two vervets. Obvious negative effects from wearing collars were limited to abrasions around the neck of one vervet. A possible, and if so, serious, adverse effect was greater mortality for collared adult female vervets compared with known uncollared adult female vervets, largely due to leopard ( Panthera pardus ) predation. Collared animals could be more vulnerable to predation because trapping favors bolder individuals, who may also be more vulnerable to predation, or because collars could slow them down or make them more noticeable to predators. Along with recommendations made by others, we suggest that future studies diversify trapping bait to minimize the risk of rectal prolapse, avoid capturing the first individuals to enter traps, test the movement speeds of collared versus noncollared animals, include a release system on the collars to avoid retrapping failure, and publish both positive and negative effects of capturing, immobilizing, and collaring. Abstract : Camera trap image of a Global Positioning System‐collared adult female olive baboon. RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS: We captured and Global Positioning System (GPS)‐collared 12 adult female vervets in five groups and six adult female olive baboons in four groups in Kenya. Adverse effects of trapping included the incidental death of two nontarget vervets, superficial head wounds on two vervets, temporary rectal prolapse in one baboon, and development of trap aversion in both species. Obvious adverse effects of wearing the collars were limited to abrasions around the neck of one vervet. Possible adverse effects included potentially higher mortality of collared vervets than known uncollared groupmates, largely from leopard predation. Future studies involving capture, immobilization, and GPS collaring are encouraged to describe negative as well as positive outcomes of the trapping process.