Cage Traps

Using cage traps to capture birds or mammals is a commonly used technique for both wildlife research and management projects. Cage traps are used instead of spring (kill) traps if either the target species must be captured alive e.g. for tagging and release projects or where there is a heightened risk of capturing a non-target protected species e.g. trapping grey squirrels in areas where red squirrels are present. While the concept of cage trapping is quite simple, choosing the correct cage trap is key to success. When choosing a cage trap for your project you should ask the following:

• Will the cage trap successfully capture my target species?
• Will the cage trap minimise the capture of non-target species?
• Does the cage trap prevent injury and minimise stress to captured animals?
• Is the cage trap robust enough to be used in the target animals’ habitat? 

Unfortunately, many cheap, mass produced cage traps fail on most, if not all, of these criteria. For instance, a poorly designed and constructed cage trap may be too small to trap the target animal in the first place or it may have sharp edges (particularly clipped together cages) that cause unnecessary injury once captured. Don’t be fooled by the of the term ‘humane animal trap’ as is often used to describe cheap cage traps by many resellers. In addition, poorly designed and made traps are often not built to withstand the environment that they are to be used in. After a few uses the traps begin to malfunction thereby reducing capture rates and increasing the potential for injury to an animal.

To meet all of the criteria above, PERDIX mammal and bird cage traps have been designed and field-tested by ourselves and other wildlife professionals with many years of experience to ensure they are built to the highest standards and to all modern animal welfare guidelines.  Please contact us if you require any further help with cage traps and trapping.