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| Location: |
Asia - South East Asia - Malaysia - Peninsular |
| Subject: |
Translocation - Methods |
| Species: |
Asian Rhino Species |
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During the initial stage of trapping in November and December 1985, a rather primitive pitfall trap was designated and set up at Bukit Gebok, Kambau, and Ulu Atok. The pit measured 8' x 8' x 6' (length x width x depth). As a result of the poor design, the capture team faced severe setback when two animals escaped from the pitfall traps in Ulu Atok and Kambau. The animals were able to excavate the earth on the wall and gather the leaves and twigs used as shock absorber to help in their escape. Subsequently a new design was made with major modifications in width and depth and reinforced wall. The new pits measured 10' x 4' x 8' with strong plywood wall and were used in Ulu Atok, Tenggaroh and Sungai Dusun. Finally, two rhinos were caught in the newly designed pits and the animals were sent to the Malacca Zoo.
The pitfall trap had some major problems associated with it. First of all, where the soil had poor drainage, flooding and landslide usually occured. The pit must be closed when flooded at 1.5' and stronger wall should be built to prevent the pit from caving in. Secondly, the interference from nontarget species: there were incidents of tapir, elephant, cattle and even human beings trapped in the pits. There is nothing that can be done to prevent such non-target species from falling into the pits. Even sign boards erected for the benefit of man, went unnoticed. Thirdly, the duration of waiting time spent before a rhino is trapped is unpredictable. A pit at Ulu Atok trapped a rhino within 12 hours from the time it was completed and activated, but at the same time, there are some traps that are even now not at all effective in trapping either a rhino or a non-target animal.
Therefore, the site selection is very important and it is the factor that determines the success or failure of a pitfall trap. The trapping team should be properly trained to distinguish between ordinary trails used by animals and rhino highway or major trail. The cosmetics of the pit surface is also important. After the trap is set, the area must look as natural as it was before. Finally, there are problems from porcupines and termites that chew the timber and plywood. Woody materials should therefore be treated prior to use.
The cost of building a 10' x 4' x 8' pit in terms of materials and salaries for workers is MS$ 1,426.40 and MS$ 1,534.66 respectively. The cost is based on the use of highly trained workers who have had good experience in building such traps in June 1986. When however, the programme was first started in November 1985, at a time when there was none with any experience, the total cost was more than MS$ 5,000.00 per pit.
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Rhino trapping in Malaysia
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