Trapping in predator management: catching the profile of trap users in Sweden

Abstract

Many populations of wildlife, including large-and medium-sized predators are increasing in Europe. Trapping can be one way to reduce negative impacts of predators on human interests, such as game species and threatened species, but there is little knowledge of trap usage and motivation behind it. We used a mail survey in Sweden (n=3,886 respondents) to compare predator trappers with hunters who used other methods to kill predators, and with other hunters who did not kill predators, in regard to sociodemographics, beliefs, behaviors, and constraints. During 12 months prior to the survey 19 % of respondents had trapped any small-or medium-sized predator, while 15 % of respondents had trapped and 55 % had hunted (without using traps) red fox (Vulpes vulpes), European badger (Meles meles), or corvid birds. Reducing predator numbers was an important reason for hunting predators with traps. Of predator trappers, 97 % had hunted species that were potentially prey of the targeted predators (e.g., roe deer [Capreolus capreolus], hare [Lepus spp.], and grouse), 94 % believed that there were too many red foxes, badgers, or corvids on their main hunting ground, and 64 % believed it to be very important to reduce predator numbers to benefit other game species. We conclude that the use of traps is widespread among Swedish hunters, and that increasing wildlife populations, increased presence of wildlife in urban areas, and management of invasive species calls for effective management actions, of which trapping can be one.

Corvids in Urban Environments: A Systematic Global Literature Review

“…Human-corvid conflicts emerge because of the corvids’ garbage scattering, fouling infrastructures, roosting in high numbers on roofs and in parks, unpleasant vocalization, attacks on pets and humans during chick-rearing, use of sensitive infrastructure for nesting and predation on birds and other animal species dear to humans. These conflicts have initiated a large number of studies discussing the management of these birds in urban areas [ 164 , 165 , 166 , 167 , 168 ]. Many studies focused on the House Crow, a highly invasive corvid originally from Southeast Asia (mainly Pakistan and India) that has recently colonized and been thriving in cities of the sub-Saharan region and in the Middle East, and on the Pied Crow ( Corvus albus ) in Brazil.…”

“…The wide range of these birds and their high flexibility makes them targets to persecution by shooting [ 26 , 125 , 162 , 163 , 164 ]. Other examples of management include the destruction of Chihuahuan ( Corvus cryptoleucus ) and Common Ravens nests on electric poles [ 156 , 169 , 170 ], scaring away winter roosts of American Crows in U.S. cities [ 124 , 165 ] and trapping and removal of Hooded Crow and Carrion Crow individuals in cities in Europe [ 166 , 167 , 170 ]. However, the current population status of these species indicates that the success of these management efforts so far is limited.…”