Use of Clap Traps in Capturing Nonmigratory Whooping Cranes in Florida

Authors

Jeannette M. Parker, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
Martin J. Folk, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
Stephen B. Baynes, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
Kristen L. Candelora, University of Florida

Date of this Version

2008

Document Type

Article

Citation

Parker, J.M., M.J. Folk, S.B. Baynes, and K.L. Candelora. Use of clap traps in capturing nonmigratory whooping cranes in Florida. In: Folk, MJ and SA Nesbitt, eds. 2008. Proceedings of the Tenth North American Crane Workshop, Feb. 7-10, 2006, Zacatecas City, Zacatecas, Mexico: North American Crane Working Group. pp. 141-145.

Comments

Reproduced by permission of the North American Crane Working Group.

Abstract

Between March 2001 and April 2005 we captured 28 nonmigratory Florida whooping cranes (Grus americana) with clap traps. Out of the 6 different capture methods we employed, the clap trap accounted for 42% of our birds captured. Its ability to safely capture one crane or multiple cranes simultaneously, flexibility in size and placement, and low cost make it an important tool to facilitate transmitter replacements and health checks among the experimental Florida whooping crane population.