Proceedings of the Vertebrate Pest Conference

Wildlife control operators have observed that animals caught in plastic-walled traps during summer conditions were showing signs of heat stress. To verify the plausibility of these anecdotes, three temperature and humidity sensors were used to monitor local environmental conditions as well as those inside a covered cage trap and a plastic-walled trap. The study lasted for more than 365 days. Average temperature/humidity for ambient air was 10.8°C/72%; for covered cage traps it was 12.0°C/79%; and for plastic-walled traps it was 12.75°C/78.4%. Results are consistent with anecdotal observations that animals caught in plastic traps would experience higher temperatures. This information can be used to improve animal welfare during cage and box trapping activities.