AU740648B2 - Animal lure - Google Patents

Description

WO 99/46983 PCT/AU99/00186 -1- Animal Lure The present invention relates to an animal lure and in particular to a method for trapping animals.

Introduced predators are widely acknowledged as having caused the extinction of a number of native species within Australia. Predation by introduced predators continues to threaten the survival of many endangered native animal species today.

An efficient trapping technique provides a control measure in small-scale areas and also provides a research tool to study an introduced species and develop further strategies for their broad scale control.

Many different trapping methods have been proposed for capturing introduced animals. The simplest of these is a wire cage containing food. As the animal enters the trap a door closes trapping the animal. Other more elaborate trapping systems have been developed. In nearly all instances however, animals quickly learn about the dangers associated with such traps and avoid them. Moreover, many animals will not take bait if they are not hungry. Thus, there is a need for a lure which is capable of enticing animals into a trap, which system alleviates the above mentioned problems.

The present invention seeks to provide such a lure as well as a, system for use in trapping animals.

Throughout this specification, unless the context requires otherwise, the word "comprise", or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising" will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or group of integers, but not the exclusion of any other integer or group of integers including method steps.

Disclosure of the invention The present invention consists in a method for attracting an animal comprising the step of: placing a sound emitting device that produces at least a sound wave that mimics sound patterns produced by an animal that is to be attracted in close WO 99/46983 PCT/AU99/00186 -2proximity to a scent attractant containing a scent that is capable of attracting the animal.

The sound emitting device-and the scent attractant may be provided as a single unit or as separate units placed in close proximity with each other. When provided as separate units the distance between the sound emitting device and the scent attractant should be sufficient to suggest to the animal that the sound and scent are derived from a single source.

When provided as a single unit space should be provided in the sound emitting device for holding the scent. For example the sound emitting device may have a container attached to it which is capable of holding the scent.

Thus, the present invention also consists in an animal lure comprising: a sound emitting device that produces at least a sound wave that mimics sound patterns produced by the animal that is to be attracted; and a scent attractant containing a scent that is capable of attracting the animal.

The sound emitting device and the scent attractant may be provided in the form of a single unit or as separate units. When provided as a single unit space should be provided for holding the scent. For example the sound emitting device may have a container attached to it which is capable of holding the scent.

Any sound emitting device that has been developed to emit a sound wave that is capable of attracting an animal may be used in the present invention. In this respect, the sound patterns emitted from the device will vary depending on the species of animal that is being trapped. Preferably the emitted sound is characteristic of that species to be attracted or is the sound of prey species such as birds or rabbits in the case of cats, for example.

The sound emitting device may be formed either as a self-contained device or as a device dependant on an external power source. Preferably the sound emitting device is self-contained (ie, it has an internal power supply). The device may contain any components needed to generate a sound wave. Preferably -the device will contain at least a sound generator and a speaker. A person of WO 99/46983 PCT/AU99/00186 -3ordinary skill in the field will appreciate that many other components may be added to the device to assist in sound generation. By way of example only, the device might also contain a tape recorder, amplifiers or other sound synthesisers.

In a highly preferred form of the invention, the sound emitting device comprises an internal power source connected to a sound Rohm connected to a speaker.

Sounds generated by the sound emitting device may be wholly in the ultrasonic range of frequencies, or more preferably in a frequency range recognised by the animal to be attracted. The sounds may be transmitted continuously or may be transmitted in pulses, and may be frequency modulated. Preferably, the emitted sounds are replayed in transmitted pulses, so that frequent attention to the sound emitting device is not required. More preferably the device is adapted in a manner which allows an operator to change between either continuous or intermittent sound. In a highly preferred form of the invention the timed pulses of sound are spaced about 5 to 50 seconds apart. For example, the pulses might be 10 to 15 seconds apart.

In one form of the invention, the sound emitting device may produce a range of sounds depending on the type of animal being attracted. For example, the device might be capable of producing a range of cat sounds or alternatively it might be capable of producing a specific cat sound and sounds that attract one or more other animals. Preferable, the device is provided with a control system for changing between the different sounds.

The speakers used in the sound emitting device may be either included within the device or they may be detachable therefrom. If the speakers are detachable they should be provided in a durable housing to prevent damage.

Although the sound emitting device may be constructed to generate the sound for a particular animal, it should be appreciated that the sound Rohm may be substitutable with other Rohms that are capable of generating other animal sounds. Thus, in a preferred form of the invention the sound Rohm used in the invention should be capable of being replaced. In an alternative form of the invention, the device may contain a plurality of sound Rohms linked to a control means for changing and/or altering the sound generated.

WO 99/46983 PCT/AU99/00186 -4- To prevent damage to the sound-emitting device it may be housed in a sturdy cover that is capable of withstanding physical aggression caused by a trapped animal. When a sound Rohm is used in the sound emitting device the Rohm and the other electrical components required to operate the system are preferably also covered by a fastening means (in addition to the housing means) which protects the electrical components from moving and moinsture. By way of example, the Rohm and its associated electrical components may be covered in an epoxy resin to protect the components.

In addition to a sound-emitting device the animal lure also includes a scent attractant. The scent used should be sufficiently attractive to draw an animal towards the lure. Any scent capable of achieving this end may be used. By way of example only, if the lure were used to attract feral cats, the scent mixture may include urine or faeces or a blended mixture of both of these wastes. Preferably where a blended mixture of urine and faeces is used the mixture is in a one to one ratio. In an alternative form of the invention the scent might be in the form of a chemical or a chemical composition which has been shown to attract a particular animal.

In one embodiment the invention provides a trap which animals are compelled to enter, said trap comprising: a detaining mean for holding an animal; a sound emitting device that produces at least a sound wave that mimics sound patterns produced by the animal that is to be attracted; and a scent attractant containing a scent that is capable of attracting the animal to the detaining means.

The sound emitting means and the scent attractant may be combined with the detaining means to form a single unit. Alternatively, one or both of the sound emitting means and the scent attractant may be used separate to, the detaining means to form the trapping system. In circumstances where the sound emitting means and/or the scent attractant are dissociated from the detaining means, each should be employed in conjunction with the detaining means in such a manner that prevents the animal to be trapped from investigating either the sound emitting means or the scent attractant until it has entered the trap. Preferably, the sound WO 99/46983 PCT/AU99/00186 emitting means is located within the trap set while the scent attractant is used to lure the animal into the detaining mean.

The detaining means used in the method of the present invention may consist of any system that is capable of detaining animals. Examples of suitable traps include wire cage traps, and leg hold traps and the Victor Soft-Catch trap.

To maximise capture of the attracted animal both the sound emitting device and the scent attractant should be located in association with the detaining means in such a manner that prevents the animal from discovering the source of the sound or smell until it is within the detaining means. How the sound emitting device and the scent attractant are positioned will depend on the type of detaining means used. If for examine the detaining means is a wire trap the scent and the sound generator might be camouflaged in the centre of the detaining means.

Alternatively the detaining means might have enclosed sides so that the only entry into the means is via a trap door. In such circumstances the sound emitting device and the scent attractant might be located at the rear of the detaining means. Alternatively the detaining means might contain a blind channel so that the animal must walk through the trap to get to the sound emitting device and the scent attractant.

BEST MODE(S) FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION In the drawings: Figure 1 provides a cross sectional view of a sound emitting device Figure 2 provides a diagrammatic illustration of a trap system.

Features of the present invention are more fully described in the following examples. It is to be understood that the following examples are included solely for the purposes of exemplifying the invention, and should not be understood in any way as a restriction on the broad description as set out above.

EXAMPLE 1 The following describes a lure that might be used to attract feral cats. Provided in combination are a sound emitting device and a scent lure.

WO 99/46983 PCT/AU99/00186 -6- Figure 1 provides a schematic representation of the sound emitting device comprising a sound Rohm 12 connected to 3 button cells 1.5V'C' cell batteries 14 and a single resoldering speaker 16. While the presently illustrated device only contains a single speaker, it should be appreciated that more that one speaker may be included in the device.

For convenience and use in the field, the Rohm also has a switch 18 fitted thereto which is in electrical communication with the sound Rohm which opens or closes a circuit thereby activating or deactivating sound transmission.

The speaker 16 is in electrical communication with the sound Rohm and should be capable of transmitting sound generated by the Rohm. Such sounds might, for example, be characteristic of the young of the species. In the present illustrations the speaker is located at one end of the sound emitting device and is provided with a protective cover 24 over the speaker that is capable of preventing moisture from entering the device. The protective cover should not however interfere with the emitted sounds (ie the generated sound must be audible to any animal of the species to be attracted by the device).

To prevent damage to the electrical components during use of the device, the sound Rohm is covered in a protective coating 22 such as with an epoxy resin to protect the components as field work has shown that the Rohms can be subjected to fairly turbulent conditions.

Combined with the sound emitting device either by way of a coating over the device or in a container attached thereto or as a separate component which is in close proximity with the device is a scent lure. The scent mixture includes urine.

faeces from feral cats blended together in a one to one ratio.

WO 99/46983 PCT/AU99/00186 -7- EXAMPLE 2 Although the following disclosure is provided in the context of trapping feral cats, the information provided herein may be used to lure and trap any animal. The only variation that would need to be made to the trapping system is a substitution of the sound Rohm in the sound emitting device and the scent attractant.

Figure 2 illustrates a trapping system having a channel 32, at least a detaining means 34 in the form of a Victor Soft-catch (No. 3) trap, a fastening means for the traps 35, a sound emitting device 36 and a scent attractant 38. In preparing the trap site the channel is formed to create a one way (blind) trap set. This may be achieved by clearing a channel into a bush where the trapping system is used in the bush or alternatively the a channel may be formed using cardboard boxes or any other suitable material located in the vicinity of where the trap will be located.

In the channel 32 there is provided at least one detaining means 34. In figure 2 the detaining means is located at the entrance to the channel. It will be appreciated however that the detaining means might well be located anywhere along the channel.

The social scent attractant used in the trapping system consists of a blended 1:1 mixture of cat faeces and urine to attract cats into the trap set. The scent attractant is placed towards the rear of each of the traps to lure them into the traps, without allowing them to actually reaching the scent attractant.

It should be understood that the description of the invention including the principles, preferred embodiments and Example cited above are illustrative of the invention and should not be regarded as being restrictive on its scope. Variations and modifications may be made to the invention by others without departing from the spirit of that which is described as the invention and it is expressly intended that all such variations and changes which fall within this ambit are embraced thereby is intended merely to be illustrative thereof.

Claims (10)

1. A feline animal trap comprising: a detainment means for holding said feline animal; a sound emitting device that produces at least a sound wave that mimics sound patterns produced by the feline animal or which the feline animal might be attracted to; a scent attractant containing a scent that is capable of attracting the animal to the detainment means; and wherein the sound emitting means and the scent attractant are spatially positioned in such a manner that the feline animal cannot view either the sound emitting device or the scent attractant before entering the detainment means. *ol*

2. A feline animal trap according to claim 1 wherein the sound emitting device 15 "and the scent attractant are provided as a single unit. 4

3. A feline animal trap according to claim 1 wherein the sound emitting device emits a sound wave that mimics the sound of at least a kitten or any other sound used in feline communication.

4. A feline animal trap according to claim 1 wherein the sound emitting device emits a sound wave that mimics the sound of prey of the feline animal. l 20

5. A feline animal trap according to claim 1 wherein the sound emitting device emits a sound wave that is either continuously, pulsed, or frequency modulated.

6. A feline animal trap according to claim 1 wherein the sound emitting device is housed in a sturdy cover that is capable of withstanding physical aggression caused by at least a trapped feline animal.

7. A feline animal trap according to claim 1 the scent attractant is urine or faeces or a blended mixture of both of these wastes. C -9-

8. A method for trapping feral cats, said method comprising the step of: placing a trap according to anyone of the preceding claims in a location frequented by feral cats, wherein said trap is positioned in such a manner that the feral cat has to enter the trap before being able to identify the source of the scent attractant and or the sound emitting means.

9. A trap according to claim 1 substantially as herein before described with reference to the examples.

10. A method according to claim 8 substantially as herein before described with reference to the examples. C S C 0 S.o.. J