Development of Non-Explosive-Based Methods for Mass Capture of Vultures

Cannon- and rocket-projected nets have long been popular methods for mass capture of a variety of bird species. In recent years, obtaining licences to use the explosives required by these methods has become Increasingly difficult. We describe the construction of methods of mass capture that do not need explosives, including a cannon-net powered by compressed air and a walk-in trap, and test these on Old World vultures (Accipitridae, subfamily Aegypiinae). The compressed air cannons were sufficiently fast and powerful to capture birds, and compared well with explosive-based methods. The walk-in trap proved more effective for capturing birds than any cannon-net method, but suffers from a lack of portability and a long construction time.