Ulf Tubessing, [14 Jan 2023 at 21:40:59]: I have a client where an aardvark made its burrow in a dam wall. He thinks it has youngsters at foot and wants them moved so that he can fix his dam wall. The plan is to try catch it in a cage trap. The farm where it would be released is keen to put a transmitter on. The following questions arise: 1) how best to catch/immobilise? 2) best transmitter placement - ear tag on those ears seems wrong? 3) if cubs/pups/piglets at foot, how to catch those 4) how to release and keep mother and progeny together to make this a successful translocation? I feel a "pre-release camp" with existing burrow and mesh on ground to prevent mom from buggering off and leaving is the best way. Experience of aardvark guys and girls much appreciated. Have a great evening! Ulf Leith Meyer, [14 Jan 2023 at 23:08:15]: Ulf, you should find some useful insights from this paper: https://repository.up.ac.za/handle/2263/43697 We didn’t have any success with cage trapping in the Kalahari, but others have at other places. Tracking transmitters, placed other than in the abdomen, result in complications, and their ears are crucial to their survival so I wouldn’t use ear tag devices either. These animals are very cunning and challenging to work with. Good luck, you will need it. Pierre Nel, [16 Jan 2023 at 08:28:10]: We placed abdominal transmitters from Africa Wildlife Tracking, which worked well. We made a zinc funnel so there was only one way out of the burrow and that’s into the cage. You can use a contact switch with a battery to switch on a light to alert you when she’s in the cage. I think they should be immobilised quickly to prevent them injuring themselves in the crate Leith Meyer, [16 Jan 2023 at 08:36:18]: Hi Pierre, we did the same, it also worked well and I think it is probably the method of choice. You should also share your paper with Ulf, it also contains great insights. Henry Labuschagne, [16 Jan 2023 at 13:04:37]: Have a look at this: Capture and immobilisation of aardvark (Orycteropus afer) using different drug combinations: research communication | Journal of the South African Veterinary Association Nine aardvarks (Orycteropus afer) were captured in the southern Free State, South Africa, for the placement of abdominal radio transmitters. Five combinations of ketamine hydrochloride with xylazine hydrochloride, midazolam or medetomidine hydrochloride ... https://journals.co.za/doi/abs/10.10520/EJC99317 Diethardt Rodenwoldt, [16 Jan 2023 at 20:15:28]: Hi Ulf, When we started to tag the animals, the initial idea came from a Kalahari farmer, and we modified the system. It worked every time, BUT you have to be very quick, otherwise the animal will even go through diamond mesh wire. Tags were placed onto the ears - the site position is important, but we never had a problem with it. Normal release was about 1 hr after immobilisation – the animals were totally stable and balanced. 6 immobilisations were performed, with no fatalities. We walked and followed them regularly as part of a monitoring exercise. At the end, we removed the tags, which was a more challenging catch, as they knew what was happening, A multi-borrow complex is challenging in terms of trying to catch the animals. Ulf Tubessing, [17 Jan 2023 at 07:28:44]: Thanks everyone, great insights and advise. I love this group!
