Effects of a highway and mitigation projects on bobcats in Southern Texas
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Published source details
Cain A.T., Tuovila V.R., Hewitt D.G. & Tewes M.E. (2003) Effects of a highway and mitigation projects on bobcats in Southern Texas. Biological Conservation, 114, 189-197.
Published source details Cain A.T., Tuovila V.R., Hewitt D.G. & Tewes M.E. (2003) Effects of a highway and mitigation projects on bobcats in Southern Texas. Biological Conservation, 114, 189-197.
Actions
This study is summarised as evidence for the following.
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Modify culverts to make them more accessible to mammals Action Link |
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Install fences around existing culverts or underpasses under roads/railways Action Link |
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Modify culverts to make them more accessible to mammals
A replicated, site comparison study in 1997–1999 in dry shrubland along a highway in Texas, USA (Cain et al. 2003) found that modified culverts were used more by bobcats Lynx rufus than were unmodified culverts. Use of crossings by cat spp. was higher at modified culverts (2.6 visits/month) than at unmodified culverts (0.5 visits/month). The rate of crossings at bridges (2.2 visits/month) was similar to that at modified culverts. Most cats recorded were bobcats, which accounted for 371 of 471 camera-trap images obtained at culvert entrances. Remaining images were of feral cats Felis catus. Five modified culverts, nine unmodified culverts and four bridges were monitored. Modified culverts had elevated central catwalks (to facilitate a dry crossing even when water was flowing through), open-air sections at the road centre (but fenced, to prevent escape at this part) and enlarged entrances. Crossings were checked two times/week from 1 July 1997 to 31 May 1999 for tracks. Remote cameras were used at seven crossings at a time, from 1 August 1997 to 31 May 1999, and were rotated among all crossings.
(Summarised by: Alison Huyett & Kayla Seltzer )
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Install fences around existing culverts or underpasses under roads/railways
A replicated, randomized, controlled, before-and-after study in 1997–1999 in dry shrubland along a highway in Texas, USA (Cain et al. 2003) found that installing fences to funnel animals to existing culvert entrances did not increase culvert use by bobcats Lynx rufus. Fences did not significantly increase cat spp. use of culverts (data not presented). However, among four culverts most used by bobcats, two fenced culverts saw a rise in use after fence installation (after 7.2; before: 3.9 track sets/month) while two unfenced culverts saw a fall over this same time (after: 2.2; before: 2.9 track sets/month). Most cats (371 of 471 camera-trap images) were bobcats. The remainder were feral cats Felis catus. At six culverts, randomly selected from 12, wire net fences (1.6 m high) were erected at entrances, extending 100 m to each side, parallel to the road. Culverts were checked two times/week from 1 July 1997 to 31 May 1999 for cat spp. tracks. Remote cameras were used at culverts from 1 August 1997 to 31 May 1999. Fences were erected after the first year of monitoring.
(Summarised by: Alison Huyett & Kayla Seltzer )
