Protection of Rare Species
Foothold traps are sometimes used to capture rare or endangered species unharmed so that the animals can be reintroduced into favorable habitats to reestablish healthy populations . However , foothold traps also play an important role in protecting the health and viability of many established or newly reestablished populations of rare and endangered species . Foothold traps are particularly important management tools for protecting rare and endangered species from undesirable levels of predation .
The following is a partial list of endangered or threatened plant , reptile , bird and mammal species in the U . S . that are being protected and managed through the use of foothold traps .
RARE SPECIES UNDER RESTORATION / PROTECTION
TRAPPED SPECIES TO AID RESTORATION
Pink Lady Slipper Pitcher Plant Desert Tortoise Sea Turtle Aleutian Canada Goose Attwater ’ s Prairie Chicken Brown Pelican Mississippi Sandhill Crane Alabama Beach Mouse Colombian White-Tailed Deer San Joaquin Kit Fox Whooping Crane Least Tern Black-Footed Ferret Piping Plover Spiny Soft Shell Turtle
Beaver Beaver Coyote Raccoon Arctic Fox Coyote Coyote Coyote Red Fox Coyote Coyote Coyote , Red Fox Red Fox , Raccoon , Coyote , Oppossum Coyote ( taken for disease monitoring ) Red Fox , Raccoon , Mink , Striped Skunk Raccoon
The target animals trapped during these operations to reduce habitat damage or predation on the rare species are either removed or relocated after capture . The trapping may be carried out by federal , state or provincial wildlife biologists and animal control agents or by private , regulated trappers .
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