Impact Energy Thresholds for Anesthetized Raccoons, Mink, Muskrats, and Beavers

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Abstract
Impact energy values required to cause death of anesthetized furbearers by blows delivered to the neck or chest region were determined as an aid to the development of humane traps. Threshold values for neck blows were 575 cm kg for raccoons (Procyon lotor), 430 cm kg for mink (Mustela vison), 58-63 cm kg for muskrats (Ondatra zibethicus) and 805 cm kg for beavers (Castor canadensis). The threshold values for chest blows were 1150, 520, 155 and 780 cm kg for raccoons, mink, muskrats and beavers, respectively. Autopsy indicated severe internal damage occurred in all species well below threshold levels. EEG and ECG were taken. ECG were not good indicators of terminal damage for beavers and muskrats, because the heart continued to beat beyond 10 min for most animals that could be considered clinically dead. Pelt damage occurred in muskrats at energy levels only 30% above threshold.

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