Incidente durante captura conjunta de macacos-prego, Sapajus nigritus (Platyrrhini: Cebidae), em armadilha: um relato de caso

Abstract

Primate studies often require capture using traps or tranquilizer darts. However, even using the appropriate methodology, injuries can occur due to stress. Our objective was to report the occurrence of aggression during the joint capture of two black-horned capuchin monkeys (Sapajus nigritus) in a trap, resulting in the death of one of the individuals. The primates were captured in a Tomahawk trap at Poço das Antas Biological Reserve, Silva Jardim, RJ, Brazil. The incident was recorded using a camera trap. Reviewing the trap, the double capture was noticed and, one individual was observed to be lying face down on the ground. In the laboratory, the death of this primate was verified. On clinical examination, skin injuries were seen and morphometric measures were taken. The dead individual was an adult female and the other, a subadult male. The video revealed the male’s aggression toward the female, who tried to escape by hitting her head against the trap. The rest of the primate group remained around the trap for an hour. The camera thermometer recorded a maximum temperature of 41 °C. At necropsy, the following injuries were detected: perforating wounds in the upper limbs, subcutaneous hematoma in the pectoral and facial regions, and submeningeal hemorrhage. Acute traumatic encephalopathy was the cause of death. The activities of our research group are based on the capture of capuchin monkey individuals for the collection of biological samples and genetic analysis, this being the first case of death after 40 captures. Factors such as high temperature and the time spent in the trap probably increased stress. This case emphasizes the need for frequent monitoring of the trap to minimize the occurrence of injuries to captured animals, which can be fatal in joint captures