Guidelines for Wildlife Research
issued by the Wildlife Research Center of Kyoto University

Second Edition
March 1, 2022
Wildlife Research Center of Kyoto University

This guideline is made in Japanese and translated into English. The Japanese text is the original and the English text is for reference purposes. If there is any conflict or inconsistency between these two texts, the Japanese text shall prevail.

Contents I. Introduction
II. Selection of Research Subjects and Consideration of the General Situation

1. Effects of observation
2. Impact on habitat

III. Compliance with the law and social responsibility

1. National laws
2. International Law
3. Capture of pest animals and birds

IV. Capture

1. Capture
2. Holding and transportation of captured animals
3. Collection of materials from live animals
4. attachment of markers and equipment
5. Experimental manipulations involving capture
6. release of captured animals
7. Acquisition of specimens
8. Health considerations
9. Medication for wild animals (excluding anesthetics)

V. Public Awareness Public Awareness and Publicity
VI. Self-management methods
VII. References
VIII. Notices and Requests

I. Introduction

Although field research is generally considered to have little impact on the animal populations and habitats under study, it may cause some alteration or destruction. In addition, the introduction of capture or experimental manipulation, even temporarily, may cause suffering to individual animals. The purpose of these guidelines is to help researchers minimize animal suffering and destruction of nature that field research on wildlife may cause. In other words, it emphasizes the importance of treating individual animal research subjects with care and respect, as well as emphasizing the need for appropriate conservation of the species or populations under study. These guidelines are also intended to serve as a manual for researchers to follow when studying wildlife in the field.

The wildlife referred to in these guidelines are free-ranging animals, including provisioned populations. Research involving captive animals in closed environments such as open enclosures, zoos, and aquariums should follow the "Guidelines for Ethical Considerations in Animal Research issued by Wildlife Research Center of Kyoto University”. Because of the broad scope of what is meant by wildlife, appropriate considerations for animals should vary according to taxonomic group, habitat, body size, and other factors. For this reason, researchers should give due consideration not only to these guidelines, but also to the conventions and research guidelines of the research community for each subject animal, and treat each species accordingly.

II. Selection of Research Subjects and Consideration of the General Situation

Even if some pain and suffering to the research subject or alteration of the environment are unavoidable in the conduct of the research, the researcher should make every effort to use the results of the research and the knowledge gained in the course of the research for the maintenance and conservation of the target population or species and the conservation of the environment. Therefore, it is desirable to broaden one's perspective and deal not only with the wildlife under study but also with the environment in general.

Many of the world's wildlife species are already in a situation where their survival is difficult or they will become extinct if left unchecked. In particular, when conducting research on such endangered species, one should first consider whether or not it is appropriate to target such wild populations when planning the research. Research that is not required to involve wild populations and that will have a significant impact on the research subjects should be conducted on captive bred individuals (or populations) if possible. The latter is under stricter management control and may lead to more accurate results. In addition, care should be taken to keep the infliction of pain or significant alteration on the animals under study to the minimum necessary to carry out the research.

Even in non-invasive research such as behavioral observation, efforts should be made to prevent disease transmission from the observer to the target individual and to avoid excessive interference with behavior, while taking into consideration the characteristics of the study species. In addition, for research in which some kind of human intervention is used to observe behavior, such as feeding or playback experiments, the degree of impact on the body and behavior of the target population or individuals should be carefully predicted, and the research should be judged to be acceptable or unacceptable according to the degree of necessity of the intervention and socially accepted norms. In addition, the frequency and number of subjects should be kept to a minimum.

1. Effects of observation

Observation on land should be conducted quietly and at a distance so as not to disturb the natural behavior of the population or individuals. When walking in areas with high population densities, such as breeding sites, minimize movement. When using installed observation equipment (video, etc.), make sure that it is of a size and shape that will not affect the animals.

In observations at sea, when following animals using a boat, it should be done from a certain distance so as not to disturb the population or the natural behavior of the individuals. In addition, care should be taken not to cross the direction of movement of individuals.

2. Impact on habitat

Consideration should be given to not disturbing both the target species and its habitat. Marking and setting seed traps for vegetation surveys and clearing plants for setting up survey paths should be done in a way that does not significantly disturb the ecosystem of the survey area. The impact on the habitat by the means of transportation (vehicles, ships, etc.) required for observation must also be fully considered. Artifacts set up for research purposes should be recovered and returned to their original state as much as possible after the research is completed.

III. Compliance with the law and social responsibility

National and international laws must be observed at all stages of the research, including entry into the research site, acquisition of specimens, and observation of behavior.

1. National laws

It is often the case that various research permits must be obtained in order to conduct the research. Such permission must be obtained in advance from the relevant government agencies and, in some cases, from the landowners, for various research activities, including permission to enter the research site (or permission from the Forestry Agency if the site is in a national forest), non-invasive collection of plant and animal samples, and installation of structures in the research site.

In Japan, capture for the purpose of re-release is also considered as Enforcement Order on the Protection and Control of Wildlife and Act on the Optimization of Hunting (or Sea Otters and Fur Seals Hunting Control Act for fur seals and sea otters). The prefectural governor (or the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries for fur seals and sea otters) must grant permission for scientific hunting in advance. Ketamine, which is used as an anesthetic, is designated as a narcotic, and its use must comply with the relevant laws and regulations. Permission for the Care or Keeping of Specified Animals is required if the animals are to be kept for more than 30 days after capture, or if they are to be transferred to other persons or institutions. Since the transfer of illegally captured birds and animals is prohibited, researchers should not neglect to check the original capture permit when keeping transferred animals. In order to capture a natural monument or an animal in a national park area (within a protection zone), a separate permit for changing the status quo from the Agency for Cultural Affairs under the Law for the Protection of Cultural Properties, a special protection permit from the Ministry of the Environment, or the prefectural governor is required. Invasive alien species such as rhesus macaques and raccoons that live in the wild, and their potential hybrid offspring with native Japanese species, may be designated as specified alien species under the Invasive Alien Species Act, in which case the relevant regulations must be followed.

When conducting surveys overseas, it is important to note that the regulations differ from country to country, and the domestic laws of that country must be observed.

2. International Law

The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) has been adopted to regulate international commerce in endangered species. When introducing wild animals (including carcasses and parts of carcasses) listed in Appendix I or II of CITES as research subjects, import permits, etc. must be obtained through formal procedures.

The Convention on Biological Diversity (CDB) stipulates that each country has sovereign rights over its own natural resources. Therefore, access to genetic resources and the fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising (ABS) is required of treaty member countries, including Japan. The Nagoya Protocol has been adopted as a framework for the implementation of ABS, and each country is required to develop domestic laws regarding procedures for accessing biological materials and traditional knowledge about them. The export of biological materials, including extracted DNA, from the country of origin should comply with the legal procedures of that country. The CDB respects traditional knowledge of biodiversity and relevant area. Even in surveys that do not deal with biological samples, such as interviews with humans, the traditional knowledge of indigenous peoples should be respected as intellectual property.

3. Capture of pest animals and birds

When pest wildlife species are captured and provided for use in research, it should be ensured that due consideration has been given to whether the capture is truly effective for damage control, whether it has a significant impact on the conservation of local populations, and whether there are effective alternatives. If these considerations have not been taken into account, capture should not be done, even if it is legal. If wildlife is likely to be released overseas due to undesirable capture and trade, researchers should not be involved in activities that directly or indirectly facilitate the release.

IV. Capture

1. Capture

Even if it is a temporary capture with the premise of re-release, it must first be examined whether the capture is essential for research. If the research can be accomplished without capture, it is desirable to refrain from capture. The following are the precautions to be taken when capture is deemed essential.

Capture traps are usually used for terrestrial mammals. The mechanism should be safe and effective in containing the animal so that the traps do not injure or restrain any part of its body. The structure of the traps is regulated by Enforcement Order on the Protection and Control of Wildlife and Act on the Optimization of Hunting, which must be observed. The traps need to be patrolled frequently. Therefore, the number of traps to be set should be determined based on the number of people and labor available for patrolling and on the local conditions. Once it is confirmed that the animal is in the trap, the next procedure should be started as soon as possible.

Fishing gear is usually used to capture marine mammals at sea. Since marine mammals breathe through their lungs, care must be taken not to drown them.

When using anesthesia dart guns, bows and arrows, and blowguns to anesthetize and capture animals, it is necessary to track them to ensure that the target individuals are not killed and that the effects of the anesthetics are manifested. Accurate knowledge of the drugs and an appropriate support system are essential. In order to use this method of capture, it is necessary to have the guidance and advice of a veterinarian who is familiar with wildlife and has sufficient experience.

2. Holding and transportation of captured animals

After capture, restraint and handling should be done out of sight of other animals to avoid causing unnecessary reactions. Also, efforts should be made to minimize pain, trauma, and stress. Especially in the case of an animal that has just been captured and is experiencing a significant increase in body temperature, respiration, and heart rate due to strenuous exertion and stress, it is advisable to let the animal calm down until its respiration stabilizes before starting the next procedure.

When captive animals are kept for a short period of time or transported to the laboratory, they should be housed in cages with adequate space and proper ventilation. Each captured animal should be housed individually to prevent bites from conspecifics and to ensure adequate access to water and food. Holding animals in burlap and other kinds of material bags should be avoided as much as possible because of the risk of interfering with respiratory activity or biting of other individuals or the researcher. Even when the captured individuals are mothers and their offspring, it may be desirable to house them separately when the mother is anesthetized, since the offspring may be crushed to death by the mother's weight. Cages containing animals should be kept at an appropriate temperature, not exposed to direct sunlight, wind, or rain, and should be observed as often as possible. During prolonged transportation or holding, animals should be provided with sufficient water and food, and properly managed in compliance with the spirit of the "Act on Welfare and Management of Animals”. It is not desirable to keep temporarily captured animals for a long period of time, but if it is unavoidable, consideration should be given to minimize physiological changes such as muscle weakness due to lack of exercise and changes in preference for crops that may lead to crop raiding.

3. Collection of materials from live animals
 

Collection of blood and tissue from live wildlife should be kept to a minimum and should be conducted by trained and proficient investigators. To prevent infection, the collection should be performed in as clean an environment as possible using thoroughly disinfected and sterilized instruments. Anesthesia may be required to minimize localized pain associated with the sample collection. If the pain is minimal or temporary, it is more reasonable to release the individual as soon as possible without the use of anesthetic agents. The decision to anesthetize or not should be made after careful consideration. If general anesthesia has been administered, the animal should be closely monitored until awake and should not be released until he or she has recovered sufficiently from the anesthesia.

4. attachment of markers and equipment
 

Identifying markers are intended to enable re-identification in the field or upon recapture, or to enable tracking by radio waves or sound waves. Depending on the taxonomic group, various types of markers such as ear tags and foot rings are used. In addition, transmitters, GPS, and other electronic devices are attached to wild animals to determine their location, monitor their movements, and measure their activity rhythms. In some cases, microchips are implanted in the body. In attaching markers or devices, the following principles should be followed: cause as little pain as possible, prevent festering and infection, and do not restrict normal activities and life. Particular attention should be paid to the following three points

a. Size and shape of markers and attached devices

The size of markers and attached devices that have been used on animals in the past should be carefully examined, and the weight should be less than or equal to that which is currently considered not to restrict normal activity. Also, use a device with a shape that does not excessively increase a burden on the animal’s movement. It should not be attached in a way that poses a risk of physical injury.

b. Attachment, removal, and recovery

Bacterial contamination due to skin or other body damage should be avoided. The use of anesthesia and surgical procedures should be carefully examined for appropriateness, especially when devices are implanted inside the body. Since prolonged implantation may affect survival and reproduction, an appropriate period of implantation should be set, and the equipment should be removed or eventually dropped off after the study is completed (except for implantable microchips). The risk of the device becoming constricting to the body as it grows should also be considered when attaching it to young individuals.

c. Impact assessment

Wherever possible, the impact of the attachment should be assessed by comparing behavior, reproductive success, etc. between attached and unattached individuals.

5. Experimental manipulations involving capture

Methods with significant human interference may be used, such as capturing wild animals and temporarily restricting their movement (e.g., eliminating a territorial individual) or changing their appearance or internal state (e.g., manipulating body color or hormones). Such manipulations require extreme caution because they can have a significant impact on individuals and populations. In addition, since the degree to which they are acceptable varies depending on the taxonomic group and habitat conditions, due consideration must be given to the conventions and research guidelines of the research community for each target animal.

6. release of captured animals

When releasing animals after the completion of a capture survey, or for the purpose of tracking marked individuals or individuals equipped with electronic monitoring devices etc., efforts should be made to ensure the survival of the released individuals and to avoid affecting the population of the same species in the area where they are released. As a general rule, animals should not be released outside the area where they were captured. Except for surgery, treatment, etc., animals should be released as soon as possible after the procedure is completed. As a general rule, animals that have been kept for a long time should not be released, as their behavior may have already changed.

7. Acquisition of specimens

When collecting samples of the study species, efforts should be made to use non-invasive samples as much as possible from the perspective of conservation and animal welfare. If it is unavoidable to obtain specimens by invasive methods, it must be ensured that the relevant laws and regulations are complied with during collection and transportation, and that appropriate methods are used from the perspective of animal welfare.

8. Health considerations

To date, several zoonotic diseases are known to exist. The investigator should take appropriate precautions against the potential risk of infection. In addition to direct contact with the animal’s body, the same precautions should be taken when handling collected blood, tissue materials, and excrement as when handling the animal itself, by avoiding contact with bare hands. In case of needle puncture or animal bite, immediately wash the wound with water and disinfect it with tincture of iodine. It is advisable to seek medical advice as soon as possible afterwards. In addition, care should be taken to prevent disease transmission from the researcher to the captured animal.

9. Medication for wild animals (excluding anesthetics)

Medication should not be administered to wild animals unless permission is obtained from the government agency or research institution with jurisdiction over the study area, for two reasons: 1) it may have adverse effects on the target animals, and 2) it may have long-term effects on the ecosystem of the habitat. Even in the case of administering medication, detailed discussions should be held with veterinarians in advance and during the implementation period to prepare for unforeseen circumstances.

V. Public Awareness Public Awareness and Publicity

No matter how meaningful the research may be, it is important to be prepared for the fact that it is unlikely to be understood by the general public. In particular, research in the field is often exposed to the public, and we are often forced to take actions that may lead to suspicion. For this reason, it is important to try to provide opportunities to explain the research and activities to the residents near the research site.

For example, in addition to creating a group of people who are familiar with the research, holding lectures at nearby elementary and junior high schools using movies and slides can be a good educational activity. This is an effective way of communicating your research to the entire community, and it can also lead to information about your research subject from unexpected sources. When conducting scientific research, it is necessary to take great care to place a sign with a copy of the capture permit near the area where the capture measures are to be taken. The same care should be taken when carrying out blood collection and measurement in the field.

VI. Self-management methods

For the effective implementation of these guidelines, the following measures will be taken by the members of the Center and collaborators who conduct research through the Collaborative Research Program of the Wildlife Research Center.

When capturing wildlife for research, whether in large or small quantities, submit the plan to the Wildlife Research Center in advance and obtain permission. Specifically, a detailed description of the purpose of the research, the method of capture (type of traps, method of anesthesia, type and weight of identification markers and attached electronic tracking devises), etc. should be included on a separate sheet of paper with a copy of the various applications submitted to the relevant government agency. Also, explain in detail how you will prevent harm to the animals during capture and how to inform the surrounding residents of your activities.

VII. References

  • Animal Care and Use Committee, the American Society of Mammals, 1998. Guidelines for the Capture, Handling, and Care of Mammals as Approved by the American Society of Mammalogists. American Society of Mammalogists. http://www.mammalsociety.org/committees/commanimalcareuse/98acucguidelines.pdf
  • Anonymous, 2018. Guidelines for the treatment of animals in behavioral research and teaching. Animal Behaviour, 135: I-X. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.anbehav.2017.10.001
  • Andrews, R. D., et al. 2019. Best practice guidelines for cetacean tagging. J. Cetacean Res. Manage. 20.1: 27-66. https://doi.org/10.47536/jcrm.v20i1.237
  • Horning, M. et al. 2019. Best practice recommendations for the use of external telemetry devices on pinnipeds. Animal Biotelemetry, 7(1): 1-17. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40317-019-0182-6
  • The Society for Marine Mammalogy, 2009. Guidelines for the treatment of marine mammals in field research. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1748-7692.2008.00279.x
  • Ministry of the Environment, Welfare and management of animals - aiming for symbiosis between people and animals. https://www.env.go.jp/nature/dobutsu/aigo/ (in Japanese)
  • Ministry of the Environment, Measures against alien species in Japan. https://www.env.go.jp/nature/intro/1law/outline.html (in Japanese)
  • Ministry of the Environment, Wildlife protection and management – toward appropriate relationships between people and wild birds and animals. https://www.env.go.jp/nature/choju/index.html (in Japanese)
  • Ministry of the Environment, Wildlife Protection and Hunting Management Law - Laws, Cabinet Orders and Regulations. https://www.env.go.jp/nature/choju/law/law2.html (in Japanese)
  • Ministry of the Environment, Summary of Wildlife Protection and Hunting Management Law. https://www.env.go.jp/nature/choju/law/law1-1.html (in Japanese)
  • Wildlife Research Center, Kyoto University, 2011 (revised 2015). Guideline for Ethical considerations in Animal Research. https://www.wrc.kyoto-u.ac.jp/guidelines/captive.html
  • Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI). About CITES. https://www.meti.go.jp/english/policy/external_economy/CITES/about_cites.html
  • Ikeda K. and Hanai M. 1988. Capture of wild birds and animals and related legal procedures. Mammalian Science 28: 27-38. https://doi.org/10.11238/mammalianscience.28.2_27 (in Japanese)
  • National Institute of Genetics ABS Support Team for Academia, What is ABS? https://idenshigen.jp/top/ (in Japanese)
  • Primatological Society of Japan, 2021. Ethical guidelines for field research on primates. Primate Research, 2021, 37(2): 183-189, https://doi.org/10.2354/psj.37.034 (in Japanese)
  • The Mammalogical Society of Japan, 2009. Guidelines for the Handling of Mammalian Specimens (2009 revised edition). Mammalian Science 49: 303-319. https://doi.org/10.11238/mammalianscience.49.303 (in Japanese)

VIII. Notices and Requests

The Center for Mammalian Research has established the above guidelines in order to promote research on wildlife from the perspective of treating the animals to be studied with care and preserving the natural environment. The guidelines apply to research conducted by the members of this center as well as to research conducted by collaborating researchers as part of the center's joint use research. This guideline is also relevant to the recruitment and adoption of joint research projects, so please read it carefully. This guideline is also a manual for researchers at the Wildlife Research Center (WRC) and those who use the WRC to study wildlife in the field, so we hope it will be used from that perspective as well. In the case of research involving the capture of mammals, it is desirable to refer to the "Guidelines for the Handling of Mammalian Specimens" formulated by the Mammalogical Society of Japan in addition to these guidelines.

Version Enacted
/Revised
Approval Date Notes
1 Enacted March 7, 2011 Enacted on the occasion of the Call for the Collaborative Research Program of Wildlife Research Center in 2011
1 correction February 22, 2017 Minor word corrections
2 Revision March 1, 2022 With the discontinuation of the Guidelines for Research Involving Wild Primates (Primate Research Institute, Kyoto University), some of this content has been reflected. In addition, some of the content has been revised to conform to current mainstream research methods.