Hello, My name is Justin Cumming, I am an Industrial Design Student at the Cleveland Institute of Art. I am looking for insight on my senior thesis project. It is focused on the design and development of a new Live-Trap for medium sized animals (Skunks, Raccoons, Feral cats, exc.)
Project Background: This project to assess and redesign the cage-style live trapping device for medium size vertebrate animals. The trap will be for commercial and civilian use with the focus being on wildlife management and research applications. (including feral cat management and TNR programs). I am benchmarking the Tomahawk and Havahart traps as general baseline for the research phase due to there popularity amongst professionals. Some of the goals for the redesign will include: + User (trapper & civilian) interaction and operation of the trap (transport>setup>retrieval>maintenance). + Improve post capture treatment of animals. Transportation, transfer from cage, treatment (vaccination, exc) well in cage. + Methods of containment to ensure a humane capture with minimal harm inflicted upon the animal. + Exploration of new materials that would improve manufacture, function, reduce weight, lower cost, help with containment. + Establish a basic understanding of animal behavior and conditioning with the intention of applying it to the improved design. Questions are as follows: (questions are directed toward individuals who have used such devices but please give any relevant notes from experience.) How many traps do you set and monitor well working? How often do you check them and what would be the longest time you would let one sit unattended? How do you transport, store, maintain the traps? How long do the traps last, did they ever break or malfunction? Once an animal is captured how do you transport the animal (in trap, transfer to alternate cage)? With your experience what do you find most difficult about the trapping process? Of the cages you have used what features do you like and dislike, do you have brand a preference? If there was one thing that would make your job easier what would it be? Any comments on project goals, ideas, exc. would be great. Please foreword this email to any individuals who would be willing to offer insight and answer some of my questions. Thank you for your time. Feel free to contact me via email or telephone My phone number is 978.766.8092 Email: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sincerely, Justin Cumming P.S. If you are familiar with any other organizations or research in area of design and development of new trapping systems I would greatly appreciate their contact info for further research.
