Traps, trapping systems and methods

Abstract

An animal trap includes: a bait, a support, and an elastic band, wherein in a set state the support supports the elastic band in an expanded state, and wherein removal, consumption or destruction of the bait by an animal: causes the elastic band to contract around the animal to kill the animal; or causes the elastic band to drive a kill mechanism to kill the animal. Animal traps may be formed substantially or entirely of biodegradable materials. Animal traps may be adapted for aerial distribution. A trap dispenser may dispense traps as they are triggered.

1 . A trap including:
 a bait,   a support, and   an elastic band,   wherein in a set state the support supports the elastic band in an expanded state, and   wherein removal, consumption or destruction of the bait by an animal:   causes the elastic band to contract around the animal to kill the animal; or   causes the elastic band to drive a kill mechanism to kill the animal.   
     
     
         2 . The trap of  claim 1  wherein removal, consumption or destruction of the bait by an animal allows the support to collapse, releasing the elastic from the expanded state. 
     
     
         3 . The trap of  claim 2  wherein, in a set state, the bait resists compression to maintain the support in a supporting position in which it supports the elastic band in the expanded state. 
     
     
         4 . The trap of  claim 2  wherein, in a set state, the bait resists expansion to maintain the support in a supporting position in which it supports the elastic band in the expanded state. 
     
     
         5 . The trap of  claim 2  wherein the support includes one or more pivoted arms secured at one end of each arm by the bait to maintain the support in a supporting position in which it supports the elastic band in the expanded state. 
     
     
         6 . The trap of  claim 1  wherein removal, consumption or destruction of the bait by an animal urges the elastic band from the support. 
     
     
         7 . The trap of  claim 6  wherein the support includes a biasing element compressed or extended by the bait in a set state and wherein removal, consumption or destruction of the bait allows the biasing element to relax from the compressed or extended state, urging the elastic band from the support. 
     
     
         8 . The trap of  claim 1  wherein the trap includes a kill mechanism having two or more sections that are open in a set state and driven by the elastic ring to close when the trap is triggered by removal, consumption or destruction of the bait. 
     
     
         9 . The trap of  claim 1  wherein the bait is positioned within a housing. 
     
     
         10 . The trap of  claim 1  wherein the bait is supported at such a distance from the elastic band that the elastic band contracts around the animal to kill the animal when the trap is triggered by removal, consumption or destruction of the bait. 
     
     
         11 . The trap of  claim 1  wherein the trap is formed substantially or entirely of biodegradable materials. 
     
     
         12 . The trap of  claim 1  wherein the trap includes one or more drag-inducing features to assist aerial distribution and/or orientation. 
     
     
         13 . A trapping system including:
 a. a trap dispenser;   b. a plurality of traps, each trap including a bait, a support, and an elastic band, wherein in a set state the support supports the elastic band in an expanded state, and wherein removal, consumption or destruction of the bait by an animal causes the elastic band to contract around the animal to kill the animal or causes the elastic band to drive a kill mechanism to kill the animal;   the dispenser and traps being arranged such that, when a trap in the trapping position is actuated by an animal it is released from the dispenser and a further one of the traps is dispensed to the trapping position.   
     
     
         14 . A trapping system as claimed in  claim 13  wherein each trap includes an attractant. 
     
     
         15 . A trapping system as claimed in  claim 13  wherein the dispenser includes a retention arrangement configured to retain a set trap in the trapping position and to release an actuated trap from the trapping position. 
     
     
         16 . A trapping system as claimed in  claim 15  wherein the release of the actuated trap is caused or assisted by a force applied to the actuated trap by a trapped animal. 
     
     
         17 . A trapping system as claimed in  claim 15  wherein each trap is configured to release itself from the retention arrangement when actuated. 
     
     
         18 . A trap as claimed in  claim 11  wherein the elastic band is made from biodegradable natural rubber. 
     
     
         19 . A trap as claimed in  claim 11  wherein at least part of the trap is formed from a biodegradable mouldable polymer material. 
     
     
         20 . A trap as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the trap is configured to be deployed in the set state to ground level from an aircraft in flight and remain in the set state under shock loads imposed by landing at ground level.