Comparison of efficiency of box traps and floating rafts as monitors and trap sites for mink (Musela vison) and polecat (Putorius putorius) for population control.

The aim of my thesis was to evaluate two methods of monitoring of the American mink and polecat, monitoring with live traps and by floating rafts. While the first method is commonly used in our country, where the second method is the pilot project here, but it has been used in the UK successfully. Observation was from August to November in 2008 and from April to November in 2009. Observation took place in the area near PP Černíč near Dačice, where were chosen 4 different habitats. All detected tracks of Mustelids found on rafts were from the American mink. It corresponds with captures, where were captured also only minks and no polecat. Occupation of rafts was higher in 2008 than in 2009 because of the eradication of mink in November 2008. In both years the highest occupancy rate in rafts was in September and the lowest in October. There were differences between habitats and number of captured minks and tracks. In compare between rafts and traps, rafts were more successful method