Hello, food

We went out early in the morning to make a round of the traps. While on our way down Transect 8 where two traps were deployed, we noticed leopard cat tracks heading east. We hurried to the first trap. Nothing. We did the usual routine of replenishing the food and water, and hurried on to the next one. Nothing. As we walked to the next trap in Transect 12, we saw more tracks, still heading east. It looks as if the cat just passed by two of our traps.

The cat probably took a look at the live bait in the trap, and said, “Hello, food. Too bad you’re in the trap.” And passing the second one, it must’ve said, “Tsk tsk tsk. Such a waste!”

Lamentation

Blisters on my feet; cane cuts on my face

Long walks under the sweltering heat,

Or the cold Araal rain

Still, no cat

We know they’re there—

We’ve seen the tracks,

And collected the scats

Why can’t we get them to go in the traps???

Live bait

How would you feel if you were left for days in a trap, with only your feeder and waterer to accompany you in the bait compartment? I would be traumatized, I imagine.

We didn’t take the traps, or baits, out in the morning, and I visited them alone this afternoon to replenish their food and water supply. Tom was her usual perky self, but no longer panicky. She also up-ended her feeder, scattering food all over the trap floor. I replenished her food and water, and scolded her a bit for throwing away her food. Geri was better with her food, but I threw it away because it got wet when it rained hard earlier in the afternoon. I also gave her some water. The moment I set down her waterer, Geri started drinking. I apologized for the delay in delivering water to her; I gave her some more.

I walked to where the first trap baited with chick was. I’m beginning to hate the vines that grow between cane rows. I almost always get caught in them, either my neck, or my feet. As I got closer to the trap, the chick started yipping loudly. I told it, “It’s ok, it’s just me.” I quickly got to it, gave it more food and water; it was hungry. I said, “I’m sorry; next time we’ll bring you food earlier.” I moved to the next trap. The chick yipped even louder when I bent down to take the bamboo stakes out to open the bait compartment door. It was scared. I put my hand in, and it kipped under it. When I moved to get the waterer and feeder, it yipped again, and when I put my hand on it, it stopped. I crooned to it. I was sorry to leave it on it’s own. Before I left, I said, “Get me a cat, will you?” I went on to check the last one. It didn’t have any more food, or water, so I gave it some. It was thirsty. I gave it some more water.

It was almost 6 PM by the time I finished my round of the traps. I was exhausted. I realized I moved more quickly when Jeric’s not around. I also realized that my memory served me well, at least in finding the traps. They were all set deep within a cane field, and only a braid of cane leaves mark the entrance to the row where the traps were set.

I walked slowly on my way home. I love these walks. They induce me to think. I thought, there must be some improvement we can do on the traps. Camouflage the floor more, perhaps.

Yet again…

Instead of baiting the hair snares this morning, we set out with the carpenters who will be working on our observation posts to gather the bamboo. I enjoyed the ride on the tractor, although I probably have numerous cuts from the cane, again. We also saw some edible mushrooms on the way, and although Jeric was first to get to them, I asked him to give them to carpenters. The real Platform Day will be tomorrow!

Our third attempt, yes. With the help of the village hunter, we set up two traps. Walking through the Transect 13, manong Ronnie would peer inside the cane from time to time. I guess he’s trying to think like a cat; something I’ve failed to do several times already. He stopped. We went in. This time, we went further inside parcel 5. Tom was unwilling to go inside the bait compartment. Quite understandable. The set up was basically the same; nong Ronnie didn’t put soil to camouflage the trap floor though. From parcel 5, we went further in. We’re going to parcel 13 THROUGH the cane. I braced myself. Off to #13 we go, winding through the cane, wincing every time a blade catches some bare skin. He stopped, and again, he bent down and leveled the soil. This is where we’re setting the second one up. Same procedure. We tried the treadle-and-door mechanism several times, and like Tom’s trap, Jerry’s was working well. We stood up, and I braced myself again for more cane. We went straight home.

And another one…

We set out earlier today. With three traps out, in two different areas, we had to hurry up. It was still dark when we went out at 4:45 AM. We scoured between the cane rows with our light. We didn't mark where we set up the traps for fear of losing them. We found one. The door was triggered, but there was nothing in the trap. We hurried to the second one. Trapdoor was still up. Nothing. We walked to the next one, which was on the other side of the parcel we're currently in. It was the last one. Still nothing. We took the trap with us; I was to hide it in a safe place. The morning is starting to creep in. We have to hurry; we've already seen workers moving towards the direction of the hacienda. We cannot risk being seen by more people. I decided to hide the trap in a cane parcel next to the road. I covered it with dried cane leaves, and was about to follow Jeric to retrieve the 2 other traps when I saw man walking towards me. I stopped and greeted him good morning. I let him walk in front of me. He was going towards the same direction I was going, and where Jeric was still busy with retrieving the 2 traps. I hope he doesn't see Jeric popping out of the cane field with a trap in hand. He didn't. But another worker, on a carabao, did.

I observed him as he was walking towards me. He was checking out the areas between the cane rows. A bad feeling was creeping at me. I got the other trap from Jeric, and hurried to the one I hid. If he went searching that other field, he will chance upon it. I tried walking even faster. I was relieved to see he was going in a different direction. I got the first trap, and sat on a rock, the two traps in front of me. One has Tom in it, while the other had dried fish.

I was caught by surprise when I saw several workers walking towards me from the direction where we retrieved the traps. I cursed under my breath. All of them stopped when they saw me with the traps. They were all interested in either the rat or the trap, or both. Big trouble.

Very BIG trouble. I saw Jeric walking amongst the men, I stood up, and motioned for him to keep walking. I was in a foul mood. And so was he.

The word is out. We are trapping marals. With white rats. With nice traps. The discussion was our breakfast this morning. How to go about this? Manang Diding will know. I am also frustrated by our failure. I know it's only our second attempt, but I do not have months to try and capture a cat. I decided to have Jeric ask nang Diding if she knows a local who hunts leopard cats. To top this morning's fiasco, we didn't have power until late in the afternoon.

Tomorrow is another day.

Second attempt?

I was up by 3:48 AM; too excited so I couldn't get back to sleep. Is there a cat pissed off because he got caught, and frustrated because he couldn't get to rat that lured him to the trap in the first place? Or like Rajan, would we have to wait for months before we can catch our first one?

My alarm rang at 4:45. I got up, and heard Jeric stir. I went down to the loo; went back up to change clothes. We got our stuff ready the night before, and the coffee was ready by the time I got down. I was fidgety. I wanted to go out. I didn't even finish my coffee when I told Jeric, "let's go." One reason was it was almost light. Another was I was too excited.

We walked purposefully to where we set the trap. We were ready. We had discussed the night before the steps we'd take if we have a capture; the data that should be entered in the form. The works.

We got to the trap. I peered. I directed my headlamp to the entrance. An eye shine. But, no cat. Tom survived the night. While Jeric was taking the trap out, i survived the road for tracks and scats; hoping to know if a cat came by, and the trap was just unattractive, or repulsive. There was none. It didn't rain and the soil was too hard to retain any paw print.

We headed home. Tom was reunited with Geri, and both are now cuddled in sleep. Geri was no longer peeking out.

I was up by 3:48 AM; too excited so I couldn't get back to sleep. Is there a cat pissed off because he got caught, and frustrated because he couldn't get to rat that lured him to the trap in the first place? Or like Rajan, would we have to wait for months before we can catch our first one?

My alarm rang at 4:45. I got up, and heard Jeric stir. I went down to the loo; went back up to change clothes. We got our stuff ready the night before, and the coffee was ready by the time I got down. I was fidgety. I wanted to go out. I didn't even finish my coffee when I told Jeric, "let's go." One reason was it was almost light. Another was I was too excited.

We walked purposefully to where we set the trap. We were ready. We had discussed the night before the steps we'd take if we have a capture; the data that should be entered in the form. The works.

We got to the trap. I peered. I directed my headlamp to the entrance. An eye shine. But, no cat. Tom survived the night. While Jeric was taking the trap out, i survived the road for tracks and scats; hoping to know if a cat came by, and the trap was just unattractive, or repulsive. There was none. It didn't rain and the soil was too hard to retain any paw print.

We headed home. Tom was reunited with Geri, and both are now cuddled in sleep. Geri was no longer peeking out.

Catching cats

We were unsure if it would be good to set the trap. The four o' clock sky was too dark, and thunder is threatening to bring what seems to be a downpour. If I cannot bear to think of the rat Tom getting drenched and cold for an evening, how much more the potential leopard cat capture? I made a decision. It hasn't rained yet; we can still go. We set out with the rat, some food and water for our poor live bait, the trap, some bamboo stakes that we will use to secure the trap to the ground, and an espading (a large cutting tool for harvesting cane).

We got to the area where we had planned to put the trap. Jeric went to level the soil. We secured the trap with the bamboo stakes; scattered more soil on the trap floor, and covered it with dried cane leaves. I reluctantly put Tom (short for Tomasa),  in the bait compartment, apologizing for what will be a long and cold night (hopefully, not wet too); and what may be the trauma of her murid life. I placed a rock before the treadle, hoping that the leopard cat has enough sense to step over it and place its foot on the treadle, triggering the door shut. We put more dried leaves around the trap, hoping that it looks as natural as cane rows go.

I took some photos of the trap after we finished setting it up. With one last apology to Tom we left. I hope it won't rain tonight. It's already half past 9 in the evening, still no rain.

Geri (short for Geronima), the quieter of the two rats, was unusually mobile this evening. She also kept on looking out; seemingly looking for someone. I talked to her, saying Tom's going back to the crate tomorrow. I didn't tell her that if we didn't get any cat tonight, it will be her turn to go out and be bait. I don't think she'll be able to take it.

We're going out tomorrow at 5:30 am. I am excited; worried about Tom though. I do feel sorry for her, and for Geri, who I'm sure is missing her friend and roommate.

Hopefully tomorrow...