| caption: |
special animal trap like a gallows |
| text: |
When we climbed up to the camp from the stream below Chentang we passed an animal trap of some interest. The principle is that of a swinging gallows trap. The animal steps into a hole around which a snare is laid which is tied to the end of a bent-down bamboo. As soon as the animal's foot touches the bottom of the hole a mechanism is set free which lets the bamboo swish up and pulls the snare tight. The walls of the pit are covered with smooth bamboo pieces which form a funnel so that the animal's foot is led to the position where the mechanism's release is fastened. This particular trap is especially intended for the leopard found here. |
