Pyydystys

Pyydystys is the activity of capturing animals through the use of traps and related devices. In Finnish wildlife management, ecology and pest control, the term covers a range of methods intended to restrain or capture animals, typically with an aim to study, relocate, regulate populations, or mitigate damage. Common approaches include live traps such as cage or box traps, snares, nets, and pitfall traps, as well as baited devices used to monitor or capture individuals.

Applications of pyydystys span wildlife research, population management, animal relocation, and pest control. It can be employed in conservation programs, invasive species management, and agricultural contexts to reduce crop damage. In many jurisdictions, pyydystys is regulated to protect animal welfare and non-target species, and may require permits, trained personnel, and adherence to seasonal or area-specific restrictions. Ethics and welfare considerations emphasize minimizing suffering and avoiding unnecessary captures, with non-lethal methods preferred in research and monitoring where possible.

Etymology and usage: the term derives from the Finnish verb pyydystää, meaning to trap or ensnare. It is used broadly in Finnish-language texts to describe the act of trapping across wildlife biology, veterinary, and environmental management.

See also: trapping, wildlife management, pest control.