*2.3. Experimentally-Deployed Roe Deer Carcasses*

From 2002 to 2003, we monitored 26 experimentally-deployed whole roe deer carcasses (obtained as roadkill) as simulated lynx kills for 7 days using time-lapse video equipment (Table S2). The time-lapse video observations were made with a VHS tape recorder (Sanyo TLS 1960P) powered by two 12-volt batteries. This was connected to an infrared light (IR 70, 940 Nm), that was switched on 15 min before dusk and switched off 15 min after dawn, and a lens (Sony CWSHR WVF) with a miniTV cable (20 to 120 m long), so that the batteries and the tape could be changed every 24–72 h without disturbing the carcass site. We recorded 72 h on a 180 min videotape with a time-lapse of 2.5 frames per sec. The lens and IR light were mounted in a tree (2–3 m height) ca. 5 m from the carcass. The carcasses were deployed in forested habitat (in forest, small openings in forest, or forest edges). An equal number of kills were deployed in summer and winter seasons. Fourteen kills were completely covered with grass, moss or snow in the manner similar to lynx, and 12 were left completely exposed. For each kill, we determined the time of first arrival of mammalian and avian scavengers as a measure of time to detection. However, subsequent consumption rate by birds and mammals was not quantified, so detection time might not be directly related to consumption rate, although it is expected that scavengers detect the cues of other scavengers on a site [27]. Within seven days from deployment, four carcasses were not found by any scavengers, three were found only by mammals and five were found only by birds. Linear models were run to explore the factors influencing discovery time separately for birds and mammals, where the full model included treatment (covered/not covered), season (winter/summer) and their interaction as explanatory variables and number of days from deployment to discovery as dependent variable.
