Trapped in the old ways

Neck snares and similar devices often leave wolves, coyotes and other species to suffer

- PAUL GAINS

Neck snares meant to strangle to death target animals are still regularly used by Canadian fur trappers despite being widely banned across Europe and much of the United States.

These devices often leave wolves, coyotes and other wildlife species to die a horrendous death, even though an international agreement between trappers defines a "humane" death as one that occurs within 300 seconds.

Moreover, other animals-eagles, owls, pet dogs and even people are occasionally unintended victims of these devices, according to Lesley Fox, executive director of the Fur Bearers, an organization which has fought against hunting and trapping since 1953.

"Every year the Fur Bearers are contacted by someone whose animal was either extremely injured or died in a trap," she reveals. "We know that these devices on a regular basis cause problems for recreationists and their pets."

Even though the fur market has declined in recent decades, more than 45,000 licensed trappers-almost half of them Indigenous still practice in Canada. The continued use of the "killing" neck snare has amplified the ongoing opposition.

Wildlife conservation officers are responsible for monitoring the trapping industry but there are simply not enough of them. Most trappers will follow regulations but some will trespass on private property and set traps illegally.

A trapper in Nobel, Ont., was fined $2,850 last November after conservation officers discovered a trap line consisting of 14 neck snares he had failed to remove after the winter season. The trapper had "forgotten" he had left them there.

Even calls to post signs warning of traps have been dismissed since trappers worry about vandalism to their devices as a result.