Snare and Trap Welfare: Reducing Suffering in Wildlife Control and Poaching

Snares and traps cause immense suffering to wildlife globally, from targeted poaching to incidental trapping. Better trap standards and enforcement can significantly reduce this harm.

Key Facts

Approximately 100 million animals are estimated to be caught in snares globally each year
Wire snares used in bushmeat hunting in Africa are among the most indiscriminate and cruel trapping methods
Self-locking snares that tighten and cannot be released are banned in many countries
Legally set traps in many jurisdictions still allow prolonged suffering before death or release
Certified humane traps minimise time to death and reduce non-target capture

Welfare Considerations

Snares and traps cause some of the most severe and prolonged animal suffering of any human activity. Wire snares do not distinguish between target and non-target species, and animals can struggle for hours or days before dying or being found. Legal trapping standards in many jurisdictions are inadequate, allowing methods that cause prolonged suffering. International standards for humane trapping have been developed through the Agreement on International Humane Trapping Standards, but adoption and enforcement is inconsistent. Anti-poaching programs that remove illegal snares from protected areas directly save wildlife from suffering. Consumers can contribute by rejecting wildlife products that may have been harvested through snaring.

What You Can Do

Support anti-snaring programs and organisations that remove illegal traps from wildlife areas
Advocate for adoption and enforcement of humane trap standards
Reject wildlife products that may have been harvested through snaring or illegal trapping
Learn about snaring and its impact to inform effective advocacy