Wildlife Snare Trapping and Bycatch Welfare

Snares set for bushmeat or pest control indiscriminately capture non-target animals, causing severe injuries and deaths among protected species and companion animals.

Key Facts

Tens of millions of snares are set across sub-Saharan Africa alone, primarily for bushmeat
Wire snares can remain active for years, capturing animals long after their setter is gone
Non-target species including endangered wildlife, domestic dogs, and cats are regularly caught
Snare injuries cause prolonged suffering — dehydration, amputation, and strangulation
Snare removal programs in national parks have recovered thousands of snares annually

Welfare Considerations

Snare trapping inflicts severe, prolonged suffering on captured animals. Wire snares tighten as animals struggle, causing cuts, broken bones, and limb loss. Animals may remain trapped for days or weeks before dying of injuries, dehydration, or predation. Non-selectivity makes snares particularly harmful to biodiversity conservation. The welfare costs are immense and often invisible — most snared animals die unobserved. Snare removal programs protect both wildlife welfare and biodiversity simultaneously.

What You Can Do

Support anti-poaching and snare removal programs in conservation areas
Donate to organizations that fund snare patrols in high-biodiversity regions
Advocate for stronger penalties for illegal snare use in wildlife areas
Report suspected snare activity to authorities when encountered