Wildlife Welfare

Snare Trapping and Wildlife Welfare

Snare traps used for pest control and bushmeat poaching cause prolonged suffering through strangulation, limb injuries, and stress. They are a major source of incidental wildlife suffering worldwide.

Key Facts

Snares are used by millions of subsistence hunters in Africa and Asia
Leg-hold snares cause severe lacerations and fractures as animals struggle to escape
Non-target animals including endangered species are frequently caught as bycatch
Self-locking snares are banned in the EU but widely used elsewhere
Checked snares cause less suffering than abandoned ones, but welfare impacts remain serious

Welfare Considerations

Animals caught in snares experience acute pain, fear, and in many cases prolonged suffering before death or rescue. Self-locking snares strangle slowly; leg snares cause injuries that may be fatal even after release. Illegal snaring in protected areas threatens endangered species including tigers, leopards, and elephants. Alternatives include camera traps for monitoring and lethal control methods with lower suffering profiles.

What You Can Do

Support anti-poaching organizations that remove snares from protected areas
Advocate for international bans on self-locking snare designs
Donate to snare-removal programs in biodiversity hotspots
Learn about the bushmeat crisis and support sustainable protein alternatives for affected communities