Trapping

The start of the trapping season is October 15th.

Each year approximately 10 million animals are trapped in the wild so that they can be skinned and turned into fur coats. The primary tools used by fur trappers to capture animals are the leg hold trap, the body grip (Conibear) trap, and the wire snare.

The steel-jaw leg hold trap has been declared inhumane by the American Veterinary Medical Association. Animals caught in these traps suffer excruciating pain with broken bones, tendons and ligaments. The mutilated limb will often be chewed or twisted off by the animal. Leg hold traps are often set underwater. These "drowning sets" used for muskrats, beavers, raccoons, and otters, cause the animals to struggle underwater for up to 20 minutes before they die. The fur industry argues that these "drowning sets" are humane. This only shows that their definition of humane is quite different than that of the rest of society.

The body grip or "Conibear" trap snaps shut on an animal's body. These traps often miss the vital spot for a "quick kill". Crushed bones, blood vessels, and nerves cause excruciating pain and a prolonged death.

Snares are the most primitive and indiscriminate traps used. As an animal struggles, a wire noose tightens around its neck or body part, leading to an agonizing death.

Animals which stay alive in the traps, sometimes for days, await further torture when the trappers returns. Trapping manuals recommend horrendous killing techniques so that pelts are not damaged.

Isn't it odd that many fur wearers who love and cherish one canine, such as their pet dog, would condemn another canine, such as a fox, to a horrific death? Perhaps these people would be more concerned about trapping if their beloved pet were ever to become lost. Remember that at least 2 non-target animals are trapped for each target animal. Referred to as "trash kills" non-target animals are simply thrown away.

Trapping does not control "nuisance" wildlife. As the human population expands into wildlife habitat, remember that many types of non-lethal humane solutions are available.

The fur trade has nearly caused the extinction of fishers, martens, several species of wild cats and others. Trap lines are not supervised.

Despite the fact that a very high percentage of Canadians oppose fur trapping , our governments have not yet banned this inhumane practice. A poll conducted in the Kelowna area indicated that 93.5% voted in favor of banning fur trapping. TRACS has collected thousands of anti-trapping petition signatures.

Sindi Hawkins, the Liberal MLA for Okanagan West, stated to TRACS representatives that if fur trapping is to continue efforts should be made to find more humane methods. She is not aware of the fact that the Canadian government has already spent millions of dollars in hopes of developing a "humane" leg hold trap. This, however, has proven to be nothing more than a pro-fur public relations move. Canadian trap researchers have tried to develop a body grip trap that kills the targeted animal within 5 minutes, just 70% of the time. They have not been able to do this. Instead these traps mostly wound the animals which sometimes linger for days in great pain.

TRACS has obtained a "Wild Fur Harvest Summary" from the BC Ministry of Environment which indicates that total values of fur pelts are declining yearly. There are warehouses stockpiled full of unwanted fur pelts. Yet our governments continue to subsidize this industry with millions of tax dollars. There are no livelihoods to sustain here to warrant these subsidies. The International Association of Fish and Wildlife released a national survey indicating that just 4% of trappers' income is derived from fur trapping.

Fur trapping is a barbaric activity done to supply people with an object of vanity, a fur coat. Clearly, this animal suffering cannot be justified with such a frivolous product. The suffering is multiplied when one considers the fact that an average of 40 animals must be killed to make one fur coat. Don't buy clothing made of fur, lined with fur or trimmed with fur. Don't buy fur toys or fur decorations.

Trapping is indefensible, and should be banned today.

Please Join TRACS today and help stop this cruelty.