The glue trap, which was left in an Abbotsford barn, was brought to the Wildlife Rescue Association (WRA) of British Columbia. According to WRA staff, six bats were caught in the sticky residue. As the bats struggled to free themselves, more of the residue covered them, causing grievous injuries and making escape impossible.
Rehabbers at WRA spent several hours removing each bat, one-by-one, providing them with fluids and wiping away the strings and globs of glue which had coated their delicate wings, bodies, limbs and faces. One bat, who lost his foot while trying to escape, died soon after the arrival at WRA. Another, which had a severely torn wing, had to be humanely euthanized.
Four remaining bats, which staff believe to be long-eared myotis, were washed to remove the remaining residue. They are now recovering.
This is another example of the absolute need for increased consumer awareness when certain products are sold. Much like common snap traps, these glue traps leave devastation whenever they are used. Animals die horrible, painful and needless deaths because of these traps – and we have the power to stop it.
We believe that when people are made aware of the torturous affairs these seemingly-humane traps truly begin, the demand for them will quickly vanish.
ACT NOW
Click here to locate your MLA and send them an e-mail or letter with your concerns. Download and print this page to provide to the management of any local store that sells these devices.
Sample Letter:
Dear (insert name)
I am writing you to request that legislation be enacted surrounding pest control devices such as snap traps and glue traps.
These devices are sold without any warning of their potentially devastating impact on non-target wildlife. As they are simple mechanisms, they are unable to differentiate between species or recognize what part of an animal is in their grasp. Snap traps can cause broken bones, loss of limbs and other horrendous injuries. Glue traps leave animals desperate to escape – it is not unusual to see paws left on the trap and the animal gone. In both types, animals can be left for days – or longer – while they struggle and slowly die of injuries or dehydration.
Consumers must be made aware of the ramifications when these traps are used. Please put in place legislation that requires retailers to fully disclose the possibility of non-target species catch, the extensive injuries and the truth behind the deaths the traps cause.
(Your name and address)
We’d like to offer a special thank you to WRA for their tireless work to rescue these suffering animals.
Photos provided by Wildlife Rescue Association of B.C.
