The Wildlife Rescue Association of BC contacted The Fur-Bearers yesterday with the news and photos. We were able to identify the trap as a Conibear 110 – typically set as a ‘killing’ trap for muskrat, which is currently out of season. The trap would be considered illegal, unless it were on private property, where it would be called ‘protection’ against ‘nuisance’ wildlife.
What makes this tale more horrifying for the young skunk, who is currently recovering with the rehabilitators, is that the trap can legally be left for up to two weeks without being checked.
The lack of tags or signage on or around the trap make it impossible to know who set it, and since so many people were involved prior to the skunk being taken to the WRA, it’s hard to know if the trap was set on private or public property.
All of this – the inherent cruelty of the trap, the anonymous nature and hands-off approach of its use, and the ongoing disgust that BC residents feel – is more than enough reason for the Minister of Forests, Lands and Natural Resources to bring forward changes in policy.
We’ve waited for two years for Minister Steve Thomson to address municipalities who want to ban these inherently inhumane devices – and he’s ignored them, as well as us.
We’ve created a sample letter with contact information for you to send to Minister Thomson, so please, take a few minutes and send it in (click here for details). With enough pressure he will be forced to act, and that will be a good first step for the animals we all love.
Photo provided by Wildlife Rescue Association of BC
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