Born Free USA’s New
Website Safe Trails Educates Public on Serious Dangers of Wildlife Traps
and Keeping Pets Safe
Idaho and six other states targeted
for much-needed reform
Born Free USA, a leader in animal welfare
and wildlife conservation, has launched a new website at www.bornfreeusa.org/safetrails
in order to educate and warn the public -- especially outdoor enthusiasts --
about the dangers of hidden wildlife traps and how to keep their pets and family
members safe.
The new Safe Trails site
contains information about the dangers of traps to companion animals and what
people can do in emergencies, including how to release dogs from all types of traps.
The site also
highlights regulatory safeguards that could go far in protecting the public,
pets and wildlife from injury, and focuses on seven of the worst
states when it comes to trapping regulations that have the greatest impact on
animal welfare, wildlife conservation, and public safety: Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico,
Oregon, Utah, and Wyoming.
According to
Adam Roberts, Executive Vice President of Born Free USA, “Each year thousands of
non-targeted animals, including domestic animals and protected wildlife species,
are caught in traps throughout the U.S. We developed this site to help hikers,
campers, and others enjoying the outdoors, learn about trapping and what can be
done to keep everyone, including animals and children, safe from the dangers of
these contraptions. The barbaric trapping industry has changed little since the
1600s. We do not want to see another person or pet become a victim.”
While many states
allow the use of body crushing traps and snares on private and public land, Idaho continues to
stand out among the worst states for failing to require that traps be checked at
least once daily. In Idaho, traps need only be checked once every three days/72
hours. Trappers also catch non-target animals including endangered species,
cats, and dogs. These animals have a better chance of survival if traps are
checked at least once every 24 hours.
In addition,
Idaho has no size restriction on Conibear kill traps. Like other body-gripping
traps, Conibears are notoriously indiscriminate and pose a hazard to non-target
species. Large-sized Conibears are particularly dangerous. Twenty states limit
the size of Conibear trap on land to six inches or less or prohibit the use of
Conibear traps on land all together.
Like the
majority of states, Idaho trappers are not required to post any warning signage
that would alert the public to stay away from set traps. The Idaho Department of
Fish and Game encourages trappers to use a warning sign produced by the Idaho
Trappers Association but does not require it.
Roberts says,
“A majority of people surely visit Idaho public lands to observe wildlife, hike,
walk their dogs, and enjoy nature. Most people would agree that Idaho public
lands should protect wildlife and wildlife habitat and provide a safe
opportunity to enjoy it. But many are unaware that traps might be present where
they recreate. It is a recipe for disaster, and we hope that if this brutal industry
continues to exist, that we can at least inform people, even if it means
teaching them how to attempt to free their companion animal (or child) should
they fall victim to a body-crushing trap. No one should ever have to face that
horror.”
Wildlife
traps are not only found in the deep wilderness, but also near hiking trails, in
national wildlife refuges, on public and private lands where children play and
dogs are walked, and even in urban areas. They are indiscriminate and can
inflict serious injury – or death -- to any animal or person who is caught.
Born Free USA
works to expose and address the dangers and cruelty of trapping by educating the
public; encouraging legislators and policymakers to enact stronger laws;
ensuring state agencies are enforcing existing protections; and championing
humane alternatives of mitigating conflicts with wildlife. Born Free USA
maintains an online database of reported incidents of
non-targeted animals by state.
Born Free
USA is a nationally
recognized leader in animal welfare and wildlife conservation. Through
litigation, legislation and public education, Born Free USA leads vital
campaigns against animals in entertainment, exotic “pets,” trapping and fur, and
the destructive international wildlife trade. Born Free USA brings to the United
States the message of “compassionate conservation” — the vision of the United
Kingdom-based Born Free Foundation, established in 1984 by Bill Travers and
Virginia McKenna, stars of the iconic film “Born Free,” along with their son
Will Travers, now chief executive officer of both organizations. Born Free’s
mission is to end suffering of wild animals in captivity, conserve threatened
and endangered species, and encourage compassionate conservation
globally.
More at www.bornfreeusa.org; on Twitter at http://twitter.com/bornfreeusa; and
Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/BornFreeUSA.
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