Snares have been in the news recently, with a successful campaign by the League Against Cruel Sports in banning them in Wales, after a 6 year long campaign. This is now being taken to Scottish parliament for consideration too, though as yet it shows no signs of consideration in England. But what are the actual effects on wildlife? And is there a place for snares in a rewilded world?
The negative impact of snares has been well-documented. Despite the arguments made for snares, they cannot be set only for ‘target’ species. The target species are generally foxes and rabbits, often victims of being in the wrong place at the wrong time – according to us. Although they may seem common, the fact is that foxes and rabbits have undergone population declines since the late 90s, 44% since 96 for foxes, and 64% for rabbits. So do we really need to be ‘controlling’ their populations this way? How will the decline, particularly in rabbits, be affecting predators that use them as a food source?
Aside from the foxes and rabbits, many other species get caught. In fact, a 2012 government study showed that up to three quarters of animals caught in snares were not the target species. Animals such as mountain hares, badgers, deer and otters have all fallen victim to snares. Dogs and cats can even become caught by snares, causing serious injuries and prolonged, painful deaths. Five in 17 snare users admit to finding cats caught in their snares, even though this is illegal. Even humans have been hurt by snares, caught unaware while out running or walking.
Who are these snare users? And why do they use them? According to Protect the Wild;
“Snares are largely used by gamekeepers on shooting estates. Government after government has decided that shooting live animals for ‘sport’ is a legitimate practice. Shoots want to eradicate predators, so snaring has been permitted to continue when common sense and any understanding at all of wild animal sentience would tell you it should be banned.”
Again, we find shooting ‘sport’, the suffering of wildlife and a negative impact on nature closely linked. Setting snares to catch mid-size predators to protect chicks destined only to be shot later, piles up bodies of collateral damage. This has a cascade effect on the ecosystem of which they are a part, unravelling natural balances.
With all this in mind, the vast decline in ‘target’ species populations, the indiscriminate way all animals and even humans and pets are caught by snares, as well as the fact that 77% of the British population think that they should be banned, it’s clear that they have no place in rewilding areas and society generally. We should be protecting our native species, not killing them by setting traps that cause immense suffering and death.