Neck killing snares designed to kill wolves and coyotes are errupting across the country.  Not only do these devices cause extreme and prolonged suffering to wolves, they als kill considerable numbers of non-target wildlife species.

There has been increased attention and discussion across North America surrounding neck snares as a method of killing wolves. A recent article titled Humaneness and Selectivity of Killing Neck Snares Used to Capture Canids in Canada: A Review by Dr. Gilbert Proulx and other wildlife experts appeared in the Canadian Journal of Wildlife Biology and Management (2015: Vol 4, No 1).

In this review, the authors reveal that although killing neck snares are used on trap-lines across Canada, they have a strong impact on animal welfare and they are not subject to trap performance criteria set out in the Agreement on International Humane Trapping Standards (AIHTS).

Due to the neck anatomy and musculature of wolves, neck snares do not cause a quick death.  Instead, there is often  prolonged and excruciating suffering. 

Dwight Rodtka, a retired predator control specialist  for the Alberta government and an expert on snares, has this to say about them:

"A snare is one of the oldest and deadliest devices we use to capture animals, birds, and fish. After hundreds of years their design is still archaic and causes a lengthy torturous death.

They are cheap, easy to use, and very effective, thus their popularity. Death is supposed to be caused by strangulation and a stoppage of blood flow to and from the brain. Under field conditions this can take anywhere from several minutes to days or longer because of the high variability of snare positioning on the body, a malfunctioning lock, weather conditions, or the gait of the animal. In real life death is often caused by dehydration, exhaustion, or freezing. "

In addition, killing snares are not specific in what species they target, and can cause extended suffering to many non-intended animals. They review reminds us that Endangered Species are killed incidentally in snares, and even animals such as moose , caribou , and deer  have been captured and killed in snares intended for canids.

Below is a list (incomplete)  of animals that were killed from trapping (mostly with snares)  within Alberta Fish and Wildlife Division Districts which contain caribou range, between 2000 - 2012. Data  was collected from voluntary submissions by trappers, so these numbers are a bare minimum.  These lives are considered  "collateral damage" .

Little Smoky Wolf Management Program

Species    Total # of animals
Black bear      12
Caribou 2
Cougar  163
Deer    62
Eagle (bald and golden) 40
Fisher  173
Fox     3
Grizzly bear    3
Goshawk 1
Lynx    70
Moose   12
Otter   73
Owls    12
Small mammals (marten, mink, skunk, squirrel, weasel)   12
Wolverine       38
TOTAL   676
 

There are more humane alternatives and therefore snares  are no longer acceptable and should be phased out as soon as possible!   In the interim, snares should  be on a 24 hour mandatory check.

We encourage you to contact your local MLA or MPP, as well as Premier and Ministers of Natural Resources and Environment to let them know your thoughts on snares (Contact information below)

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KEY POINTS:

i. Killing snares are not required to meet AIHTS standards
ii. Snares are cheap and easy to make and therefor widely used  

     ...sometimes hundreds at a time
iii. the scientific community is making a strong case against their humaneness and selectivity, along with continued please from animal welfare advocates
iv. due to the musculature/anatomy of wolves killing snares cause them prolonged and excruciating suffering.