Below is our letter written to the Eastern Daily Press in response to the article RSPCA warning against ‘inhumane and cruel’ snares after fox freed in Suffolk, which was published on 27th January:
Sir,
For decades biologists at the Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust (GWCT) have been using fox snare traps. We have found them an efficient way to catch foxes alive in order to fit radio tags to study their ecology (in some cases re-capturing them) and, used in this way, injuries are rare.
After release, tagged foxes show no abnormal behaviour, survive normally and breed normally. We also note that correctly used modern snares meet the humaneness standards for restraining traps defined in the Agreement on International Humane Trapping Standards (AIHTS). So, we find it is bizarre that staff at the RSPCA should describe snare traps as ‘inhumane’ when they achieve an international standard that our common kitchen mouse traps would fail.
However, we do agree that careless or irresponsible use of snares can result in injury to wild animals. Because there are no direct alternatives, that match the advantages of a snare trap, the GWCT has undertaken research that has resulted in modifications to both their design and use.
Perhaps it is time for others, that also seek to improve animal welfare, to help promote the correct use of these efficient and humane modern trapping devices?
Andrew Gilruth
Director of Communications
Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust
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