A Magpie caught in a leghold trap. A rabbit used for bait.
The numbers of animals existing, the collateral damage, the incredible toll trapping takes on our wildlife, including unprotected and protected animal species, are unknown. No species is exempt from being caught in a trap/snare. Trapped, they can remain exposed, hungry, freezing, injured, for days, even weeks, as we have no required trap check time interval expect for wolves which requires 48 hour visible trap check.
Montanans and visitors value ethical and respectful treatment of our treasured wildlife and our incredible public lands. Species classified as "Furbearers," "Nongame" and predators are worth far more alive and to many than killed inhumanely and unnecessarily by the less than 1% of Montanans that trap.
Trapped Coyote Leg Injury - Caught in a Trap
Read the story of a trapped coyote exhibiting the amount of damage that is created by loss of blood to living tissues and bone as a result of leghold traps. "Whenever tissue has been constricted for an extended period we become concerned for the integrity of both the tissues and the nerves, due to loss of blood flow."
How long it was trapped is unknown. In Montana, we have no required trap check interval. They can be trapped days, weeks.
THREE DAYS AFTER the trap was released, despite all the medical assistance, the paw was dead and decaying due to the extended period of blood loss. This can take days or even weeks to occur.
Trappers claim there's no harm done by traps, that the animals are just fine, including any released from traps, and the photographic evidence we share are all photo-shopped.
Trapped Coyote Leg Injury - Caught in a Trap Story courtesy of Wildlife Rehabilitation Center of Minnesota
