Trapping inhumane, even to big cats

In reference to the Cd’A Press article by AP writer Keith Ridler on Tuesday, Jan. 22, “New Idaho wolf trap rules” may be misleading. It’s true that our traditional institutions are coming under fire, and trapping is one. The primary reasons are human overpopulation, consumption, social media and modern research. Idaho’s change stands out, being the fastest-growing state in the nation, with Boise becoming a tech hub and Cd’A an innovation center!

The Idaho Trappers Association’s justification and downplay does not tell the whole story, which is very important for mountain hikers, bikers, and hunters in the discussion. The trapping association and professional trappers, primarily commercial and recreational (who usually set traps for coyote, bobcat, fox, wolves and other fur-bearing animals) are trying their best to avoid conflict and a negative image. They’re ineffective because of the indiscriminate and inhumane nature of traps.

In an unregulated commercial market there are three widely used wildlife traps available at Cabela’s, Amazon, etc., that anyone can purchase.

1. The most common steel jawed leg-hold trap (an archaic device sometimes referred to as a restraining trap)

2. Snare trap (kills by strangulation or crushing vital organs)

3. Conibear traps (often baited and originally intended to be an instant-killing trap, but usually does not kill instantly, and the animal endures prolonged suffering)

The ITA was correct that the leg hold traps were “not designed to hurt anything.” However, the reality of using the leg-hold traps is that when an animal, especially a powerful big cat, is caught in one they react to the instant pain and restraint by pulling against the trap in a desperate attempt to free themselves, often enduring fractures, ripped tendons, edema, blood loss, even amputations, tooth and mouth damage (from chewing and biting at trap) and starvation. Research shows the larger the animal, such as the cougar, the greater the damage and less chance for recovery.

Some cougars released or that chewed a paw off are found dead shortly after from injuries, assumed stress-related organ injuries and/or blood loss from lost limbs. Claims of “incidental” or “waste” indiscriminant animals such as the cougar, other wild animals, domestic dogs, cats and even humans being released unharmed are subjective, not based on diagnostics. Can you imagine trying to release an angry cougar?

Forty-eight cougars were “incidentally” (unintentionally) trapped and reported to Montana Fish Wildlife & Parks between 2013-2015. All were trapped in wolf trap sets, smaller leg hold traps, snares or conibear traps. Thirty-one were dead, another nine injured. Most — 96 percent — were legal trap sets, and over 75 percent were on public lands. From my research these numbers vary, but this is typical of the western states that record such data.

Trapping is difficult to regulate and enforce by Fish and Game departments, especially when another government agency, USDA Wildlife Services, uses traps for predator control. And it’s hard to imagine all that goes on in the trapping we don’t know!

•••

James H. Mundy IV, is a big cat specialist living in Coeur d’Alene.