Humane Trapping
Last Update/Review: June 3, 2002
Furbearing animals must be trapped compassionately to avoid unnecessary pain and suffering. The manner in which animals are trapped is a concern of many Albertans, including trappers. Those who follow the Code for Responsible Trapping will help to ensure that the harvest of this resource is done in a way that is socially acceptable.
The Fur Institute of Canada has taken a leading role in developing standardized trapping practices across Canada. Alberta has agreed to this standard. Therefore, trappers are now required to capture small furbearers, such as weasels, squirrel, mink, marten, fisher, badger and wolverine, using a kill device or, if trapped alive, a box or cage trap that will not injure the furbearer. For the capture of larger furbearers, trappers may use a foot-holding device or a killing device. However, when a foot-hold trap is used, it must be set to capture only bobcat, lynx, fox, coyote or wolf. (Note: legislation requiring killing devices for aquatic species such as muskrat, mink, otter and beaver has been in existence since 1988. Alternatively, cage or box traps may also be used to live trap these species.)
International Standards on Trapping and the European Union
On December 16, 1997, following years of prolonged negotiations, the European Union became signatories to the Agreement on International Humane Trapping Standards, along with Canada and Russia. This agreement removed the threat of a proposed European trade embargo on Canadian wild fur and committed all parties to implementing measurable improvements to the trapping of animals for their fur and for any other purpose.
Canada's implementation of the Agreement on International Humane Trapping Standards means:
- Effective by October 21, 2001, the use of all jaw-type leghold restraining traps (including padded traps), on land, will be prohibited for badger, beaver, ermine, fisher, marten, muskrat and otter. Drowning sets using jaw-type leghold restraining traps will be allowed for semiaquatic furbearers. This requirement will be in effect for all signatories; however, Alberta has already adopted similar legislation and Alberta trappers will not be affected by this change.
- Effective for the trapping season that begins on October 1, 2001, the use of the conventional steel-jawed leghold trap will be prohibited for bobcat, coyote, lynx, raccoon and wolf. In the interim, alternative leg/foot-holding devices will undergo rigorous testing against the requirements of the Agreement on International Humane Trapping Standards.
It was only after careful consultation with trappers, provincial governments and fur representatives, that Canada signed the Agreement on International Humane Trapping Standards. The next challenge is to develop a national implementation strategy that will ensure compliance and minimize inconvenience for Canadian trappers. Trappers will be kept informed of any new developments.
