Why Trapping And Relocating Is Not The Answer
Caught Red (or Dirty) Handed
Our office has been receiving a lot of calls at this time of year about wildlife, specifically raccoons, entering into open buildings that are under construction.
As winter approaches wildlife begins to look for a warm den site to reside in so when they come across a building that is under construction, they will happily welcome themselves inside. Unfortunately for the construction company, there is no easy way to prevent the wildlife from re-entering until the building is completely closed in and finished being built.
Our company is able to catch the racoon inside the building and place them in a trap for transport to the outdoors but as a rule of thumb we always release the raccoon, or any other animal on site. Many individuals will call our office requesting the trapping and relocation of a wild animal on their property, which is against the law to do. Legally, we are only allowed to relocated any wildlife up to 1km.
The majority of the public thinks that if the offending animal is trapped and relocated and the number of animals in the neighbourhood is ultimately reduced, then the problem will go away. This couldn’t be further from the truth.
The vacancy created by moving an animal out of the neighbourhood offers an opportunity for other animals in the vicinity to move in to take advantage of the existing food and shelter. Since no overall reduction in the number of animals will be achieved in the long run, trapping and relocation is nothing but an exercise in futility and a waste of money.
? Trapping creates orphans by taking a mother animal away from her dependent offspring.
? Wildlife will do anything to escape the confinement of the trap, often causing serious self-injury and sometimes death.
? Relocating wildlife away from their known food sources and shelter causes stress and starvation.
? Studies have shown that trapped animals can die of stress related causes even days after being released.
? Dumping wildlife into the territory of another animal can end up in vicious territorial fights over food and shelter.
? Transferring a sick animal into a population of healthy animals spreads infectious diseases.
? Exposure to adverse weather conditions and inconsistent monitoring of the traps while confined can kill the animal.
Please speak-out against the inhumane use of traps as a means of wildlife control!
By Brad Gates, B.Sc.
Brad Gates is the owner and president of AAA Gates Wildlife Control. He has over 35 years experience in the humane wildlife removal and prevention industry.