Born Free USA applauds the reintroduction in the Refuge from Cruel Trapping Act in the U.S. House of Representatives. Championed by Congressman Jerry Nadler (D-NY) and Congressman Earl Blumenauer (D-OR), this important legislation would ban body-gripping traps – including steel-jaw leghold traps, Conibear traps, and strangulation neck snares – within our National Wildlife Refuge System: public, protected lands set aside to be a safe haven for our native wildlife.
“When Americans visit their local national wildlife refuges, most expect to view wildlife without the fear that they or their pets will fall victim to a dangerous trap,” said Rep. Jerrold Nadler. “However, approximately 43% of our 567 refuges still permit trapping—putting humans, companion animals, and endangered species at risk of severe injury. It’s clear that these traps have no place on protected lands and my legislation with Rep. Blumenauer will ensure all of our refuges are free from this inhumane practice.”
Traps are cruel. Animals caught in traps suffer extreme pain and injury, as well as exposure to harsh conditions such as starvation, dehydration, predation, and more. By their very design, traps are indiscriminate and can cause severe injury and even death to anyone who steps into them – targeted wildlife, endangered species, companion animals, and even people. Born Free’s investigations have repeatedly shown that animals can also suffer prolonged and violent deaths in the hands of trappers, including being beaten to death with baseball bats.
“America’s National Wildlife Refuge System should be a sanctuary for people and animals alike,” said Rep. Earl Blumenauer. “There are too many concerning examples of wild animals and pets falling victim to body-gripping traps. This legislation will create a true refuge for wildlife by prohibiting these cruel traps on public lands.”
Our National Wildlife Refuge System encompasses the most comprehensive and diverse collection of wildlife habitats in the world, providing a home for more than 380 endangered species, and visited by thousands of people every year. Despite this, and despite the inherent brutality and danger of trapping, trapping is currently permitted on approximately half of refuges within the National Wildlife Refuge System, making a mockery of the very definition of “refuge.” Since 2021, the land area within refuges which allow trapping has risen by 20% in the lower 48 states, and 454% increase in Alaska.
“It is appalling that animal trapping is still permitted in the United States despite overwhelming and undeniable evidence that animals suffer terribly when captured by traps,” said Angela Grimes, CEO of Born Free USA. “It is inexcusable that this outdated and cruel practice is permitted at all, let alone being allowed on even more public land. Our national wildlife refuges which should, by rights, be a place where wild animals are safe from harm.”
It is long past time to ban the use of the cruel and archaic devices on protected lands, and Born Free USA urges the House to act quickly to pass this important wildlife protection bill!
