Fur trapping
Each year, millions of animals are trapped in the wild so that they can be skinned and turned into fur coats. Species killed include beavers, bobcats, coyotes, foxes, lynx, mink, muskrat, opossums, raccoons, wolves and other wild cats.
The most commonly used trap is the steel-jawed leghold trap. When set by the trapper, the spring-loaded jaws are opened up and held with a metal clip. When an animal steps on it, the clip is released and they snap shut with incredible force. The trap is supposed to catch the animal’s leg, but they can also be caught across their back, neck or head. The trapped animal will be in agony, unable to escape, for hours or even days, until the trapper comes back to suffocate or beat them to death. Trapped animals have been known to chew off their own limbs in an attempt to escape.
And these leghold traps do not discriminate. They catch any animal who treads on them. Trappers call these non-target animals ‘trash’. These cruel contraptions are now banned in 88 countries, including the UK, and in several states across the USA. However, fur is still imported to the UK from animals who have been killed by leghold traps in other countries.
Other cruel devices used by trappers include the body grip (Conibear) trap, and the wire snare.
The main countries involved in trapping animals for the fur trade are the USA, Russia and Canada.
Want to know more?
- Read our Fur Trade factsheet
- Find out more on the Respect for Animals site
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