By Sue Kronenberger, Helena
It is wonderful news that the lives of the three orphaned grizzly cubs were saved and that they were provided excellent care for several weeks at the Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks Rehabilitation Center in Helena. From the Independent Record report on this story it is evident that a lot of care and effort went into securing a humane and healthy longterm home for these bears given that they cannot return to the wild.
I find it puzzling and disturbing that this state agency, Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks, works so diligently and uses many resources to save the lives of three animals while at the same time condones, manages and furthers the practice of trapping wild animals on public lands. Nearly 53,000 animals were trapped and killed in a one year period (2013-14 FWP report – that number did not include lynx, endangered species or other non-intended animals such as raptors). The actual number was probably much larger as only roughly 1/3 of the 15 plus animals that can legally be trapped and killed are required to be reported.
Let’s look at a bottom line about trapping: As direct and immediate kill is not assured, many animals endure several hours or days of dehydration, starvation and/or severe pain until they are finally killed when the trapper checks his/her traps. In addition, we do not know the untold numbers of kits or other young offspring who die of starvation and dehydration when their mother is caught and killed by a trapper. We will never know the exact, or even nearly exact, numbers of how many animals suffer in this way because FWP does not check traps and would never be able to do so. During trapping seasons thousands of traps are strewn throughout public lands in forest, fields and streams. Trappers are not required to report where they place their traps and snares. And in most cases, there is no required trap check time period. Animals are left legally for days, weeks on end, and subjected to bitter cold, predation, pain from injury and/or unable to escape without losing an appendage.
Nowhere else in society do we allow the abuse and torture of animals… not in our homes, farms, shelters, zoos or businesses that breed animals. As a society we are outraged, and rightly so, when we learn of animals in homes or business who are chained, starving and suffering from dehydration.
I assume that most of you reading this care about the welfare of animal life. (Only less than 1% of Montanans purchase a $29 trapping license.) If you do care, please take a few minutes to contact your legislative representatives and Governor Bullock. Phone numbers and addresses can be found at leg.mt.gov.