2020 Volume 60 Issue 2 Pages 359-366
The number of culled sika deer (Cervus nippon) and wild boar (Sus scrofa) by snare traps has recently been increasing all over Japan. Coincidently with culling, many cases of unintentional capture of non-target mammals have also been reported. Details about unintentional capture of non-target animals are still unknown, because in Japan there is no obligation to report unintentional captures under the Wildlife Protection and Hunting Management Law.
In Komoro-city, Nagano, the municipal wildlife management system was recently reorganized and the municipal office has begun collecting data on the unintentional capturing of non-target mammals. These data revealed that 29.9–53.0% of all captured animals in 2015–2018 were non-target species. Among these were multiple medium-sized mammals—especially carnivores such as raccoon dogs (Nyctereutes procyonoides), foxes (Vulpes vulpes), and others—and most were killed after being captured by snare traps. We obtained information on the damage caused by the traps to the individual animals in various areas, and found their injuries were extensive. We must recognize the danger snare traps present to non-target species by unintentionally causing serious damage to these animals, discuss how to improve capture of target species by the snare traps, and design more scientifically and ethically sound wildlife management systems.
