Published 5:45 pm Wednesday, August 5, 2026
Skunks, raccoons, squirrels, marmots hurt by rodent traps | Aldergrove Star
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The Critter Care Wildlife Society and Fur Bearers of B.C. are concerned about the large number of wild animals, such as raccoons and skunks, injured by plastic rat traps. (Critter Care Wildlife Society)
Critter Care has taken in more than 30 wild animals injured by plastic rodent traps in recent weeks around the Lower Mainland.
The harms are leading to a call to end the use of the traps outside.
The Fur-Bearers, a non-partisan, registered Canadian charity founded in 1953, was contacted by Critter Care Wildlife Society, after the licensed rehabilitation centre in South Langley cared for dozens of animals injured by the traps.
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Skunks, raccoons, squirrels, and marmots were treated for numerous injuries, including deep lacerations with bone exposure, shattered fingers and toes, rotting flesh, and lost limbs (from chewing or twisting the traps off).
“These black plastic rat traps are causing significant, life-altering injuries to wildlife species around the Lower Mainland, and it is devastating to see their impact,” said Jenna Kuncewicz, senior wildlife supervisor at Critter Care. “We’re also hearing about animals who are being caught in fences as the traps prevent their normal movement; one raccoon was stuck in a fence for three days.”
She explained that the black snap traps are made of strong plastic with exceptionally strong toothed jaws.
“The teeth are what embed themselves in an animal’s flesh and cause the most problems,” she said.
While the spring-loaded rodent traps are legal to purchase, their outdoor use is both dangerous and ineffective at resolving rodent-related issues, Fur-Bearers contends.
“Putting these traps outside is causing direct harm to wildlife who are simply moving through their urban habitats,” commented Fur-Bearers communications director Michael Howie. “Further, using traps does not resolve underlying issues like attractant management or feeding of animals.”