Glue traps used as pest control continue to pose a danger to wildlife in Singapore, as they get caught in these traps that are not intended for them.
The issue was highlighted when no less than seven animals were found caught in glue traps in a single day.
Source: ACRES: Animal Concerns Research and Education Society (Singapore) on Facebook
They included a pair of mother and baby squirrels that subsequently died from the ordeal.
The seven animals’ harrowing day in glue traps was related in a Facebook post by the Animal Concerns Research and Education Society (ACRES) last Saturday (15 June).
The animals that were ensnared were:
While ACRES didn’t specify what date this happened, the four separate cases were called in by concerned members of the public.
The most heartbreaking case involved the two squirrels — understood to be a mother and baby.
ACRES suspected that the baby squirrel had entered the covered glue trap first, and its mother followed to help.
Unfortunately, both of them ended up getting stuck.
Source: ACRES: Animal Concerns Research and Education Society (Singapore) on Facebook
Though they were rescued, both squirrels had ingested and inhaled the glue.
The mother squirrel passed away a few hours after her rescue for that reason, as well as stress.
The baby didn’t survive either — it had to be euthanised.
A saving grace is that during their assessment and fluid therapy, rescue officers kept the mother and child in view of each other so that they wouldn’t suffer more stress.
The other cases ACRES attended to had happier endings.
In one of them, a gecko ended up getting stuck to the snake — its natural predator.
Source: ACRES: Animal Concerns Research and Education Society (Singapore) on Facebook
They were safely removed and released.
As for the cases involving the pigeon and the mynah, both birds were also released after being removed from their sticky situations.
Source: ACRES: Animal Concerns Research and Education Society (Singapore) on Facebook
ACRES has been advocating against glue traps for years, saying they cause prolonged suffering to animals and are indiscriminate in their targets.
On 9 May, it renewed its call for glue traps to be regulated in Singapore, saying animals caught in glue traps suffer starvation, dehydration, and suffocation, eventually enduring “agonising deaths”.
Those rescued face a “gruelling” recovery process and often succumb to their injuries or require extensive medical intervention.
Source: ACRES: Animal Concerns Research and Education Society (Singapore) on Facebook
Since 2014, nearly 2,000 animals have been saved from glue traps — 25% of them protected species, said ACRES.
In a survey of 1,000 respondents late last year, 61% said they would discard live rats found caught in glue boards, it added.
If they found wildlife in the glue boards, almost half of those surveyed would throw the animals away. Only 10% said they would alert animal welfare groups or the National Parks Board (NParks).
Unfortunately, there are no local guidelines and regulations at present on their sale and use among members of the public, the organisation lamented.
On 8 May, Nee Soon MP Louis Ng asked Minister for Sustainability and the Environment Grace Fu in Parliament whether her ministry would consider regulating the use of glue traps and put measures in place to ensure that cats and wild animals are not caught in them.
In a written reply, she said pest control operators (PCOs) had been issued guidelines on the responsible use of glue traps.
The relevant authorities were reviewing the guidelines to reduce the likelihood of non-target animals being trapped and to render quicker assistance should they be accidentally trapped, she added.
Revised guidelines were issued in a circular to PCOs on 15 May, reported The Straits Times (ST).
They stipulated that glue traps must stick to a maximum size of 35cm by 25cm, cannot be used in outdoor or semi-open areas and have to be checked daily, among other recommendations.
Also read: Cats Become Accidental Victims Of Glue Traps, SPCA Urges Public To Stop Using Them
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Featured image adapted from ACRES: Animal Concerns Research and Education Society (Singapore) on Facebook.
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