7 animals caught in glue traps in 1 day, including mother and baby squirrels who died

Seven animals found caught in glue traps in four separate cases: ACRES

Glue traps used to control pests continue to pose a danger to Singapore’s wildlife, who find themselves caught in traps not intended for them.

The problem was illustrated when as many as seven animals were discovered caught in glue traps in a single day.

Among them were a pair of mother and baby squirrels who later died as a result of the ordeal.

Animals caught in glue traps reported by individuals

The harrowing day of seven animals in glue traps was chronicled in a Facebook post from the Animal Concerns Research and Education Society (ACRES) last Saturday (June 15).

The trapped animals were:

• two plantain squirrels
• two spotted house geckos
• a rock pigeon
• a Javanese mynah
• a paradise tree snake

Although ACRES did not specify when this occurred, the four separate cases were called out by concerned members of the public.

A mother squirrel walked into a glue trap to help baby: ACRES

The most heartbreaking case involved the two squirrels – it involved a mother and her baby.

ACRES suspected that the baby squirrel had entered the covered glue trap first, and its mother followed to help.

Unfortunately, both found themselves stranded.

The two squirrels are dead

Although they were rescued, both squirrels had ingested and inhaled the glue.

The mother squirrel died within hours of her rescue due to this, as well as stress.

The baby did not survive either: he had to be euthanized.

The saving grace is that during the assessment and fluid therapy, the first aiders kept the mother and child in sight of each other so that they would not experience further stress.

Other animals safely released from glue traps

Other cases ACRES handled had happier endings.

In one of them, a gecko ended up getting stuck in the snake, its natural predator.

They were removed and released safely.

As for the cases involving the pigeon and the mynah, both birds were also released after being taken out of their predicament.

Glue traps cause prolonged suffering and agonizing deaths in animals: ACRES

ACRES has campaigned for years against glue traps, saying they cause prolonged suffering to animals and are indiscriminate in their targeting.

On May 9, he renewed his call for regulation of glue traps in Singapore, saying that animals caught in glue traps suffer from starvation, dehydration and suffocation, and eventually suffer a “death excruciating.”

Those rescued face a “grueling” recovery process and often succumb to their injuries or require extensive medical intervention.

Since 2014, nearly 2,000 animals have been saved from glue traps, including 25% protected species, ACRES said.

In a survey of 1,000 people late last year, 61 percent said they would throw away live rats found stuck in glue boards, he adds.

If they found wildlife in the glueboards, almost half of those surveyed would throw them away. Only 10% said they would alert animal welfare groups or the National Parks Board (NParks).

Unfortunately, there are currently no local guidelines or regulations regarding their sale and use by the public, the organization lamented.

Revised Glue Trap Guidelines Published May 15

On May 8, Nee Soon MP Louis Ng asked Sustainable Development and Environment Minister Grace Fu in Parliament whether her ministry would consider regulating the use of glue traps and implementing places measures to ensure that cats and wild animals are not captured there.

In a written response, she said pest control operators (PCOs) had been provided with guidelines on the responsible use of glue traps.

Relevant authorities are revising the guidelines to reduce the risk of trapping non-target animals and provide faster assistance in the event of accidental entrapment, she added.

Revised guidelines were issued in a circular to PCOs on May 15, The Straits Times (ST) reported.

They stipulate that glue traps must stick to a maximum size of 35 cm by 25 cm, cannot be used outdoors or in semi-open areas and must 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.