Glue trap hell
FOURWAYS - Friends Of Free Wildlife volunteer, Peggy-Ann Mist, says glue traps are one of the cruelest methods of killing animals.
Friends of Free Wildlife (FFW) were asked by the Roodekruin Veterinary Clinic to collect two Cape wagtails which had been rescued from a glue trap.
According to FFW volunteer, Peggy-Ann Mist, glue traps are one of the cruelest methods of killing animals. “Pieces of cardboard or plastic are coated with an adhesive that ensnares any animal that walks or alights on it. Patches of skin, fur and feathers are ripped off as the trapped animals struggle to get free and it can take days for them to die,” Mist said.
She added that the two little wagtails were in a terrible state as they were covered in sticky glue with huge patches of exposed skin from their struggles to escape as well as their rescuer’s attempts to free them.
“Only their heads were unscathed,” she said.
“The biggest killer in these cases is stress, so, once we had got them home we did nothing. We gave them rescue tabs, something for pain and bruising, a quiet dark place, mealworms and we then left them. A few check-up peeks were made until the next day as our patients were eating well. Only on day three did we make the first attempt at treatment.”
As part of the treatment, Mist said the birds were covered in sunflower seed oil and were left for another three days. “Sadly, at the end of this period, one of the birds died, but the remaining bird was gently bathed in washing liquid and we were thrilled to see that just about all the glue had come off. Another wash two days later in baby shampoo removed the remaining bits and pieces and we were left with a clean wagtail who really needed some feathers,” she said.
Mist concluded that over the following few weeks they watched as Waggie, as the bird was named, with the help of good food, vitamins and sunlight grew back his feathers. “On 17 May he went into a pre-release aviary with that famous tail almost fully grown back,” she said.
“Glue traps are illegal in the country. If you see anyone selling or using them please report it to the NSPCA.”
Details: www.friendsoffreewildlife.co.za
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