Shortening an Animal’s Suffering

One of the new-technology traps being tested in Canada is the C-120 Magnum, a single-strike rotating jaw trap with pitchfork trigger.

To lure martens, bait is stuck on a pitchfork-like prongs at the center. When the trigger is jostled by an animal, metal bars spring into action and crush the animal’s neck or chest.

Researchers are working to increase the power of the springs and to configure the trigger and striking bars in the best way to maximize the chances that the bars will hit a vital location and kill an animal quickly rather than leaving it wounded and suffering a slow death.