Washington, D.C. — Animal Advocates of Western New York and Born Free USA have joined forces on a new billboard campaign to educate the public about animal welfare, wildlife conservation, and animal traps. The new billboard, “RAISE YOUR HAND IF YOU ARE AGAINST TRAPPING,” went up this week on Route 20 at Big Tree Road in Hamburg, New York.[teaserbreak]
Thousands of wild animals are targeted by trappers each year in New York state. Accidental victims of the traps are not only wildlife species, including birds, but also animals such as dogs and cats. Trapping is often hidden from the public and many people are not aware of the realities and dangers. This billboard is a way to call attention to the suffering that trapped animals endure.
According to Adam M. Roberts, CEO of Born Free USA and the Born Free Foundation, “Traps are dangerous and nonselective. We have seen time and time again what happens when people set these traps for wild animals. They catch, maim, torture, and kill not only wild animals like coyotes, fox, raccoons, and mink, but also domestic animals—people’s companions, their beloved dogs and cats. Trapping is truly indiscriminate and barbaric. I continue to be mystified as to how America allows this to happen.”
The new billboard, which can be viewed at www.bornfreeusa.org/traps, will shine a spotlight on the issue.
In addition, Born Free USA and Animal Advocates of Western New York hope the billboard will help to educate the public that trapping is not the way to deal with wildlife. There are many effective ways to humanely co-exist with wildlife.
The first step in reducing human/wildlife conflicts is prevention and education. Wild animals are attracted to an area by food and shelter. Using lethal methods to remove an animal without removing the attractants can result in other animals moving in. This is not the solution. Lethal control can actually increase their populations. For example, several studies have shown that killing coyotes can disrupt their social structure, which results in more coyotes reproducing and having larger litters.
Born Free USA encourages a peaceful co-existence with wildlife with a few basic rules and tips: www.coexistingwithwildlife.org.
Born Free USA is a global leader in animal welfare and wildlife conservation. Through litigation, legislation, and public education, Born Free USA leads vital campaigns against animals in entertainment, exotic “pets,” trapping and fur, and the destructive international wildlife trade. Born Free USA brings to America the message of “compassionate conservation”—the vision of the U.K.-based Born Free Foundation, established in 1984 by Bill Travers and Virginia McKenna, stars of the iconic film Born Free, along with their son Will Travers. Born Free’s mission is to end suffering of wild animals in captivity, conserve threatened and endangered species, and encourage compassionate conservation globally. More at www.bornfreeusa.org, www.twitter.com/bornfreeusa, and www.facebook.com/bornfreeusa.
Media Contact: Rodi Rosensweig, 203/270-8929, therodicompany@gmail.com