Considerations for furbearer trapping regulations to prevent grizzly bear toe amputation and injury

Under the North American Model of wildlife Conservation, managers are encouraged to update management approaches when new information arises whose implementation could improve viability populations and well-being animals. Here we detail an observation several grizzly bears with amputated toes in southeast British Columbia between 2016-2020 assemble evidence inform strategies remedy issue. During capture 59 bears, 4 individuals (~7%) had on one their front feet. The wounds were all healed linear nature. Further opportunistic record collection revealed that similar examples occurred beyond our study area neighboring mountain ranges internationally. We found seasonal overlap active season for fall trapping seasons—for small furbearers body-gripping traps wolves foothold traps—were frequently responsible toe amputation. Photo suggested main trap type associated Multiple options reduce or eliminate incidental amputation bear exist, have varying degrees expected efficacy require differing levels monitoring. One option is delay start marten until December 1, most denned, instead opening prior November more than 50% still active. An alternative solution, such as a license condition requests trappers narrow trap-box entrances exclude feet while allowing entrance target furbearers, has potential minimize accidental but effectiveness this approach unknown. Finally, experimental extraction trials better anchoring was not viable solution given adult only came free from 20% time under maximum human force. At least 230 kg pull required consistently traps, which will be able produce unless cable long allows running start. Solutions do involve changes monitoring compliance ensure success.