Once again a federal judge has ruled that Minnesota must take added steps to protect against the “incidental” trapping of Canada lynx, an Endangered Species Act protected species. The Duluth News Tribune reports the following changes.
* Ban conibear body-gripping traps between 5 and 7.5 inches wide unless in water or elevated.
* Ban the use of fresh meat as bait in traps.
* Restrict snare cable diameters to larger than 5/64ths of an inch for on-land traps, and snare loops must be at least 8 inches in diameter.
* Leg-hold traps must be securely staked with chains or cables no longer than 18 inches and include swivels so caught animals can’t escape with the trap or be severely injured.
* The DNR must report all trapped lynx to the plaintiffs, the Animal Protection Institute and Center for Biological Diversity, as well as the federal government.
Tom Remington
