Snares are one of the biggest threats facing wildlife across Africa.
Silent, cheap, and almost invisible, these wire traps are responsible for the suffering and death of millions of animals every year.
Made from wire or steel cable, snares are easy to set and extremely hard to detect. They are placed along game trails, near water sources, and in dense vegetation. Antelope, warthogs, predators, birds, and even elephants can become victims. Snares do not discriminate — endangered species and non-target animals are caught just as easily as those intended.
Once trapped, an animal may struggle for hours or even days. As it fights to escape, the wire tightens around its leg, neck, or body, cutting into flesh and bone. Many animals die slowly from dehydration, starvation, blood loss, or infection. Those that escape often carry lifelong injuries that prevent them from feeding, moving, or reproducing properly.
