Tragic End for Robins Stuck on Horrific Glue Trap
Two robins were rushed to RSPCA North Wiltshire’s Oak and Furrows Wildlife Rescue Centre after being found trapped in Lydiard Millicent, Swindon. The birds were agonisingly stuck fast on a glue trap – a cruel pest control device.
Wildlife Rescue Fails to Save Sticky Victims
Anj Saunders from the specialist centre near Cricklade explained the desperate rescue efforts: “We managed to get them off the trap using coconut oil and butter, and tried our best to remove the sticky glue from their feathers.”
Sadly, despite all efforts, both robins died due to the severe trauma and suffering caused by the traps. Saunders condemned the devices as “hideous traps” that “cause horrendous suffering” and often lead to “slow and painful deaths.”
RSPCA Slams Glue Traps as Inhumane and Illegal for Birds
The RSPCA opposes all glue traps, also known as “glue boards” or “sticky boards,” calling them “unacceptable” because they catch not only rodents but also unintended wildlife like birds. Although legal for rats and mice, using glue traps on wild birds is illegal under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.
Humane Rodent Control: Here’s What You Should Do
- Remove food sources by securing bins and containers
- Plant rodent repellents such as wood hyacinth, allium, and daffodils
- Keep storage areas tidy and clutter-free
The RSPCA urges people to ditch glue traps and choose humane deterrents instead to stop needless suffering.
Help RSPCA Stop Glue Trap Sales to the Public
The charity’s “Wild Animals and Glue Traps” campaign demands that glue traps be sold only to trained professionals. If you see these traps on sale in shops, email [email protected] with:
- Name and address of the store (with postcode)
- Manager or owner details, if known
- Date you saw the traps for sale
The RSPCA then contacts retailers to remove glue traps from shelves and stop restocking, preventing more wildlife suffering. The campaign has already seen many stores pull these nasty devices.
To report an animal caught in a glue trap, call the RSPCA cruelty line on 0300 1234 999.
