The Silent Killer: When African Wildlife Walks Into a Snare
- Craig Mitchell
- 1 hour ago
- 5 min read
There are few things more heartbreaking than seeing a wild animal caught in a snare.
One minute it is moving through the bush as it has done for generations. The next, a wire or cable tightens around its leg, neck or body, turning an ordinary game trail into a potential death trap.
Snares are one of the most indiscriminate forms of wildlife poaching. They don't care whether the animal walking past is a tiny duiker, a bushbuck, a monkey, a leopard or another species simply moving through the bush.
And that's what makes them such a serious conservation problem.
A Trap That Doesn't Discriminate
A snare is essentially a noose designed to catch an animal as it moves along a wildlife path.
The problem is that the person setting the snare doesn't know exactly what will walk into it.
A trap intended for one species can catch something completely different. South Africa's national snare mitigation work has highlighted that animals ranging from antelope to predators can become victims, with carnivores particularly vulnerable in some areas.
Once caught, an animal may struggle desperately to escape. Some eventually die from their injuries, exhaustion, dehydration or starvation.
Others are discovered in time and may require intensive veterinary treatment and rehabilitation.
Either way, it is a brutal reminder that wildlife conservation isn't only about protecting the famous animals we see on safari.
Sometimes it's about protecting the small animals quietly moving through the bush beneath our feet.
The Problem Is Closer Than Many People Think
When we hear the word poaching, many of us immediately picture a remote African wilderness or a high-profile species such as rhino or elephant.
But snaring can happen surprisingly close to towns and cities.
Here in KwaZulu-Natal, volunteer groups have been working in greenbelts, conservancies, coastal forests and game areas to find and remove snares.
Snare Aware, a volunteer-run NPO operating in KZN, has been doing exactly that since 2020. The organisation was established to help sweep areas for snares and remove these traps before they claim another victim.
The scale of the problem can be staggering.
In 2024, more than 700 snares were reportedly found between Umdloti and Sheffield Beach, an increase from the previous year. During some operations, volunteers have discovered multiple animals that had already died.
This isn't some distant conservation problem.
It's happening in our own backyard.
The Animals We Don't Always Notice
The tragedy of snaring is that some of its victims aren't the animals that make the headlines.
Blue duiker, bushbuck, bushpig, porcupine, mongoose, monkeys and other smaller species can all become trapped.
These animals play important roles in healthy ecosystems, from seed dispersal to controlling insect and plant populations.
And when snares are placed along established wildlife paths, virtually anything using that route can become a victim.
The national conversation around snaring has also highlighted the fact that predators such as leopard, lion and hyena can be caught as by-catch in snares originally set for other animals.
That's the frightening part.
There is no guarantee what will be caught.
The People Fighting Back
Thankfully, there are people who refuse to simply walk past the problem.
Small conservation organisations and volunteer groups are often doing the hard, dirty work that doesn't necessarily make headlines.
They walk through bush, greenbelts and wildlife areas looking for signs of human activity and carefully removing snares.
It is physically demanding work, and it can also be dangerous.
Groups like Snare Aware are an excellent example of what can happen when ordinary people decide that protecting their local wildlife is worth giving up their weekends and spare time for.
At KhakiBush, we believe these smaller organisations deserve our attention and support.
They may not have massive budgets or fleets of vehicles, but they can make a real difference on the ground.
What Can We Do?
The first step is simply to become snare aware.
If you're walking, hiking, birding, cycling or exploring a natural area, keep an eye out for signs of snares or suspicious activity.
But don't put yourself in danger or confront anyone you suspect of poaching.
If you find a snare, record the location if it is safe to do so and report it to the appropriate conservation or wildlife authorities. Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife specifically encourages the public to report snares, traps and other environmental crimes while avoiding confrontation or entering an active crime scene.
And perhaps most importantly, support the people already doing something about it.
Support the Small Conservation NPOs
Conservation isn't only about the big organisations.
Across South Africa there are small NPOs, volunteer groups, wildlife rehabilitators and passionate individuals quietly getting stuck in every day.
They need equipment, fuel, veterinary support, training, volunteers and funding.
If you're in KwaZulu-Natal, take a look at the work being done by Snare Aware and consider supporting them, sharing their message or getting involved where appropriate.
You can find them on Facebook – Snare Aware.
And if you are involved in conservation elsewhere in South Africa, support the small organisations operating in your own area.
A few hundred rand, a donation of equipment, a tank of fuel or simply sharing their work can all help.
Conservation Starts on Our Doorstep
We often talk about saving Africa's wildlife as though conservation is something that happens somewhere far away.
It isn't.
It's happening in our forests, wetlands, farms, greenbelts and reserves.
It's happening because people care enough to get up early, walk through the bush and remove a piece of wire that could otherwise kill an animal.
The fight against snaring is not going to be solved by one organisation or one government department. South Africa's national snare mitigation initiatives recognise that collaboration, community involvement, law enforcement, education and addressing the underlying causes all have a role to play.
But we can all play a small part.
Become aware. Speak up. Support the people doing the work. And never underestimate the difference a small conservation organisation can make.
Because somewhere in that bush, there is an animal that simply wants to live.
And sometimes, saving it starts with removing one small piece of wire.
This article is written by Craig Mitchell, KhakiBush Magazine editor, conservationist, guide, adventurer, photographer and explorer. Craig personally guides safari and adventure expeditions, sharing his passion for Africa's wild places through authentic wildlife encounters, remote landscapes, and unforgettable experiences
Keywords: African animals caught in snares, wildlife snares South Africa, snaring in South Africa, KZN snaring, Snare Aware, wildlife conservation KZN, African wildlife conservation, anti-poaching South Africa, animal snares, wildlife poaching, KwaZulu-Natal conservation, African wildlife, conservation NPOs South Africa
