Cactus Wren
This Cactus Wren—Arizona’s state bird—was found stuck to a glue trap. When she arrived at Tucson Wildlife Center, her feathers and delicate skin were covered in sticky adhesive. Removing glue is a painstaking process that often results in feather loss, and this little wren endured just that. Naturally curious and bold, Cactus Wrens love investigating their surroundings—unfortunately, that same curiosity can lead them straight onto glue traps.
After three weeks of intensive care by our wildlife team, her skin is healing, and her feathers are starting to regrow. She has now been moved to one of our outdoor aviaries, where she can reacclimate to Tucson’s heat and exercise her flight muscles—vital steps toward being released back into the wild.
Other animals may not be so lucky. Glue traps might seem like a simple solution to pest problems, but they are among the cruelest. These super-sticky boards catch anything that touches them, including non-target wildlife and pets. Most animals caught this way, even if rescued, suffer significant trauma and injury. And for those not rescued, glue traps make for an inhumane, painful, and slow death as the animal typically dies of suffocation or dehydration and exhaustion as it struggles to escape. Some will even bite through their limbs to free themselves.
There are safer options. Instead of glue traps, TWC recommends using safe and humane alternatives such as Havahart catch-and-release traps. If you find an animal that has been caught by a glue trap, do not attempt to remove the animal from the trap yourself. Removing an animal from these traps is a delicate procedure and can easily cause more injury. For the best chance of the animal’s survival, call Tucson Wildlife Center. Medical treatment is almost always needed once the animal is free of the trap. If you would like to help patients like this Cactus Wren, click this link to donate,
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