A Wildlife Article from All-Creatures.org

Canada Bans Wildlife-killing Strychnine

From AnimalJustice.ca
March 2024

Strychnine doesn’t just kill animals targeted by farmers—companion dogs, birds of prey, and endangered species are also victimized. These animals suffer and die after eating poison bait, or from consuming the bodies of other poisoned animals.

Canada just banned using strychnine poison to kill wild animals.

Wolves, coyotes, and black bears—these are iconic animals that embody the spirit of our pristine Canadian wilderness. Tragically, they are also targeted by some farmers—harassed and killed because they are considered a nuisance. They hunt and scavenge to survive, playing an important role in our natural ecosystem, but for this they are villainized.

Imagine a majestic wolf coming across bait laced with strychnine and unknowingly consuming the poison that would lead to her painful death. Before long, her body will start to twitch and stiffen. Her muscles will clench, and breathing will become difficult. The onset of the poison is rapid, but the death can be slow, with 24 hours of agonizing convulsions and laboured breathing. Eventually, she will die of exhaustion or suffocation.

Strychnine doesn’t just kill animals targeted by farmers—companion dogs, birds of prey, and endangered species are also victimized. These animals suffer and die after eating poison bait, or from consuming the bodies of other poisoned animals.

Strychnine is notorious for causing extreme suffering. But thanks to you, countless innocent animals will be spared one of the most brutal deaths imaginable. Thousands of you wrote to Health Canada, demanding that this cruel poison be outlawed. After a years-long campaign by Animal Justice and partner groups, we’ve finally won this fight!

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