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From prehistoric hunting to modern trapping: How did humans invent traps?
Hunting is an integral part of human history. Since ancient times, hunters have used various traps to catch animals. These traps are not only used to obtain food, but also have multiple roles such as controlling rodent pests and managing wild animals. This article will review the history and evolution of the trap and explore its importance in modern society.
Human hunting behavior can be traced back to the Neolithic Age, when hunters used simple traps to catch prey.
Historical Evolution
Neolithic hunters, including members of the Cucuteni-Trypillian culture (c. 5500 to 2750 BCE) in Romania and Ukraine, already used traps to capture prey. In literature, there is a related description as early as the 4th century BC in "Zhuangzi", which mentioned that "the sleek fox and the elegant leopard... seem unable to escape the disaster of nets and snares." The modern steel claw trap was first recorded in Western documents in the late 16th century.
The hunting techniques have been evolving with the advancement of science and technology. In the 19th century, William C. Hooker patented a mouse-catching device in 1894. At the same time, the purposes of hunting have diversified to include food, fur, sport hunting, pest control and wildlife management.
"Many environmental groups filed a petition for the protection of the Canada lynx in 1991 because hunting posed a threat to its population."
The multiple purposes of hunting animals
Fur and food trade
During the early years of North American colonization, the fur trade became an important economic activity between the Dutch, French, and British and the indigenous peoples. A lot of trade took place in the Hudson River Valley, and the demand for hunters rose. Over time, the controversy over hunting has intensified, especially overhunting of some species, such as the Canada lynx, which has caused its population to plummet. In the early 1990s, the Canada lynx became protected under the Endangered Species Act.
Perfume and Medicine
The glands of mink play an important role in perfume making, and the Ontario government subsidizes mink hunters, purchasing their glands for $10 to $40 per pound. As early as the 1900s, otter glands were used to make perfume, or women simply crushed the glands for use.
Pest Control
Traps also play an important role in pest control. For example, animals such as badgers, coyotes, raccoons, and tigers are often captured to reduce damage to human settlements and crops. With the advancement of trap technology, many traps have begun to replace traditional pesticides and reduce the burden on the environment.
"Biologist Jon Wei told us that ecological studies abroad have shown that capturing certain animals may have unexpected effects on the ecosystem."
Diversification of modern traps
Modern animal traps come in many varieties, including foot traps, body pressure traps, cables, dead traps, cages, and glue traps. Each trap is designed for a specific prey species, and advances in strategy and technology are making their capture more efficient and humane. Especially for foot traps, although they are banned in many countries due to their cruelty, there are still many improved designs, such as soft release and protective inserts with enhanced protection devices, which aim to reduce the pain of animals during the capture process.
The controversy over hunting and future challenges
While hunting plays an integral role in agriculture, environmental protection and wildlife management, its humanity remains controversial. Many animal protectionists have expressed strong opposition to the use of various types of animal traps. According to estimates by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, hundreds of pets have died from being accidentally caught in traps, which has also triggered heated discussions in society about trapping techniques.
"Various animal protection organizations continue to lobby for stricter control over the use of traps to protect the survival rights of animals."
In this era of technological advancement, whether animal hunting can coexist with humane standards has become a question that requires careful consideration?
