Target: Martin Gruber, Provincial Councillor for Hunting, Carinthian Provincial Government, Klagenfurt, Austria
Goal: Ban kill traps that crush otters and also catch pets and protected wildlife.
Beneath the dark water of Carinthia’s rivers, a trap waits. Conibear devices are designed to crush the bodies of wildlife. The winter “otter ordinance” again permits their use against native otters. Environmental groups have launched formal cross-border legal challenges.
Conservationists argue that the traps cause indiscriminate, prolonged agony. They say the devices frequently catch non-target domestic pets and protected wildlife. The Council of Europe has treated the regional trapping laws as an open, non-compliant case since late 2025. It has rebuked local ministries for failing to ban the mechanisms. State authorities still insist on keeping the trapping window open until 2027. Animal rights lawyers have filed emergency injunctions to halt the devices.
No animal should die slowly in a steel jaw. No family’s dog should risk the same fate. Regional leaders have heard the warnings from Europe and from conservationists. Every day of delay means more potential suffering this winter. Sign this petition and demand an immediate ban.
PETITION LETTER:
Dear Councillor Gruber,
We are writing about the Conibear kill traps that the winter otter ordinance again permits in Carinthia. These devices are designed to crush the bodies of wildlife. Conservationists say they cause prolonged agony and frequently trap pets and protected animals.
The Council of Europe has treated Carinthia’s trapping laws as an open, non-compliant case since late 2025. It has criticized local ministries for failing to ban these mechanisms. Even so, authorities insist on maintaining the trapping window until 2027. Animal rights lawyers have now filed emergency injunctions. The dispute need not reach that point.
We urge you to ban the use of Conibear traps immediately, without waiting for courts to compel you. We also urge you to protect native otters from methods that experts condemn as inhumane. Wildlife and household pets share the same riverbanks. Responsible hunting policy must account for both. Carinthia can show that it listens. Thank you for acting.
Sincerely,
[Your Name Here]
Photo credit: Manfred Werner – Tsui
