Can snare removal safeguard protected areas caught in the Southeast Asian snaring crisis? Promises and perspectives

Abstract

AbstractUnsustainable snaring is causing biodiversity declines across tropical protected areas, resulting in species extinctions and jeopardizing the health of forest ecosystems. Here, we used 11 years of ranger collected data to assess the impact of intensive snare removal in two protected areas in Viet Nam. Snare removal resulted in significant declines in snare occupancy (36.9, 95% BCI [4.6, 59.0] reduction in percent area occupied), but snaring levels nonetheless remained high (31.4, [23.6, 40.8] percent area occupied), and came with a substantial financial cost. Our results indicate that snare removal remains an important component of efforts to protect tropical protected areas, but by itself, is likely insufficient to address this threat. To achieve the target of zero snaring in protected areas, a multifaceted approach will be necessary that combines short-term reactive snare removal with long-term proactive programs that address the underlying drivers behind snaring.