WHEREAS, several bills were introduced in the 94th Congress to discourage the use of painful devices in the trapping of birds and mammals; and
WHEREAS, no humane person wishes to see unnecessary pain inflicted upon wild animals during capture or harvest; and
WHEREAS, most wild animals die through some slow or painful process brought about by disease, injury, or predation; and
WHEREAS, painless methods of capture or harvest if improperly used may be no improvement; and
WHEREAS, collection of animal specimens by scientists is done by trained persons, in limited numbers for specific purposes;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the American Society of Mammalogists requests all Congressional Committees that might review future anti-trap legislation to make provisions for the use by scientists of the procurement techniques necessary for them to carry out their research.