Weka loses foot in leg-hold trap for possumsSUPPLIED A weka is treated by a vet after losing its leg in a leg-hold trap used to catch possums. The weka was discovered by a member of the public with its left leg "virtually severed" after stepping on a leg-hold trap used to trap pest animals such as possums. STUFF Animal Control team leader Jason McMillan displays a leg-hold trap like the one that caught a weka near Havelock last month. Weka often did not survive after getting caught in leg-hold traps, however this weka was lucky on this occasion, Clerke said. Catching weka in leg-hold traps was an offence under the Wildlife Act 1953 of hunting absolutely protected wildlife, when procedures weren't followed correctly.

Source: Stuff March 05, 2018 03:56 UTC