An implant retention trocar includes a cannula for puncturing the skin of an animal and an obturator for delivering the implant beneath the skin of the animal. The implant retention trocar has a cannula distal tip design which causes a minimum of trauma and tearing of tissue during implant insertion. A spring element received within the cannula prevents an implant which is to be inserted into an animal from falling out of the cannula during the implant insertion process. The spring element includes a longitudinal leg which is folded with a zigzag-shaped bend. When the spring element is inserted into the cannula, the zigzag-shaped bend of the longitudinal leg retains the implant within the cannula.