Reforming USDA Wildlife Services · (sodium cyanide, Compound 1080 and sodium nitrate), traps and...

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Reforming USDA Wildlife Services Maggie Brasted Wildlife Abuse Campaign Manager [email protected]

Transcript of Reforming USDA Wildlife Services · (sodium cyanide, Compound 1080 and sodium nitrate), traps and...

Page 1: Reforming USDA Wildlife Services · (sodium cyanide, Compound 1080 and sodium nitrate), traps and snares. It shoots them from airplanes and helicopters. This WS photo shows 3 trapped

Reforming USDA Wildlife Services

Maggie Brasted Wildlife Abuse Campaign Manager

[email protected]

Page 2: Reforming USDA Wildlife Services · (sodium cyanide, Compound 1080 and sodium nitrate), traps and snares. It shoots them from airplanes and helicopters. This WS photo shows 3 trapped

What is USDA Wildlife Services?

•  A little known federal government program, in existence since the late 1890s, that kills millions of animals each year.

•  It kills over 100,000 native carnivores like bears, bobcats, coyotes and wolves for the livestock industry each year.

•  In cities, Wildlife Services conducts goose “round ups” and gasses tens of thousands of them.

•  Most of its funds come from taxes—from all levels of government.

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What animals does Wildlife Services kill?

•  It kills over 300 species each year, from albatrosses to woodpeckers. The list includes birds, (snowy owls, black birds, and vultures), mammalian carnivores (wolves, bears, cougars, bobcats, raccoons, river otters and pet dogs), reptiles (alligators, lizards, and iguanas) and many more.

•  In 2013, the death toll was 4.4 million animals

http://www.aphis.usda.gov/wildlife_damage/prog_data/2013/G/Tables/Table%20G_ShortReport.pdf

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How does Wildlife Services kill?

L to R: sodium cyanide M-44; aerial-gunning helicopter (wolf); “denning” hook (coyote); and leg-hold trap (coyote).

Wildlife Services uses a variety of poisons, traps and snares. It shoots. It kills pups in or at dens. It gasses geese.

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How does Wildlife Services kill coyotes?

In 2013, Wildlife Services killed 75,326 coyotes, and destroyed 366 dens (containing coyote pups). Wildlife Services kills coyotes using various poisons (sodium cyanide, Compound 1080 and sodium nitrate), traps and snares. It shoots them from airplanes and helicopters. This WS photo shows 3 trapped coyotes. The trapper turned his dogs on one.

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. In 2013, Wildlife Services killed over 25,000 Canada geese. It gathers geese while they are molting and cannot fly. Wildlife Services gasses or ships them to slaughter, claiming that geese “pose a year round hazard to aviation.” But many object to their feces, probably the real reason they are killed.

What is a Goose Round Up?

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Where does the program’s money come from?

•  Wildlife Services’ 2013 budget equaled $116 million •  Federal appropriations, $36 million •  Other agencies’ (i.e.,Forest Service and Defense Dept.) federal

appropriations, $21.2 million •  The remainder, $58.8 million, from “cooperators,” that is, their

customers: •  In the West, 60% of its customer funding comes from counties

and cities •  States fund Wildlife Services too •  Private funds from corporations, individuals, cattle and sheep

organizations, and even hunting groups

http://www.aphis.usda.gov/wildlife_damage/prog_data/2013/A/Tables/PDR_Table_A.pdf

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How can District Leaders reform Wildlife Services?

•  District Leaders work with Maggie Brasted [email protected]. Wendy Keefover will be on hand to support work related to native carnivores [email protected].

•  With guidance, District Leaders: •  Call upon city managers or county administrators to determine if the

county or city contracts with Wildlife Services •  Obtain Wildlife Services’ contracts with the city and counties and

any work reports (and send to Maggie). •  Educate local officials and the public about using non-lethal solutions

instead of killing. •  Make a formal request to government officials to use non-lethal

solutions to resolves wildlife conflicts, or cancel contracts with Wildlife Services. (Changing or revoking contracts may require a vote of the council or board.)

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District Leaders end the cruelty!