After litigation from Guardians and allies, federal wildlife-killing program Wildlife Services has agreed to temporarily cease the use of its most controversial killing tools in Colorado and parts of California.
In Colorado, Wildlife Services cannot use or fund the use of M-44 cyanide bombs on Colorado public lands, nor can it participate in Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW)’s highly controversial plans to kill large numbers of black bears and mountain lions, until it completes a new environmental assessment by August 1, 2018. CPW planned for Wildlife Services to deploy traps and snares to capture mountain lions and bears, which would then be shot to death; CPW would “study” the effects of these killings on mule deer populations.
In Northern California, Wildlife Services must analyze the environmental impacts of its killing of coyotes, bobcats, and other wildlife by the end of 2023. In the meantime, it cannot use cyanide bombs, den fumigants, and lead ammunition. Aerial gunning and body-gripping traps are likewise outlawed in designated wilderness areas. Lastly, Wildlife Services must implement several measures to protect California’s endangered gray wolves from being accidentally killed in traps set for other carnivores.
Thousands of animals now have a much-needed reprieve from Wildlife Services’ cruel and indiscriminate killing methods. Slowly but surely we’re dragging this evil program into the light.
Read the press release – Colorado
Read the press release – California
