U.S. Department of Agriculture: Stop Killing Wildlife

Posted to WildEarth Guardians
Feb 8

To: Chellie Pingree (D-ME), U.S. House of Representatives and Agricultural Appropriations Committee; Tom Vilsack, Secretary of Agriculture

The Wildlife Services agency, a branch of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, indiscriminately kills hundreds of thousands of wild animals. We urge Congress to put an end to these needless deaths by stopping all funding to the Wildlife Services agency. Currently, Wildlife Services lacks...

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This petition closed on May 10, 2013.

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Every year hundreds of thousands of our nation's most majestic animals (wolves, coyotes, grizzly bears, mountain lions, and others) are being poisoned, trapped and gunned down by the government. These wild native carnivores play an important roles in their ecosystems and should be protected. Biologists, economists, and federal oversight agencies have all criticized the efficacy of Wildlife Services' practices of emphasizing extermination of animals over practical non-lethal solutions.

Few taxpayers realize that we help fund an agency called "Wildlife Services", a branch of the U.S. Department of Agriculture that wages a dirty war on America's wildlife. Between 2004 and 2011, Wildlife Services killed over 26 million animals purportedly to "protect" agribusiness or "bolster" hunting opportunities – a contention based on unsupported myths. The agency spends over $100 million each year on wildlife-killing actions and is unnecessary because very few domestic livestock are actually killed by native carnivores such as coyotes and wolves. Most livestock die from illness, weather, and birthing problems, but not from predation. In fact, of the total cattle inventory in the United States, less than 1% die from predation. Wildlife Services remains out of sync with most Americans' view of sustainable and responsible wildlife management in the 21st Century.

Wildlife Services' operations and methods are unnecessarily cruel and do not discriminate between species. Poisons and traps deliver pain and stress to countless numbers of animals each year. Also, poisons set out for coyotes, for example, could kill pet dogs or even federally-protected species such as grizzly bears or California condors.

We're spreading the message that we need to co-exist, not kill these beautiful animals. We're asking Congress to defund this rogue and cruel agency.

More Information:

Sacramento Bee: "The killing agency: Wildlife Services' brutal methods leave a trail of animal death"
Sacramento Bee: "Wildlife Services Needs a Tight Leash" May 6, 2012
Albuquerque Journal: "Slaughter of Coyotes an Abomination Against Nature" November 15, 2012"
New York Times: "Public Role in Species Protection" August 29, 2012
Sacramento Bee: "Put Pressure on Wildlife Services" May 27, 2012

Update #11

Posted by Lori Colt (Campaign Leader) on May 6

In 2011, the USDA's wildlife killing agency, "Wildlife Services," snuffed out 365 wolves. At least, that's what they reported.

We say reported, because we learned that in some cases the agents shoot first, and then identify the endangered species they kill afterwards, as in the shooting death of a highly-endangered Mexican wolf. In January, a Wildlife Services agent shot a Mexican wolf, but claimed that a he "thought" he killed a coyote in New Mexico.

In April, the Albuquerqu... …
In 2011, the USDA's wildlife killing agency, "Wildlife Services," snuffed out 365 wolves. At least, that's what they reported.

We say reported, because we learned that in some cases the agents shoot first, and then identify the endangered species they kill afterwards, as in the shooting death of a highly-endangered Mexican wolf. In January, a Wildlife Services agent shot a Mexican wolf, but claimed that a he "thought" he killed a coyote in New Mexico.

In April, the Albuquerque Journal, not the agency, broke the news of the Mexican wolf shooting to the public. Wildlife Services likes to hide important information about what it does from the public—even though it's our money and our wildlife!

Last year, Wildlife Services claimed that the Fox Mountain Mexican wolf pack killed six cows, and used its faulty schoolyard forensics "evidence" to get a sister agency, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, to issue an order for the lethal removal of the pack's mother. In the end, because of a huge public outcry—all the way to the steps of the White House—the feds determined not to kill the wolf mother. Instead, she was trapped and incarcerated for life. It marked a horrible outcome for her, her life-long mate and wolf pups—not to mention being a complete step backwards for this dwindling species.

In the case of the Fox Mountain wolf pack, WildEarth Guardians requested the government's records. What we received were 700 pages of blackened-out records and no clear evidence to support the claims that six cattle were killed by this wolf pack. We have since asked Congressman Jared Polis to help us get those records . . . and we're still waiting, even with his help.

The list goes on and on. Most American taxpayers want to see an end to the tax-payer-funded, wildlife bloodshed, but the agency remains funded and continues to kill wolves, bears, eagles, and cougars—even while many Americans are suffering during hard economic times.

We say it is time to end the funding for the government's war on wildlife. Join us and add your name to our letter that will be sent to Washington, D.C. on May 10th. Then, take your support a step further by sharing the truth about this rogue agency with your friends and family. Lastly, please make a donation to our end the war on wildlife campaign.

Thank you for being a force for nature.
Update #10

Posted by Lori Colt (Campaign Leader) on Apr 29

The USDA's unsuitably-named, wildlife-killing agency, "Wildlife Services", eradicated nearly 1,600 black and turkey vultures in 2011. Why?

According to the USDA's website, vultures are killed for roosting on buildings, vehicles, and even pool covers. They're snuffed out because they are seen as a threat to ranchers and livestock. Slaughtered for living on communication towers, vultures get exterminated just for being vultures. And this comes despite dramatic decreases in... …
The USDA's unsuitably-named, wildlife-killing agency, "Wildlife Services", eradicated nearly 1,600 black and turkey vultures in 2011. Why?

According to the USDA's website, vultures are killed for roosting on buildings, vehicles, and even pool covers. They're snuffed out because they are seen as a threat to ranchers and livestock. Slaughtered for living on communication towers, vultures get exterminated just for being vultures. And this comes despite dramatic decreases in their populations in recent years because of pesticides and other forms of persecution because they are misunderstood.

Black vultures, turkey vultures, and the very endangered California condors, are native to North America. As scavengers, vultures, also known as buzzards, play an important role in the ecosystem by feasting on dead animals. Natural garbage collectors, vultures clean up the environment and help prevent the spread of disease. Ironically, vultures even stop diseases like anthrax, which can threaten domestic livestock.

Not everyone sees vultures as a creepy harbingers of death—many cultures revere them as sacred because of their carrion- eating roles. Tibetan Buddhists practice "sky burials," where animals, usually vultures, devour their dead. Similarly, Zoroastrians offer their dead to be consumed by vultures on a raised platform, called a dakhma. They regard vultures as precious animals that release the soul from the body.

Vulture killings and conflicts are not isolated to the United States—the loss and killing of vultures is an international issue that raises profound disease-transmission concerns. Learn more about vultures by watching this great Ted Talk by Munir Virani, who is a raptor biologist, and the director of the Peregrine Fund Africa Program.

Sign our letter to Chellie Pingree, the U.S. Representative who sits on the Agricultural Appropriations Committee, and to Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack, asking that taxpayer-funded, wildlife extermination cease. Let's end the government's war on wildlife.
Update #9

Posted by Lori Colt (Campaign Leader) on Apr 22

Imagine your only crime is wandering through a forest looking for a meal after a long winter's nap. For nearly 600 black bears in 2011, their lives were ended by the USDA's Wildlife Services for filling their hungry bellies. It's a travesty as much as it is unconscionable, and taxpayers funded much of the killing.

Black bear habitat is disappearing due to unprecedented rates of suburban and urban growth. Because of habitat loss, bears increasingly find themselves in ex-urban areas resulting... …
Imagine your only crime is wandering through a forest looking for a meal after a long winter's nap. For nearly 600 black bears in 2011, their lives were ended by the USDA's Wildlife Services for filling their hungry bellies. It's a travesty as much as it is unconscionable, and taxpayers funded much of the killing.

Black bear habitat is disappearing due to unprecedented rates of suburban and urban growth. Because of habitat loss, bears increasingly find themselves in ex-urban areas resulting in conflicts with humans and high levels of mortality. Roads spider-webbing into once pristine habitat makes it easier for hunters and poachers to kill bears, and roads increase the opportunity for vehicle-bear collisions. A shift in global temperatures may especially affect hibernating species such as black bears.

Black bears, the third largest carnivore in North America (behind grizzly and polar bears), survive mainly on plant materials. Black bears prefer forest habitat for forage and movement. They disperse seed and nutrients and create biological diversity by creating small-scale disturbances that open up the forest canopy.

In arid climates such as Colorado, Nevada, Arizona, and New Mexico, bears are slow to add new members to their populations, and are vulnerable to human over-exploitation. A Colorado study showed the females do not breed until they are almost five years of age, and the birth interval comes every two years-depending on sufficient food availability. Random events such as food failures, droughts, or late frosts can decrease forage and increase human-bear conflicts leading to bear mortalities. Winter can add further stresses. Because black bears are not resilient due to their slow reproduction rates, they are seriously affected by habitat loss, negative encounters with humans, and overkill.

Bottom-line, black bears matter, black bears are an essential part of the ecosystem, black bears should not be trapped, hounded and shot, or otherwise killed with your tax dollars. Please add your name to our pledge and ask that the Agricultural Appropriations Committee and the Secretary of Agriculture stop killing off our wildlife.

Take your support a step further and donate to our End the War on Wildlife Campaign.
Update #8

Posted by Lori Colt (Campaign Leader) on Apr 15

As reported in the Sacramento Bee's monumental exposé, "Wildlife Services," the federal, wildlife-killing program, uses brutal methods that even claim the lives of federally-protected species. Golden eagles are often likely killed, but their deaths go unrecorded.

In 2011, "Wildlife Services" reported it killed no golden eagles. But as former animal damage agent Gary Strader shared, the agency promotes an internal "shoot, shovel, and shut up" agenda. Strader's supervisor had... …
As reported in the Sacramento Bee's monumental exposé, "Wildlife Services," the federal, wildlife-killing program, uses brutal methods that even claim the lives of federally-protected species. Golden eagles are often likely killed, but their deaths go unrecorded.

In 2011, "Wildlife Services" reported it killed no golden eagles. But as former animal damage agent Gary Strader shared, the agency promotes an internal "shoot, shovel, and shut up" agenda. Strader's supervisor had told him to simply bury a golden eagle he had inadvertently caught in a leghold trap – so long as there were no witnesses.

Worse, "Wildlife Services" liberally sets out a dangerous avian poison, called DRC-1339, in baits in the golden eagles' habitat – ostensibly to kill common ravens, but this poison does not discriminate between its avian victims—whether common or rare, nor is it a humane death, it takes up to 3 days to act.

Wildlife Services' practices remain indiscriminate, at odds with science, sadistic, and sometimes illegal, and so we have sued them, sought Congressional and Presidential help, informed media stories, and exposed their misdeeds before a host of decision makers and elected officials.

WildEarth Guardians works to raise public awareness and gain political momentum to end funding of this extremely dangerous federal program. Indeed, part of our mission is to end the taxpayer-funded war on wildlife. Won't you help us?

If you have not done so already, please visit our website at www.wildearthguardians.org to learn more about our campaign and to sign up for our action alerts. Most recently we have issued an action alert email campaign calling for an investigation into the agency for keeping the killing of an highly-endangered Mexican wolf, by one of their own agents in January, hidden from the public. This issue was just brought to light by the media—three months later!

Thank you for joining our cause and being a voice for the wild.
Update #7

Posted by Lori Colt (Campaign Leader) on Apr 8

Just as biologists note that mountain lions (also called cougars or pumas) are vital drivers in their native ecosystems, decision makers allow unsustainable levels of exploitation of their populations. In 2011, the USDA's wildlife killing agency killed over 400 mountain lions—this is in addition to heavy-handed trophy hunting allowed by state wildlife-management agencies.

By modulating deer populations, mountain lions prevent overgrazing near fragile riparian habitats. The result: more... …
Just as biologists note that mountain lions (also called cougars or pumas) are vital drivers in their native ecosystems, decision makers allow unsustainable levels of exploitation of their populations. In 2011, the USDA's wildlife killing agency killed over 400 mountain lions—this is in addition to heavy-handed trophy hunting allowed by state wildlife-management agencies.

By modulating deer populations, mountain lions prevent overgrazing near fragile riparian habitats. The result: more cottonwoods, rushes, cattails, wildflowers, amphibians, lizards, and butterflies, as well as deeper but narrower stream channels. In short, when mountain lions are essential to the landscape. Where they are present, there is greater biological diversity and greater ecosystem function.

WildEarth Guardians believes all wildlife has a place on the landscape and taxpayers should not be forced to fund massive wildlife killing for the benefit of hunters (who wrongly believe they compete with mountain lions for deer or elk), nor those agribusiness (who routinely exaggerate minuscule livestock losses from mountain lions and other native carnivores).

We're working to end the government's war on wildlife. Learn more, and then become a member of WildEarth Guardians!

SUGGESTED LINKS:

States and Trophy hunting: http://www.wildearthguardians.org/site/PageServer?pagename=priorities_wildlife_carnivore_protection#.UWLjN4Ks0-8

Lions and ecosystem health: http://www.cof.orst.edu/leopold/papers/cougar_cascades_ripple_beschta_2006.pdf

Hunters complain about resource competition: http://www.wildearthguardians.org/site/DocServer/Wolf_Report_20120503.pdf?docID=5202

Livestock losses: http://www.wildearthguardians.org/site/PageServer?pagename=priorities_wildlife_war_wildlife_livestock_losses#.UWLif4Ks0-8

Photo Credit: Richard Badger
Update #6

Posted by Lori Colt (Campaign Leader) on Apr 1

657,134 red-winged blackbirds were killed by the ironically-named USDA program, "Wildlife Services," in 2011 purportedly for agribusiness. Farmers complain that birds eat sunflower seeds, cattle grain, or defecate on livestock and farm equipment. "Wildlife Services" Bye Bye Blackbird operations, has targeted millions of grackles, starlings, and numerous species of blackbirds. But the bird poison "Wildlife Services" uses, DRC-1339, is so lethal it can also kill many other unintended bird...
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657,134 red-winged blackbirds were killed by the ironically-named USDA program, "Wildlife Services," in 2011 purportedly for agribusiness. Farmers complain that birds eat sunflower seeds, cattle grain, or defecate on livestock and farm equipment. "Wildlife Services" Bye Bye Blackbird operations, has targeted millions of grackles, starlings, and numerous species of blackbirds. But the bird poison "Wildlife Services" uses, DRC-1339, is so lethal it can also kill many other unintended bird species including eagles, hawks, and cranes.

If fact in 2009, the USDA eliminated a staggering 4,000,000 birds. Since then, "Wildlife Services" has reported far fewer kills. But because DRC-1339 takes three days to act, the government likely does not count all the birds it has poisoned, and further, it seems to be reluctant to tell how many birds it actually kills.
Join us, and sign our pledge, and ask Congress to defund the government's war on wildlife. "Wildlife Services" is an antiquated, unnecessary and secretive USDA program that has long outlived its place on the taxpayer dole.

You can also donate directly to WildEarth Guardians, as we are taking both legislative and legal strategies to end the government's war on wildlife.
Update #5

Posted by Lori Colt (Campaign Leader) on Mar 25

Nearly 84,000 coyotes were killed by the USDA's Wildlife Services in 2011 at the behest of agribusiness, ranchers and hunters.

Scientists have discovered that coyotes in lethally controlled populations actually increase breeding, have larger litter sizes, which can increase their populations. Not only is the killing a travesty, but the agency is literally wasting not only coyotes, but taxpayer's hard-earned money as well.

The agency employs an arsenal of lethal killing devices for all 4... …
Nearly 84,000 coyotes were killed by the USDA's Wildlife Services in 2011 at the behest of agribusiness, ranchers and hunters.

Scientists have discovered that coyotes in lethally controlled populations actually increase breeding, have larger litter sizes, which can increase their populations. Not only is the killing a travesty, but the agency is literally wasting not only coyotes, but taxpayer's hard-earned money as well.

The agency employs an arsenal of lethal killing devices for all 4 million animals they kill annually.

Wildlife Services shoots wildlife from aircraft--a practice called "aerial gunning." It garrotes animals on land and in the water with cruel traps and snares. It strangles thousands of "target" beavers and accidentally catches hundreds of river otters. The agency broadcasts a panoply of lethal toxicants—from cyanide to strychnine—making our wild landscapes a minefield for any wide ranging animal, including black birds, ravens, coyotes, wolves, wolverines, prairie dogs, and bears. It hounds coyotes, mountain lions and bears with dogs, and then shoots them. Wildlife Services dynamites beaver lodges and dams. Wildlife Services goes to extreme lengths to kill and kill and kill.

Let's end the government's war on wildlife. Please sign our petition to defund Wildlife Services, and continue to spread the word about this secretive and unnecessary federal agency.

For the Wild,
WildEarth Guardians
Update #4

Posted by Lori Colt (Campaign Leader) on Mar 18

"The misnamed Wildlife Services is a carpet bomber of the West because of the scale of indiscriminate killing of native wildlife," said Jim Baca, former director of the Bureau of Land Management in the 1990s. "If Congress is serious about saving money, this is where they should start."

Wildlife Services reported it killed nearly 1,400 house cats, more than 400 domestic dogs, 14 American white pelicans, and 2,983 meadowlarks in FY 2011.

The also killed 552 river otters, as bycatch to the... …
"The misnamed Wildlife Services is a carpet bomber of the West because of the scale of indiscriminate killing of native wildlife," said Jim Baca, former director of the Bureau of Land Management in the 1990s. "If Congress is serious about saving money, this is where they should start."

Wildlife Services reported it killed nearly 1,400 house cats, more than 400 domestic dogs, 14 American white pelicans, and 2,983 meadowlarks in FY 2011.

The also killed 552 river otters, as bycatch to the beaver traps that killed close to 28,000 beavers!

See all the reported creatures killed by Wildlife Services in 2011, by species and state.

Its time to end the government's taxpayer-funded war of wildlife!
Update #3

Posted by Lori Colt (Campaign Leader) on Mar 12

Nearly 1,000 people have joined our cause in the last 24 hours and now, Fox News is covering the story and the need to overhaul this rogue agency inappropriately named "Wildlife Services."
Thank you so much for sharing this issue with your friends, family and colleagues.
The USDA's Predator Control program, Wildlife Services, is cruel, ineffective, and detrimental. Congressman Peter DeFazio (D-Org) is a wonderful champion for wildlife, along with Rep. John Campbell (R-Calif), who are...
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Nearly 1,000 people have joined our cause in the last 24 hours and now, Fox News is covering the story and the need to overhaul this rogue agency inappropriately named "Wildlife Services."
Thank you so much for sharing this issue with your friends, family and colleagues.
The USDA's Predator Control program, Wildlife Services, is cruel, ineffective, and detrimental. Congressman Peter DeFazio (D-Org) is a wonderful champion for wildlife, along with Rep. John Campbell (R-Calif), who are reaching across the political aisle to conspire and put an end this taxpayer-funded boondoggle.
Keep the momentum going, please continue to share your knowledge, and passion to improve the future for wildlife in this increasingly hostile environment. Together we can end the Government's war on wildlife!
Update #2

Posted by Lori Colt (Campaign Leader) on Mar 11

The United States Department of Agriculture's wildlife killing agency cruelly snuffed-out nearly 28,000 beavers by trapping, shooting, strangling and drowning them. Beavers from Arkansas to Wyoming, and all points in between were grossly killed on behalf of agribusiness and cities competing for resources.

A list of the nearly 4 million animals destroyed listed by species and state is available here.

You can help end the government's war on wildlife by educating your friends and family, and... …
The United States Department of Agriculture's wildlife killing agency cruelly snuffed-out nearly 28,000 beavers by trapping, shooting, strangling and drowning them. Beavers from Arkansas to Wyoming, and all points in between were grossly killed on behalf of agribusiness and cities competing for resources.

A list of the nearly 4 million animals destroyed listed by species and state is available here.

You can help end the government's war on wildlife by educating your friends and family, and by sending written editorials to your local paper to further educate the public on the species being killed in your area and throughout the U.S.

Thank you for your efforts to defund this atrocious agency.
Update #1

Posted by Lori Colt (Campaign Leader) on Mar 5

Since 1915, the U.S. government has funded wildlife-killing campaigns designed to protect agribusiness -- the only thing that has changed since its inception in 1885 is the agency's name.
In 1931, Congress passed the Animal Damage Control Act. It required the Secretary of Agriculture to eradicate wildlife deemed harmful to agribusiness. As a result the then named "Biological Survey" initiated massive poisoning campaigns in the 1920s and 1930s that greatly diminished...
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Since 1915, the U.S. government has funded wildlife-killing campaigns designed to protect agribusiness -- the only thing that has changed since its inception in 1885 is the agency's name.
In 1931, Congress passed the Animal Damage Control Act. It required the Secretary of Agriculture to eradicate wildlife deemed harmful to agribusiness. As a result the then named "Biological Survey" initiated massive poisoning campaigns in the 1920s and 1930s that greatly diminished America's wildlife -- from rodents to birds to native carnivores.
Learn more about the history of the U.S. Government's war on wildlife and how unless we defund this USDA agency, the carnage will continue.
With your voice and activism, we can end the slaughter.