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U.S. Department of Agriculture: Stop Killing Wildlife
- Posted to WildEarth Guardians
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...
…This petition closed on May 10, 2013.
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56,219 people signed the petition
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
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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... … -
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... … -
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... … -
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... … -
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... … -
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...
… -
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... … -
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... … -
Update #3
Posted by Lori Colt (Campaign Leader) on Mar 12Nearly 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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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... … -
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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Discuss the petition
all the tree huggers gotta stop crying realize theAmerican sportsman put out billions of dollar a year and they're the real conservationist reason why the animals are doing so well today so check all your fax before you talk about it
also all the people that have a problem with this is probably because you live in the city any movie tonight Siri in the woods
disregard the last comment
These "Lawmakers" and "public officials" are the real hard core criminals of society. They manage to keep sleazing their way into public positions. There are highly dangerous criminals in the USDA and Fish and Wildlife "Services". They belong in prison for the rest of the lives not spreading bloodshed and chaos in public positions.
the killing of these animals is sanctioned by bought and paid for officials and politicians, bought and paid for by ranchers and landowners whose only interest is self interest. the encouragement of redneck retards to do the killing is not the image that the U.S and Canada should be giving to the rest of the (more) civilized world.
It's not patriotism, it's ignorance pure and simple - based in fear and anger. Our government has learned how to use it to their advantage - and to the advantage of those who would use this world up, along with everything and everyone in it - all for short-term financial gain. It's so sad that those like Dennis are victims of the fact that all of our media is owned by the same corporations that are trying to own and use everything up. That's why those like you and I have to keep talking and fighting the good fight. You keep up the GOOD work and thank you for being another "Peaceful Warrior"......
All Dennis has done is PROVE by his statement that he is one of the backward, inbred retards that have never evolved in attitude or belief. These actions against wildlife prove that the U.S. and Canada are still only motivated by greed in spite of what the sensible and feeling people really want, people like Dennis are only making the country a joke in the modern world.
I CAN'T STAND THE VOILENCE OUR LAWMAKERS AND BUREAUS PROMOTE. WHAT PART OF STOP DON'T YOU GUYS UNDERSTAND????S T O P !!!IS THAT CLEARER?
Even with all the advances in tracking technology, sensitive interpretation of accurate research & greater understanding of the inter- relationship between all animals, insects & flora in the ecosystem... American wildlife is being destroyed because of hatred & outdated superstition?!
You go girl!!
Jo - I totally agree with you - across the Pond, the superstition about badgers giving cattle TB has never been proven, yet our Govt is allowing a huge cull of what is supposed to be a protected species!
I fear I may live to see the day when there no wildlife left on our planet. The greed and stupidity of these emotional cripples sickens me.
terrible unfeeling ....wish animals can soon get more help ...
All departments of agriculture in the world are a disguise for murdering animals and if it was profitable they would murder humans.We should all treat people that work for that morally bankrupt organizations as leapers and point them out in public.They are even worst than pedophiles.
I love wolves, in fact all animals! We have to protect these innocent creatures.
innocent creatures, apparently you havent seen one in real life. they hunt for sport just like humans.
Does the U.S. government want to wipe out ALL wildlife in the country? it's time for common sense to prevail not the moaning and whining of money hungry ranchers, so- called "sportsmen" and rednecks with more guns than IQ. you must leave something for future generations other than pictures of extinct wildlife that should have been protected.
Hope soon this it will stop!