375,000 NATIVE ANIMALS KILLED by One Program in 2023
The U.S. Department of Agriculture's notorious #WildlifeServices program just put out its required tally of #killings for last year: 375,045 native animals. The federal extermination program targets a long list of wild creatures, chiefly at the behest of #agricultural interests in states like #Texas, #Colorado and #Idaho.
According to the report — which almost surely understates the actual numbers —
1/6
more than 300 #GrayWolves, 68,000 #coyotes, 400 #BlackBears, 200 #MountainLions, 400 #bobcats, 2,000 red and gray #foxes, and 24,000 #beavers were intentionally killed in 2023.
"I'm horrified by both the sheer number of animals killed and the immense #suffering involved," said Collette Adkins, the Center's carnivore conservation director.
2/6
Center for Biological Diversity: WASHINGTON— The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Wildlife Services reported killing 375,045 native animals in 2023, according to recent data released by the program. The federal wildlife-killing program targets wolves, coyotes, cougars, birds and other wild animals, primarily to benefit the agriculture industry in states like Texas, Colorado and Idaho.
“It’s hard to even imagine the thousands of #coyotes, #beavers and other animals who die agonizing deaths from snares, traps or poisons.”
The reported number of native animals killed in 2023 was similar to the previous three years. These recent numbers reflect a steep decline compared to 2019, when approximately 1.3 million native animals were killed. The red-winged blackbird is an example of a species with fewer individuals intentionally killed by Wildlife Services,
3/6
with 14,314 killed in 2023 compared to 364,734 in 2019.
According to the new data, the wildlife-killing program unintentionally killed more than 2,484 animals in 2023, including 658 river #otters and 428 #turtles, as well as several dogs and cats. Its killing of nontarget birds included a federally protected #GoldenEagle, #WoodDucks, great #BlueHerons and #WildTurkeys. Such data reveals the indiscriminate nature of leghold #traps, #snares, #poisons and other methods used by federal agents.
4/6
Wildlife Services poisoned 6,543 animals using M-44 #CyanideBombs in 2023. Of these deaths, 156 were unintentional. The #BureauOfLandManagement recently banned Wildlife Services from using these dangerous devices on the land it manages.
“Year after year, millions of dollars are wasted on killing #wildlife instead of investing in long-term solutions that prevent conflicts,” said Adkins.
5/6
"Taxpayer-funded wildlife slaughter lets livestock operators and the agriculture industry ignore problems that lead to conflict instead of fixing them. #WildlifeServices should focus on implementing commonsense #coexistence measures like cleaning up livestock carcasses that attract wolves and bears.”
In the last several years, litigation and community opposition curtailed Wildlife Services operations in numerous states
- Center for Biological Diversity
6/6
anna_lillith 🇺🇦🌱🐖