The numbers are shocking. Since 1996, Wildlife Services has shot, poisoned, and strangled 27 million native animals; in 2014 alone, Wildlife Services killed close to 3 million animals. That’s 7,400 animals slaughtered every single day across the U.S.— not by hunters or poachers, but by a little known government agency called USDA “Wildlife Services” whose stated mission is “to resolve wildlife conflicts to allow people and wildlife to coexist.” This killing is done largely at the behest of ranchers and agribusiness. The carnage costs U.S. taxpayers more than 100 million dollars each year.
But we are holding this rogue agency accountable! In response to legal pressure from Project Coyote, the Animal Legal Defense Fund and other allies, Mendocino County, CA officials recently agreed to suspend the renewal of the county’s contract with Wildlife Services pending a full review under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). For the first time, this agency’s actions will be assessed under CEQA, requiring public disclosure of the full impact of this program on all wildlife- both target and non-target- and on the environment. Furthermore, non-lethal alternatives must be considered.
Representing our coalition, I am en route right now to the Mendocino County Board of Supervisors meeting where I will present nonlethal approaches to coexisting with wildlife. I will speak of our successful model in Marin County – known as the Marin County Livestock and Wildlife Protection Program. It works. Since implementation 15 years ago, livestock losses and costs to the county have decreased; fewer wild species have been killed. Ranchers have embraced the cost-share program that provides guard animals, better fencing and other non-lethal predator deterrents. Joining me is Keli Hendricks, Project Coyote Predator Friendly Ranching Coordinator, who will talk about some of the innovative non-lethal tools and methods we are testing on ranches in Marin and Sonoma County.
Please read this excellent op-ed in the Sac Bee by Lee M. Talbot – Stopping the Slaughter of America’s Native Wildlife, one County at a Time– and help us continue this critical work to stop the killing, reform predator management, and promote coexistence by donating to Project Coyote today. We depend on individual donors to sustain our important work for North America’s wildlife.
Exposing the Big Game 
Shocking yes, but I am not surprised. We have the same thing here in the UK, For example in many parks now you will never see a squirrel. I live in a harbour town in south Devon and I don’t even remember seeing a squirrel in 2.5 years here. I have seen warning signs in a park though for people to be careful with their dogs as poison has been put down – most probably by the Council. In fact I will take a walk up there in the next few days and take a picture of it.
There are very few small birds, just some seagulls, pigeons and jackdaws and it’s quite rare to see any other type of bird. That’s shocking really when you think about the variety of birds that there used to be. The fact is that there are too many murdering psychopaths free to kill as they please and that’s what must be changed before it’s too late.
Reblogged this on Sherlockian's Blog.
But, but if the USDA didn’t kill wild birds eating sunflower seeds from standing crops what would nature lovers have to feed the wild birds in the winter?