2014 was a very bad year for wildlife. According to the Center for Biological Diversity, new data shows that the USDA's Wildlife Services admitted to killing over 2.7 million animals in 2014. Here's a disturbing breakdown of the lives lost:
-- 322 gray wolves
-- 61,702 coyotes
-- 580 black bears
-- 305 mountain lions
-- 796 bobcats
-- 454 river otters
-- 2,930 foxes
-- 3 bald eagles
-- 5 golden eagles
-- 22,496 beavers
-- 15,698 black-tailed prairie dogs
-- 16 pet dogs (unintentional fatalities)
These innocent animals, who also play key ecological functions, were taken down with snipers, deadly poisons and traps. Amy Attwood, a senior attorney for The Center for Biological Diversity, explains that since 1996, "Wildlife Services has shot, poisoned and strangled by snare more than 2.7 million native animals" because agriculture, livestock and special interests groups consider them "pests."
Do you want your tax dollars to fund this cruel and enormous death toll? Because this is the current reality. But it's not the only possibility, e.g. Wildlife Services could invest in public education, better fences, etc. Even though Wildlife Services has "no interest in cleaning up its act," you can sign and share this petition demanding that it stops the senseless extermination of our precious wildlife.
Killing 2.7 million wild animals at taxpayer expense is unacceptable. APHIS Wildlife Services needs a major overhaul. Your agency needs to prioritize non-lethal management of wildlife and increase your transparency, detailing each situation and decision-making process utilized before euthanizing any animal. Sincerely, Thousand of Care2 members
