A coalition of activist groups is once again going after the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) predator control program, notifying USDA this week that it plans to file a lawsuit to halt wildlife trapping and killing in Idaho until it can be sure the activities do not harm protected species.
The activist groups, including the Western Watersheds Project, sent a notice of intent to sue USDA's Wildlife Services (WS) program, saying the program unnecessarily places scores of wildlife species at risk of harm in its ongoing efforts to control coyotes, black bears, mountain lions and other animals in the state.
WS is tasked with managing animals that are deemed a threat to crops and livestock.
The notice of intent was sent to Todd Grimm, WS Idaho state director, with copies to Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, Interior Secretary Sally Jewell, and Fish and Wildlife Service Director Dan Ashe.
This weeks' notice of intent to sue WS is similar to a notice sent last week to WS accusing the program of violating the Endangered Species Act for not analyzing the impacts of trapping and other predator control efforts on the endangered ocelot in southern Arizona.
The WS program has been under fire from activist groups in recent years.
Source: American Sheep Industry
Posted by Northern Ag Network
