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Dear Guardian,
The EPA is currently reviewing the use of M-44 “cyanide bombs” across the country. A favorite of federal wildlife-killing program Wildlife Services, these grotesque devices lure wildlife with smelly bait before shooting a stream of poisonous sodium cyanide down their throats. M-44s maim or kill any creature unlucky enough to trigger them, whether it’s a coyote, an endangered Mexican wolf, a family dog, or even an Idaho teenager. It’s time to tell the EPA these poisons have no place in the West!
Across the country, M-44s’ body count is rising. In 2017 (the most recent data available), Wildlife Services reports that it killed 13,232 animals with M-44s, including 21 dogs, 12,119 coyotes, 1,013 foxes, 48 raccoons, 21 opossums, 5 skunks, 2 swine, 2 ravens and one gray wolf. Of these deaths, more than 200 were nontarget animals, including 110 foxes, a gray wolf, 48 raccoons, 21 opossums, and more.
Each one of these 13,232 animals died in vain. Though M-44s’ intended purpose is to protect livestock from predators, there is no scientific evidence that lethal control actually works; one study even found that it increased livestock losses. Non-lethal alternatives to sodium cyanide bombs are scientifically proven to be more effective at protecting livestock—and without the catastrophic loss of life.
The facts are clear: M-44s need to go. Submit comments to the EPA asking for a ban on M-44 cyanide bombs. Together, we can banish these abhorrent poisons from the places we love.
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