A new report shows that a federal agency killed thousands of wild animals in 2021. The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Wildlife Services program killed 404,000 wild animals in 2021. The report said the program killed over 64,000 coyotes, nearly 25,000 beavers and 3000 foxes. The killings occurred despite the fact that Wildlife Services received $1.4 million for non lethal management in 13 states.
Wildearth Guardians’ Lindsay Larris said non-lethal management includes fences, range riders and even Llamas.
“Ranchers, agricultural producers appreciate those options,” said Larris. “So, if they exist and they’re working, let’s see more of those, and not have unnecessary killing of native species."
Larris said many of the animals were killed on public lands because they were interfering with grazing and she called that concerning.
