Federal Government Sued Over Aerial Gunning of Wildlife

Animal Protection Institute
Tuesday, 6 March 2001

Coalition Demands Environmental and Economic Accountability

Washington, DC -- A lawsuit filed in federal court today seeks to stop the aerial gunning of wildlife until the US Department of Agriculture's Wildlife Services program (WS) and the US Department of Interior's Bureau of Land Management (BLM) comply with federal law. The suit was filed by AGRO: A Coalition to End the Aerial Gunning of Wildlife with help from the Western Environmental Law Center in Taos, NM. AGRO is comprised of 10 environmental, animal protection, and citizen advocacy organizations.

"Wildlife Services and the BLM have violated federal law by failing to conduct adequate analyses that reflect the true environmental and economic costs of their aerial gunning program," said Robin Cooley, the group's attorney. AGRO seeks an injunction barring the aerial gunning of wildlife until the agencies bring the program into compliance.

Through its aerial gunning program, Wildlife Services uses low-flying aircraft to kill predators on public and private lands throughout the western and midwestern United States. In 1999, Wildlife Services shot and killed 33,706 animals from the air, primarily to benefit private ranchers. "This program, which costs taxpayers millions of dollars each year, promotes welfare ranching. Livestock producers contribute little or nothing," said Camilla Fox, Wildlife Program Coordinator for the Animal Protection Institute.

In addition, accidents are rampant. "Since 1989," noted Wendy Keekover-Ring of Sinapu, "WS has crashed 17 helicopters or airplanes while hunting predators, killing 7 people and injuring 21 others. Taxpayers are stuck with paying for all investigations and monetary compensation due to these crashes."

The BLM has ultimate authority over its lands and cannot legally allow activities which fail to comply with all applicable federal laws; yet, the BLM has failed to perform certain site specific and cumulative environmental assessments as required.

"Wildlife Services, aided by the BLM, operates its aerial gunning program under a veil of secrecy and has effectively kept the public out of the planning process," said Fox. "Wildlife is supposed to be in the public trust yet few Americans know that their tax dollars pay for the killing of countless wild animals under the guise of 'public service'. We hope this lawsuit will focus public scrutiny on the outmoded, wasteful and shameful aerial gunning program. "

For more information, or to contact Animal Protection Institute, see their website at: www.api4animals.org