Editor’s Note:
Here we go again. When will these backward, corrupt bureaucrats stop implementing criminal policies against wildlife for the benefit of the rich ranching lobby? This is a question that the public has to ask of their representatives—now. I’m plenty upset because I just got the following alert from one of my colleagues in the social justice/ animal defense movement. Sure, we get these alerts almost every single day—those of us who give a damn. But, until this rotten situation changes, what is our choice? Please follow the suggestions below. Thanks. —Patrice Greanville
Stop the U.S. Forest Service from Poisoning Prairie Dogs The U.S. Forest Service is considering a plan to poison thousands of prairie dogs in Thunder Basin National Grassland. Tell the U.S. Forest Service that poisoning prairie dogs on our National Grasslands is outrageous and irresponsible! |
Dear Patrice,
Sometimes, it only takes a handful of anti-wildlife bullies to destroy wildlife and wild places.
In 2009, after years of planning and public input, officials set aside 85,000 acres in the Thunder Basin National Grassland as an area where prairie dogs would be protected from poisons and shooting. Today, this area contains the best prairie dog population on any National Grassland in America.
But now, a handful of outspoken ranchers have pressured the U.S. Forest Service into considering a plan to go back on their promise and poison all prairie dog colonies on the National Grassland within ¼ mile of private or state land. This would shrink the already small protected area by 22,000 acres, sentencing at least 18,000 prairie dogs to a horrific death by poison, despite the availability of proven and effective non-lethal methods.
Please join us in fighting this appalling plan that threatens to undo years of dedicated conservation work. The use of poison results in a slow and extremely painful death – and not just prairie dogs suffer. Killing these prairie dogs would subject multiple species who rely on prairie dogs to a sad end as well. Species such as the black-footed ferret, whose reintroduction to the area has long been delayed, will be postponed yet again – violating yet another promise to protect and restore species in the National Grassland.
We only have until January 3rd to urge the U.S. Forest Service to stop their poisonous plan. Please take action today to save the lives of thousands of prairie dogs and other species that call America’s grasslands home.
Thank you for all you do,
 | Steve Forrest |
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Defenders of Wildlife is a national, nonprofit membership organization dedicated to the protection of all native wild animals and plants in their natural communities.
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