Wildlife Services, the branch of the USDA that controls so-called problem wildlife, will no longer use “cyanide bombs” to kill coyotes on public lands in Colorado.
“The spring-loaded devices emit sodium cyanide and are blamed for accidentally killing pet dogs in Idaho, Wyoming, and elsewhere,” says Reuters. Coyotes are often killed after attacking livestock.
The deal was made between Wildlife Services and conservation groups. “Colleen Adkins, attorney for the Center for Biological Diversity, said on Monday that the aim of lawsuits filed by activists in western U.S. states against Wildlife Services was ‘to combat cruel treatment of wildlife,’ ” explains Reuters.
The agency has also agreed to end plans to shoot cougars and black bears in Colorado, which was part of an effort to boost mule deer numbers for hunters.