SUBSCRIBE TO OUR FREE NEWSLETTER
Daily news & progressive opinion—funded by the people, not the corporations—delivered straight to your inbox.
5
#000000
#FFFFFF
To donate by check, phone, or other method, see our More Ways to Give page.
Daily news & progressive opinion—funded by the people, not the corporations—delivered straight to your inbox.
Animal rights groups are welcoming the Trump administration's decision to revoke approval of traps--used to target animals such as coyotes--that critics have dubbed "cyanide bombs." (Photo: Tom Koerner/USFWS Mountain-Prairie/Flickr/cc)
Conservation and animal rights advocates celebrated a rare Trump era victory Thursday after the Environmental Protection Agency reversed its approval of so-called "cyanide bombs" to kill wildlife on public lands, a decision made last week that provoked impassioned public outcry.
"Obviously somebody at EPA is paying attention to the public's concerns about cyanide bombs."
--Brooks Fahy, Predator Defense
"I am announcing a withdrawal of EPA's interim registration review decision on sodium cyanide, the compound used in M-44 devices to control wild predators," agency Administrator Andrew Wheeler said in a statement Thursday, referring to the traps by their official name. "This issue warrants further analysis and additional discussions by EPA with the registrants of this predacide."
Brooks Fahy, executive director of Predator Defense, a wildlife group that opposes the spring-loaded poison traps, said in a statement to The Guardian that the EPA's reversal seemed to be the result of widespread outrage over the agency's initial authorization.
"Obviously somebody at EPA is paying attention to the public's concerns about cyanide bombs," said Fahy. "It would appear they're responding to public outrage over the interim decision from last week. Our phone has been ringing off the hook from concerned citizens regarding their greenlight to continue using these horrific devices. We'll have to see how this plays out."
\u201cVICTORY!!\ud83d\udc3e\nThe Trump administration reversed its decision to use 'cyanide bombs' to kill wild animals! \nBig thanks to @PredatorDefense for fighting for this! https://t.co/wl0Pfu7HO7\u201d— Wolf Conservation Center (@Wolf Conservation Center) 1565916696
M-44 devices have been used by Wildlife Services--a program of the U.S. Department of Agriculture--and state agencies in Montana, New Mexico, South Dakota, Texas, and Wyoming to kill animals like coyotes, but critics note that their use also threatens the lives of non-targeted animals such as foxes, bears, and family pets. The EPA had initally authorized the agencies to use traps on an interim basis, pending a final decision in 2021--before the agency changed course Thursday.
With respect to the agencies that use the traps, Wheeler added, "I look forward to continuing this dialogue to ensure U.S. livestock remain well-protected from dangerous predators while simultaneously minimizing off-target impacts on both humans and non-predatory animals."
"I'm thrilled that the EPA just reversed its wrongheaded decision to reauthorize deadly cyanide traps," Collette Adkins, carnivore conservation director at the nonprofit Center for Biological Diversity, told HuffPost in a statement. "So many people expressed their outrage, and the EPA seems to be listening. I hope the feds finally recognize the need for a permanent ban to protect people, pets, and imperiled wildlife from this poison."
HuffPost detailed an example of an M-44 impacting unintended targets:
In a heartbreaking encounter two years ago, one of the death traps was triggered in Pocatello, Idaho, as 14-year-old Canyon Mansfield was walking his dog, Casey. The dog died a violent death in front of Canyon, and the teen was rushed to a hospital, where he eventually recovered from exposure to the poison in the trap set by federal workers. His parents are suing the USDA's Wildlife Services over his poisoning.
Wheeler's announcement Thursday was also welcomed by Kieran Suckling, executive director of the Center for Biological Diversity, which was part of a lawsuit that blocked the use of the devices on 10 million acres in Wyoming earlier this week.
\u201cGreat News: Under withering public criticism, the @EPA today withdrew its August 10th approval of wildlife-killing cyanide bombs.\n\nEPA press release here: https://t.co/JiSbSuLyib\u201d— Kier\u00e1n Suckling (@Kier\u00e1n Suckling) 1565912485
Following the court order in Wyoming, Western Watersheds Project executive director Erik Molvar--whose group was also part of the suit--said that "it's past time for the government to stop killing predators for the sake of the livestock industry."
The Associated Press reported Thursday that "in 2018, M-44s killed about 6,500 animals, mainly coyotes and foxes. That was down from about 13,200 animals in 2017."
Donald Trump’s attacks on democracy, justice, and a free press are escalating — putting everything we stand for at risk. We believe a better world is possible, but we can’t get there without your support. Common Dreams stands apart. We answer only to you — our readers, activists, and changemakers — not to billionaires or corporations. Our independence allows us to cover the vital stories that others won’t, spotlighting movements for peace, equality, and human rights. Right now, our work faces unprecedented challenges. Misinformation is spreading, journalists are under attack, and financial pressures are mounting. As a reader-supported, nonprofit newsroom, your support is crucial to keep this journalism alive. Whatever you can give — $10, $25, or $100 — helps us stay strong and responsive when the world needs us most. Together, we’ll continue to build the independent, courageous journalism our movement relies on. Thank you for being part of this community. |
Conservation and animal rights advocates celebrated a rare Trump era victory Thursday after the Environmental Protection Agency reversed its approval of so-called "cyanide bombs" to kill wildlife on public lands, a decision made last week that provoked impassioned public outcry.
"Obviously somebody at EPA is paying attention to the public's concerns about cyanide bombs."
--Brooks Fahy, Predator Defense
"I am announcing a withdrawal of EPA's interim registration review decision on sodium cyanide, the compound used in M-44 devices to control wild predators," agency Administrator Andrew Wheeler said in a statement Thursday, referring to the traps by their official name. "This issue warrants further analysis and additional discussions by EPA with the registrants of this predacide."
Brooks Fahy, executive director of Predator Defense, a wildlife group that opposes the spring-loaded poison traps, said in a statement to The Guardian that the EPA's reversal seemed to be the result of widespread outrage over the agency's initial authorization.
"Obviously somebody at EPA is paying attention to the public's concerns about cyanide bombs," said Fahy. "It would appear they're responding to public outrage over the interim decision from last week. Our phone has been ringing off the hook from concerned citizens regarding their greenlight to continue using these horrific devices. We'll have to see how this plays out."
\u201cVICTORY!!\ud83d\udc3e\nThe Trump administration reversed its decision to use 'cyanide bombs' to kill wild animals! \nBig thanks to @PredatorDefense for fighting for this! https://t.co/wl0Pfu7HO7\u201d— Wolf Conservation Center (@Wolf Conservation Center) 1565916696
M-44 devices have been used by Wildlife Services--a program of the U.S. Department of Agriculture--and state agencies in Montana, New Mexico, South Dakota, Texas, and Wyoming to kill animals like coyotes, but critics note that their use also threatens the lives of non-targeted animals such as foxes, bears, and family pets. The EPA had initally authorized the agencies to use traps on an interim basis, pending a final decision in 2021--before the agency changed course Thursday.
With respect to the agencies that use the traps, Wheeler added, "I look forward to continuing this dialogue to ensure U.S. livestock remain well-protected from dangerous predators while simultaneously minimizing off-target impacts on both humans and non-predatory animals."
"I'm thrilled that the EPA just reversed its wrongheaded decision to reauthorize deadly cyanide traps," Collette Adkins, carnivore conservation director at the nonprofit Center for Biological Diversity, told HuffPost in a statement. "So many people expressed their outrage, and the EPA seems to be listening. I hope the feds finally recognize the need for a permanent ban to protect people, pets, and imperiled wildlife from this poison."
HuffPost detailed an example of an M-44 impacting unintended targets:
In a heartbreaking encounter two years ago, one of the death traps was triggered in Pocatello, Idaho, as 14-year-old Canyon Mansfield was walking his dog, Casey. The dog died a violent death in front of Canyon, and the teen was rushed to a hospital, where he eventually recovered from exposure to the poison in the trap set by federal workers. His parents are suing the USDA's Wildlife Services over his poisoning.
Wheeler's announcement Thursday was also welcomed by Kieran Suckling, executive director of the Center for Biological Diversity, which was part of a lawsuit that blocked the use of the devices on 10 million acres in Wyoming earlier this week.
\u201cGreat News: Under withering public criticism, the @EPA today withdrew its August 10th approval of wildlife-killing cyanide bombs.\n\nEPA press release here: https://t.co/JiSbSuLyib\u201d— Kier\u00e1n Suckling (@Kier\u00e1n Suckling) 1565912485
Following the court order in Wyoming, Western Watersheds Project executive director Erik Molvar--whose group was also part of the suit--said that "it's past time for the government to stop killing predators for the sake of the livestock industry."
The Associated Press reported Thursday that "in 2018, M-44s killed about 6,500 animals, mainly coyotes and foxes. That was down from about 13,200 animals in 2017."
Conservation and animal rights advocates celebrated a rare Trump era victory Thursday after the Environmental Protection Agency reversed its approval of so-called "cyanide bombs" to kill wildlife on public lands, a decision made last week that provoked impassioned public outcry.
"Obviously somebody at EPA is paying attention to the public's concerns about cyanide bombs."
--Brooks Fahy, Predator Defense
"I am announcing a withdrawal of EPA's interim registration review decision on sodium cyanide, the compound used in M-44 devices to control wild predators," agency Administrator Andrew Wheeler said in a statement Thursday, referring to the traps by their official name. "This issue warrants further analysis and additional discussions by EPA with the registrants of this predacide."
Brooks Fahy, executive director of Predator Defense, a wildlife group that opposes the spring-loaded poison traps, said in a statement to The Guardian that the EPA's reversal seemed to be the result of widespread outrage over the agency's initial authorization.
"Obviously somebody at EPA is paying attention to the public's concerns about cyanide bombs," said Fahy. "It would appear they're responding to public outrage over the interim decision from last week. Our phone has been ringing off the hook from concerned citizens regarding their greenlight to continue using these horrific devices. We'll have to see how this plays out."
\u201cVICTORY!!\ud83d\udc3e\nThe Trump administration reversed its decision to use 'cyanide bombs' to kill wild animals! \nBig thanks to @PredatorDefense for fighting for this! https://t.co/wl0Pfu7HO7\u201d— Wolf Conservation Center (@Wolf Conservation Center) 1565916696
M-44 devices have been used by Wildlife Services--a program of the U.S. Department of Agriculture--and state agencies in Montana, New Mexico, South Dakota, Texas, and Wyoming to kill animals like coyotes, but critics note that their use also threatens the lives of non-targeted animals such as foxes, bears, and family pets. The EPA had initally authorized the agencies to use traps on an interim basis, pending a final decision in 2021--before the agency changed course Thursday.
With respect to the agencies that use the traps, Wheeler added, "I look forward to continuing this dialogue to ensure U.S. livestock remain well-protected from dangerous predators while simultaneously minimizing off-target impacts on both humans and non-predatory animals."
"I'm thrilled that the EPA just reversed its wrongheaded decision to reauthorize deadly cyanide traps," Collette Adkins, carnivore conservation director at the nonprofit Center for Biological Diversity, told HuffPost in a statement. "So many people expressed their outrage, and the EPA seems to be listening. I hope the feds finally recognize the need for a permanent ban to protect people, pets, and imperiled wildlife from this poison."
HuffPost detailed an example of an M-44 impacting unintended targets:
In a heartbreaking encounter two years ago, one of the death traps was triggered in Pocatello, Idaho, as 14-year-old Canyon Mansfield was walking his dog, Casey. The dog died a violent death in front of Canyon, and the teen was rushed to a hospital, where he eventually recovered from exposure to the poison in the trap set by federal workers. His parents are suing the USDA's Wildlife Services over his poisoning.
Wheeler's announcement Thursday was also welcomed by Kieran Suckling, executive director of the Center for Biological Diversity, which was part of a lawsuit that blocked the use of the devices on 10 million acres in Wyoming earlier this week.
\u201cGreat News: Under withering public criticism, the @EPA today withdrew its August 10th approval of wildlife-killing cyanide bombs.\n\nEPA press release here: https://t.co/JiSbSuLyib\u201d— Kier\u00e1n Suckling (@Kier\u00e1n Suckling) 1565912485
Following the court order in Wyoming, Western Watersheds Project executive director Erik Molvar--whose group was also part of the suit--said that "it's past time for the government to stop killing predators for the sake of the livestock industry."
The Associated Press reported Thursday that "in 2018, M-44s killed about 6,500 animals, mainly coyotes and foxes. That was down from about 13,200 animals in 2017."