Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

US Temporarily Bans Use Of Cyanide Predator Traps In Idaho

The M-44 consists of a capsule holder, a cyanide capsule, a spring-activated ejector, and a stake. When triggered they propel one gram of lethal sodium cyanide into an animal's mouth.
U.S. Department of Agriculture
The M-44 consists of a capsule holder, a cyanide capsule, a spring-activated ejector, and a stake.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Wildlife Services program announced today that it would stop using predator-killing cyanide traps in Idaho, at least temporarily according to the Idaho Statesman.

This after a cyanide trap killed a dog in Pocatello and sickened a 14-year-old boy on March 16

The decision came after four environmental and animal welfare groups filed a lawsuit against the USDA in federal court in Missoula last week, and 19 conservation and wildlife organizations filed a petition two weeks ago. The cyanide bombs were being used to kill predators and pests.

Bethany Cotton is with WildEarth Guardians, one of the groups suing the Federal government:

"It’s certainly a very good first step and necessary in Idaho given the recent tragedy, but we have concerns about whether it will actually be followed. We’re calling on the program to make this moratorium a permanent ban and not just in Idaho but across the country on both private and public lands," Cotton says.

In a letter sent to conservation groups today, the USDA announced it has ceased the use of M-44 cyanide bombs on all private, state and federal lands in Idaho, and has removed all M-44s that were deployed in the state.

Become a sustaining member for as low as $5/month
Make an annual or one-time donation to support MTPR
Pay an existing pledge or update your payment information