In the final installment of the 3-part series, Tom Knudson investigates how the role of USDA Wildlife Services may change in the future. Should the agency be disbanded? Should it be reformed and given different responsibilities like controlling only invasive, non-native species? Should its predator control program be defunded?
There is obviously a problem with the agency and something needs to be changed.
USDA Wildlife Services plane with stickers representing each wolf killed.
Suggestions in changing Wildlife Services range from new practices to outright bans
Tom Knudson – The Sacramento Bee.
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Ken Cole
Ken Cole is a 5th generation Idahoan, an avid fly fisherman, wildlife enthusiast, and photographer. He was formerly the Idaho Director for Western Watersheds Project and former Executive Director for Buffalo Field Campaign.
My view in sum is that U.S. Wildlife Services in the Dept. of Agriculture does a little bit of good eliminating or controlling a few of the many invasive species like feral hogs, starlings, and the like; but this is offset by a whole bunch of bad. The latter is the ingrained part of the agency, going back a century or so (the agency has had many names before it took “Wildlife Services” as a form of politically protective camouflage).
The agency can’t be reformed. Its few good services should be transferred to a new or existing agency and expanded to rid us of even more invasives. The rest of its functions should be abolished.
Yes, states and localities will start up their own little predator control agencies in some places. Better will be private enterprise pest control which is not likely to undertake projects that cost more than they benefit those who hire them, for example, no $20,000 helicopter flights to kill 5 or 6 coyotes.
Thank you guys for bringing awareness to this.
The function of Wildlife Services, if made to be more biological sound and rationally motivated, is needed to fight invasive species and reduce predation on endangered species. Perhaps if it was transferred to the USFWS it could be put to such good use.
http://www.sacbee.com/2012/05/06/4467305/wildlife-services-needs-a-tight.html