|
...yet the Trump admin just opened the door to what we are certain is the return of deadly cyanide bombs on BLM lands. Let's stop them.
Dear Friend,
This is an urgent call to action. If you've followed us for any time, you are likely familiar with our long work to ban M-44 cyanide bombs on public lands across the nation. We've worked with dozens of victims since 1990 who've suffered great loss to these devices, including their beloved dogs, their own health, or that of their children. We helped create a West coast free of M-44s, and in 2023 were thrilled to get them banned on 245 million acres of Bureau of Land Management (BLM) lands.
Yet now, in a move that should outrage all who love the notion that they can recreate safely in the great outdoors, the Trump administration has quietly re-opened the door to returning cyanide bombs to America's public lands. We confirmed this earlier this month by procuring a document that took weeks of calls and requests to uncover--a new Memorandum of Understanding between BLM and USDA Wildlife Services.
This most unwelcome, yet sadly anticipated development is addressed in a new article by renowned journalist Todd Wilkinson, who provides keen, in-depth insight into the multi-decade use of and fight to ban these devices--the victims, the advocates, the political players, and the maddening facts involved. It is well worth a read.
Help us stop this insane development from succeeding with just a couple minutes of your time. Call or email the DC office and at least one state office using our easy sample message below.
M-44s are still being used by the government for predator control in 10 states--Colorado, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Texas, West Virginia and Wyoming. We want to make them feel the heat of public outrage and need your help contacting them. Please contact both the DC BLM office and at least one of the state BLM offices listed below and tell then NO, we do not want them to use M-44s ever again.
NOTES: It doesn't necessarily matter if you don't live in any of these states. If applicable, simply tell them you were planning to go there on vacation or hoping to recreate on BLM land in their area, but can no longer do so, due to safety concerns. Also, calls and individualized messages are most effective, so please customize a bit in your own voice if you have time. State officials don't get nearly the contact that federal officials do, and the impact is much higher according to some top activists working in these challenging times. STATS
********** SAMPLE MESSAGE **********
Dear _______,
I just learned that M-44 "cyanide bombs" are poised to be returned to use on BLM land for predator control. This must not happen.
M-44s have NO place on our public lands. They are indiscriminate devices filled with Category 1 poison. They have killed countless family dogs, endangered species, and wildlife. They have also injured dozens of people. They almost killed a child in Pocatello in 2017, and they caused the permanent disability of a Utah man in 2018, contributing to his death. Experts in the field affirm it is only a matter of time before an M-44 kills a child.
Simply put: M-44s are a public safety issue. There is no way to use them safely, as no young child, dog or wild animal can read a warning sign. Please assure me you will prioritize the BLM not using these devices, as I would like to be able to recreate on BLM land without being concerned about being poisoned or whether my dog or child might die.
[OPTIONAL:] In addition, I don't believe the federal government has any justification for trying to "manage" native predators with a device that can never be used safely. There are many nonlethal methods of protecting livestock that have been proven to work. Meanwhile, the best available science shows that killing coyotes only leads to an increase in coyote populations, which means killing them is counter-productive.
Thank you very much for your help ensuring safety on our shared public lands,
Your name
City, State
********** END OF SAMPLE MESSAGE **********
List of Key BLM Offices to Contact
WASHINGTON, D.C.
Website: https://www.blm.gov/office/national-office
Phone: 202-208-3801
(No direct email address available, so please call.)
COLORADO
Website: https://www.blm.gov/office/colorado-state-office
Phone: 303-239-3600
Email: blm_co_info@blm.gov
MONTANA & NORTH DAKOTA
Website: https://www.blm.gov/office/montanadakotas-state-office
Phone: 406-896-5004
Email: BLM_MT_SO_Information@blm.gov
NEVADA
Website: https://www.blm.gov/office/nevada-state-office
Phone: 775-861-6500
Email: BLM_NV_NVSO_web_mail@blm.gov
NEW MEXICO (includes lands in TEXAS)
Website: https://www.blm.gov/office/new-mexico-state-office
Phone: 505-954-2000
Email: blm_nm_comments@blm.gov
OKLAHOMA
Website: https://www.blm.gov/office/oklahoma-field-office
Phone: 405-579-7100
Email: blm_nm_comments@blm.gov
WEST VIRGINIA
Website: https://www.blm.gov/office/northeastern-states
Phone: 414-297-4401
Email: BLM_ES_NSDO_PublicInquiry@BLM.GOV
WYOMING (Includes lands in NEBRASKA)
Website: https://www.blm.gov/office/wyoming-state-office
Phone: 307-775-6256
Email: blm_wy_copywork@blm.gov
# # #
Predator Defense is a national nonprofit advocacy organization devoted to protecting essential native predators, helping people learn to coexist with wild animals, and ending America's war on wildlife. They have been championing native predators with science, sanity, and heart since 1990.
| 
