Order Wildlife Services of the USDA to immediately cease killing native predators and to focus only on invasive species.

The Wildlife Services branch of the USDA killed over 700,000 wild animals last year, in the name of protecting farmers, ranchers, lawns, parks and golf courses. While this may be justified for invasive species like feral hogs, many of the animals killed were native predators such as coyotes, foxes, bobcats and cougars. Many studies-including by the US government-have shown that such predators are essential for a healthy, balanced ecosystem. In tight budget times it is indefensible to spend tax dollars on a program that damages and weakens our already stressed environment. These policies belong to an era long past, along with buffalo hunts and bounties on wolf pelts. Therefore I urge this Administration to immediately cease this practice of killing natural predators in their native areas.