The second year in Three shots, shooters in Helicopters can kill up to 150 feral animals that have been tampering with habitats. in The Gila Wilderness is a vast undeveloped region of over a million acres in the Gila National Forest. in New Mexico.
It is expected that the aerial shooting will begin Thursday, and last through Sunday. the U.S. Forest Service said in a statement. This plan is in progress in conjunction with the Agriculture Department and the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service’s Wildlife Services program.
Camille Howes was the Gila National Forest supervisor. in A statement that while the decision was not easy to make, the removal of the cattle was necessary. “necessary to protect public safety, threatened and endangered species habitats, water quality, and the natural character of the Gila Wilderness.”
“The feral cattle in the Gila Wilderness have been aggressive towards wilderness visitors, graze year-round, and trample stream banks and springs, causing erosion and sedimentation,” Ms. Howes was added.
Maribeth Pecke, spokeswoman for Gila National Forest said that approximately 65 heads of cattle had been killed in aerial shooting last year. Since last February’s cull, the cattle have “continued to exist in the area and reproduce,” She added.
Cattle can be killed in Long-running divisions have existed over the Gila Wilderness, which has been an issue of contention between ranchers and environmentalists.
Cattle Growers in New Mexico They sued the Forest Service unsuccessfully over aerial shooting and claimed that their cattle were endangered. The New Mexico Cattle Growers’ Association, a coalition of more than 1,000 ranchers, has previously challenged the Forest Service over cattle removal and maintains that shooting cattle from a helicopter violates state and federal laws and regulations.
On Tuesday, the group filed with many partners a lawsuit against both the Forest Service and Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, seeking to stop the removal.
Plaintiffs claim that their private cattle would be killed if they were to sue. be “nearly impossible” It is important to be aware that the authorities intend to permit the carcasses to decay where they have died.
Loren Patterson, the association’s president, said he wished the authorities would address the cause of the growing feral cattle population by taking measures such as repairing shoddy fences that allow cattle to enter the Gila Wilderness.
“They are not looking at solving the reason the cattle is there,” Patterson stated that federal authorities had been opting instead for the lethal option for 2 consecutive years. quick fixes.
Some environmentalists think that wild cattle are a grave threat to rivers and wildlife. be Taken out at any cost
Robin Silver is the founder of Center for Biological Diversity in Arizona, an advocacy group which regularly files federal agency conservation lawsuits. “only way to accomplish what needs to be done there” To prevent further destruction of Gila Wilderness.
“The area is incredibly rugged, and it’s very difficult to get them out, even with the best wranglers,” Silver, Mr. “There should be no cows there, period.”
