Center for Biological Diversity

Media Advisory, July 24, 2017

Contact:  Kristin Ruether, (208) 440-1930, kruether@westernwatersheds.org 
Brooks Fahey, (541) 520-6003, brooks@predatordefense.org 
Bethany Cotton, (406) 414-7227, bcotton@wildearthguardians.org 
Andrea Santarsiere, (303) 854-7748, asantarsiere@biologicaldiversity.org 
Carson Barylak, (614) 266-9475, cbarylak@ifaw.org

Idahoans to Protest Dangerous Cyanide Bombs

BOISE, Idaho— Members of the public will make known their strong opposition to the use of M-44 cyanide bombs while protesting at “informational sessions” being held this week in three Idaho cities by U.S. Department of Agriculture's Wildlife Services program.

Protesters will tell Wildlife Services that it must make permanent the moratorium that began in March 2017 on all use of these indiscriminate and deadly devices on Idaho lands.

Earlier this year, a cyanide bomb placed near a residential area in Pocatello, Idaho exploded, killing a family dog and injuring 14-year-old Canyon Mansfield.  Wildlife Services temporarily halted the use of the devices in the wake of that incident and both wildlife and public safety advocates are concerned the agency may be holding these information sessions to placate critics while preparing to resume M-44 use.

M-44s are intended to kill coyotes, but they can also injure and kill people, pets, and unintended native wildlife.

WHAT:  Protests against Wildlife Services' M-44 cyanide bomb use outside the agency's information sessions.

WHEN AND WHERE:

  • Tuesday, July 25 at 6 p.m., Lewiston Community Center, 1424 Main St., Lewiston;
  • Wednesday, July 26 at 6 p.m., Holiday Inn Boise, 2970 West Elder St., Boise; and
  • Thursday, July 27 at 6 p.m., Idaho State University-Pond Student Union, 1065 Cesar Chavez, Pocatello

The Center for Biological Diversity is a national, nonprofit conservation organization with more than 1.3 million members and online activists dedicated to the protection of endangered species and wild places.

www.biologicaldiversity.org

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