More dollars to deal with these destructive invasives might get into federal budget-
The Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) gives the good news that federal appropriations might go up this year for feral hog control despite sequesters, debt limit confrontations, austerity programs, etc.
USDA-Wildlife Services, an agency which most conservationists have a low opinion, would get more money to kill the ground churning swine rather than our native wildlife under the Obama budget. The budget has a long way to go, however, and could be changed by many amendments. In recent years, Congress has often been unable to write a budget at all resulting a government running on a continuing resolution from the past years’ budgets. There is hope that some Republicans will support this since the feral pigs damage a lot of “red state” agriculture and wildlife.
Here is the NRDC blog that discusses the opportunities and perils of this budgetary proposal. A New Mission for Wildlife Services? Feral Swine Is a Better Target Than Native Wildlife. May 23. Andrew Wetzler’s Blog.
Comments
In the best of all worlds,despite sequesters, debt limit confrontations, austerity programs, etc., the money would be diverted from killing wolves, bears, cats, etc. to the feral pigs.
But that’s probably too much to hope for. In all probability, they’ll get ADDITIONAL money — despite sequesters, debt limit confrontations, austerity programs, etc.
And the WS empire will get bigger and more entrenched than it already is.
Finally, something actually beneficial for Wildlife Services to do!
WS should increase their focus on feral swine and other invasive species but only by diverting $ from their other activities. They should not be no excluded from the budget cuts and worker furloughs hitting other federal agencies.
If only we could find an animal, preferably an apex predator, that would eat feral hogs, armadillos, and raccoons, while being of little risk to both cattle and humans. It would be a huge plus for it to be native to the south, and maybe even endangered in some areas (big plus)….all the while charging absolutely nothing for its services and dedicating itself fulltime to the job. If only….
.all the while charging absolutely nothing for its services and dedicating itself fulltime to the job. If only….
If only…
Just as long as the ranching is involved in this, not much will change for the wolf, mountain lion, and of course bears ,coyote’s etc. They still have the basic function is to kill to get rid of the species. Why not food with something to make the animal sterile, they have it for rats and is really used I DO NOT KNOW WHY ?
I brought this up before in Cape May New Jersey. They had a raccoon problem, possible rabies. So they put out food laced with a chemical so raccoons could not produce. To the best of my knowledge it worked, so why not try a different approach.
The entire agency needs to be gutted. Then started over with a new purpose that excludes predator slaughter.
You can’t have it both ways.
I just came across the article and wonder why anyone assumes if the USDA WS gets money to kill feral pigs they won’t still be killing all their usual victims. Why do you think they will not just hire more people and kill more animals?
“USDA-Wildlife Services, an agency which most conservationists have a low opinion, would get more money to kill the ground churning swine rather than our native wildlife under the Obama budget.”