EPA Approves Deadly Poisons to Kill Prairie Dogs
Jonathan Proctor Rocky Mountain Region Representative Defenders of Wildlife
The cause of their deaths: the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) shocking approval of the use of two incredibly toxic poisons known to cause wildlife deaths well beyond their intended use -- Rozol and the morbidly named Kaput-D.
Prairie dogs are an essential part of healthy prairie ecosystems; they are a food source for predators, maintain short vegetation, and dig burrows that many other animals also use. But these keystone mammals already have been eradicated from more than 95% of their historic range across the Great Plains!
Scientists at the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service have questioned the EPA’s approval of Rozol and Kaput-D, citing serious concerns about the effects of these poisons on prairie ecosystems -- and especially on highly endangered black footed ferrets and imperiled swift fox, burrowing owls, bald and golden eagles and other wildlife linked to prairie dogs in the food chain.
Yet these poisons are now being used to kill prairie dogs, threatening many of the imperiled prairie bids and mammals that we’ve fought so hard to rescue from extinction.
Last week, we filed a lawsuit with our local allies at Audubon of Kansas challenging the use of Rozol and Kaput-D. We face a tough fight ahead as we take on the lawyers at the EPA and the well-funded legal teams of the makers of these poisons.
Rozol and Kaput-D can take weeks to kill a poisoned prairie dog, making them easy prey as they become disoriented and slowly lose bodily function.
And, because these poisons can linger in a prairie dog’s carcass for weeks, animals like black-footed ferrets and birds that feed on dead or dying prairie dogs or live in contaminated burrows (as burrowing owls often do) can also inadvertently become poisoned and share the same grim fate.
The effects of Rozol and Kaput-D are widespread and dangerous. Will you help us fight in court to end the misuse of these deadly poisons and protect America's prairie wildlife?
Help Us Fight for
Prairie Dogs
Rozol and Kaput-D -- two poisons approved to kill prairie dogs like this -- can cause horrible deaths for prairie dogs, endangered black-footed ferrets and other imperiled wildlife.
Please help us raise $25,000 to save prairie dogs and other imperiled wildlife by Friday October 9th!
For the Wild Ones,
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Jonathan Proctor Rocky Mountain Region Representative Defenders of Wildlife |