The USDA’s Wildlife Service killed four million animals in 2013

Last year’s cull included more than 300 wolves, 75,000 coyotes, 400 bears, 800 bobcats, 500 river otters, 3,500 foxes, 12,000 prairie dogs and four eagles.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Wildlife Service is responsible for settling human/wildlife conflicts, but it is not immediately clear why the number of animals culled shifts by several million from year to year.

Many of the animals killed are invasive species, but according to a release from the Center for Biological Diversity two million native animals were culled last year. That number represents an increase of nearly 500,000 animals since 2012.

Last year’s cull included more than 300 wolves, 75,000 coyotes, 400 bears, 800 bobcats, 500 river otters, 3,500 foxes, 12,000 prairie dogs and four eagles. In total, since 2006, the program has killed 26 million native non-invasive animals.

“Rather than dialing back in the face of criticism, the program that has the nerve to call itself ‘Wildlife Services’ seems to be putting its foot on the pedal in its systematic slaughter of America’s wild animals. These numbers pull back the veil on a staggering killing campaign, bankrolled by taxpayers, that’s happening every day beyond the view of most Americans,” said Amy Atwood, a senior attorney at the Center for Biological Diversity.

Since 2013, the center has been circulating a petition asking the Department of Agriculture to change its rules to reduce the number of animals killed and to create more openness and transparency in its process.


“As wildlife damage increases, requests for assistance also increase,” Wildlife Service spokeswoman Carol Bannerman told The Washington Post. However, no other details or explanations were immediately available.

At least one member of Congress, Rep. Peter A. DeFazio (D-Ore.), has called the agency one of the most obstinate and opaque organizations he has dealt with.

The USDA Killed 4 Million Animals in 2013, But It's Not Clear Why.