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EPA Withdraws OK On 'Cyanide Bombs' For Wildlife Control

UPDATE 8/16: The EPA has withdrawn the decision to allow M-44's for wildlife control, according to NMPoliticalReport.com, saying the issue warrants further analysis. 

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The Environmental Protection Agency has approved the use of deadly cyanide ‘bombs’ for wildlife control. 

Animals like coyotes are often a problem for ranchers, and sodium cyanide filled canisters are one of the ways to keep cows and chickens safe. They are called M-44’s and they explode cyanide gas into the face of baited animals.

These ‘bombs’ are meant to target specific animals, like those pesky coyotes. But since 2010, 315 non-target animals were killed by the cyanide bombs in New Mexico according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture

Wildlife advocates had called for the bombs to be banned. 20,000 public comments were submitted, the majority of which didn’t like the M-44’s.

The EPA did tighten some restrictions for their use. They cannot be placed one hundred feet of a public road and signs must be placed within fifteen feet of where they’re set. 

Bryce Dix is our local host for NPR's Morning Edition.
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