As we celebrate #EarthDay and the importance of preserving our planet’s biodiversity, we must also shed light on the damaging realities of wildlife “management” practices. Wildlife Services, often known as the killing arm of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, recently published their 2023 program data. The numbers are as staggering as always with ‼️ 1.4 million animals killed ‼️ nationwide last year. Wild carnivores, as usual, were among the most heavily targeted species in 2023. ‼️ LAST YEAR, YOUR TAX DOLLARS PAID TO KILL: ‼️ 2,246 Red, Gray, & Kit Foxes 482 Bobcats 68,649 Coyotes 2 Mexican Gray Wolves 305 Gray Wolves 237 Mountain Lions 437 Black Bears 6 Grizzly Bears Tragically, these numbers are likely underestimated as program insiders have long claimed that Wildlife Services consistently underreports animals killed. What’s worse, is that Wildlife Services uses M-44 cyanide bombs, neck snares, foothold traps, and aerial gunning in their “lethal arsenal” — methods as cruel as they are indiscriminate. These reckless practices resulted in the unintentional killing of federally protected species, as well as many other species including 658 river otters, 443 raccoons, 379 snapping turtles, and 91 gray foxes. Project Coyote has been working for nearly 16 years to reform and raise awareness about this rogue federal agency and their outdated and inhumane practices. We need YOUR help to strengthen this movement! 🚫 Urge your Senator to ban M-44 cyanide bombs on public lands: https://projectcoyote.org/help-us-ban-cyanide-bombs-on-public-lands/ 🧡 Consider a donation to create a more compassionate world for wild lives: https://act.projectcoyote.org/a/donate 🌎 Share this reel to spread the word! #TaxDay #Taxes #CompassionateCoexistence #Wildlife #Coyotes #Wolves #Bobcats #Bears #Foxes #Coyotes #Dogs #Cats Data source: USDA Program Data Report