![](https://projectcoyote.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/HPS-empty-box-100px.jpg)
CARNIVORE CONSERVATION
REPLACING KILLING WITH COEXISTENCE
In North America, wolves, coyotes, foxes and other species are under threat from government programs that are entrenched in a pattern of killing rather than coexistence. For example, more than 100,000 predators are killed in the U.S. each year by the U.S Department of Agriculture’s “Wildlife Services” agency, largely at the behest of ranchers and agribusiness.
Species targeted by these publicly funded government programs include coyotes, wolves, bears, mountain lions, foxes and bobcats. The coyote is by far the most persecuted carnivore in North America. At least half a million coyotes are killed every year in the U.S — one per minute — by federal, state and local governments as well as private individuals.
U.S taxpayers subsidize this carnage at the cost to taxpayers of more than 100 million dollars annually. Indiscriminate lethal control persists despite scientific evidence that it is misguided and ultimately ineffective.
Most of this killing is carried out in the name of “livestock protection” at the behest of agribusiness and private ranchers even though other non-lethal methods and models have been successfully employed.
Coyotes and other predators are also killed for their fur, for “sport,” and in “body-count” killing contests. Many states set no limit on the number of predators that may be killed, nor do they regulate the killing methods.
Our Carnivore Conservation & Coexistence program shifts the approach from killing to coexistence. While the coyote serves as our ambassador, program initiatives benefit all predators who fall victim to the same prejudice, misunderstanding and cruelty.
We advocate for reforms within government agencies, especially USDA Wildlife Services; abolition of unethical practices such as predator killing contests, trophy hunting and trapping, and “penning”; strong enforcement of the Endangered Species Act for imperiled predators like wolves, lynx and San Joaquin kit fox; and pursuit of legislative and judicial remedies when necessary.
![](https://projectcoyote.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/John_Harrison_Coyote_Pups.jpg)
Project Coyote has produced a new film to raise awareness and to inspire action to end this cruel and senseless slaughter of America’s native wildlife. Learn more…
Fear & Loathing: Travis County says goodbye to a coyote-killing machine
By Lindsay Stafford Mader, The Austin Chronicle December 2017
Mendocino County dumps federal killings of livestock predators
By Peter Firmrite, San Francisco Chronicle 4.26.16
The Rogue Agency; A USDA program that tortures dogs and kills endangered species
By Christopher Ketcham, Harpers March 2016
Wildlife Services and its eternal war on predators
By Ben Goldfarb, High Country News January 2016
The Marin County Livestock & Wildlife Protection Program:
A Non-Lethal Model for Coexistence
By Project Coyote April 2015
Executive Summary: Investigation of Wildlife Services
By Tom Knudson March 2015
Lawsuit by conservationists says U.S. agency indiscriminately kills Idaho wildlife
By Laura Zuckerman, Reuters 2.11.15
There’s a reason you’ve never heard of this wildlife-killing agency
By Tom Knudson, The Center for Investigative Reporting 2.4.15
Groups Sue NorCal County Over Work With Federal Wildlife Agency
By Chris Clarke, KCET 11.25.14
Ending America’s War on Wildlife
Project Coyote
By Camilla H. Fox, Earth Island Journal Autumn 2014
Agriculture’s Misnamed Agency
By The Editorial Board, New York Times 7.17.13
Davis cuts ties with Wildlife Services over coyote killings
By Tom Knudson, The Sacramento Bee 7.19.12
Ranchers shift from traps to dogs to fight coyotes
By Peter Firmrite, SF Gate 4.27.12