Other operations can be carried out if the 150 cattle are not eliminated during this campaign. – Photo credit: ALAIN MAFART-RENODIER / Biosphoto / Biosphoto via AFP
A campaign to cull wild cattle from helicopters is being organized in the Gila National Forest in the United States from February 23-26.
“It is a difficult but necessary decision. In New Mexico’s Gila National Forest, feral cows pose such a threat – to both residents and biodiversity – that authorities have decided to launch a massive cull campaign there. Just so as not to endanger their personnel, it was decided to carry out this mission directly from the air in a helicopter, as reported by CNN journalists. The goal is to kill 150 animals.
Cattle accused of attacking hikers, whose trampling would cause erosion and sedimentation of the banks, thereby affecting water quality. “Removing wild livestock from the Gila Wilderness is necessary to protect public safety, habitats of threatened and endangered species, water quality and the natural character of the area,” say the rangers.
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These feral cows and bulls have actually been a problem since the 1970’s. According to the Forest Service, around that time a farmer decided to abandon his herd in this protected wilderness area, causing the cattle to become feral and dangerous. Also, “the difficult terrain of the forest and the ‘wild and uncooperative nature of the animals’ make capturing live cattle difficult and dangerous for animals and humans alike. […] Continue reading
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