More than a hundred feral cattle will be targeted by hunters in helicopters by order of the U.S. Forest Service.
The wild cows roam Gila National Forest in southwest New Mexico. Officials said the livestock “are not domesticated animals and pose a significant threat to public safety and natural resources,” ABC News reported.
The wildlife reserve will be closed while the hunt happens, which is scheduled to start on Feb. 23. People are being told to stay away from the area.
“This has been a difficult decision, but the lethal removal of feral cattle from the Gila Wilderness is necessary to protect public safety, threatened and endangered species habitats, water quality, and the natural character of the Gila Wilderness,” forest supervisor Camille Howes, told ABC News. “The feral cattle in the Gila Wilderness have been aggressive towards wilderness visitors, graze year-round, and trample stream banks and springs, causing erosion and sedimentation. This action will help restore the wilderness character of the Gila Wilderness enjoyed by visitors from across the country.”
Environmental groups have pressured the forest service to do something about the 150 cows that are, in their opinion, damaging streams and rivers, The Associated Press reported.
But others say that the culling of the herd by helicopter equates to animal cruelty and violates federal regulations, the AP reported.
The dead animals will also remain where they fall and be left to decompose naturally, ABC News reported.
“Forest Service staff will ensure no carcasses are adjacent to or in any waterbody or spring, designated hiking trail, or known culturally sensitive area. A wilderness minimum requirements decision guide has been completed and approved before using any methods otherwise prohibited under the Wilderness Act,” a statement from the Forest Service stated, according to ABC News.
Members of the New Mexico Cattle Growers Association said the culling is offensive.
“It was offensive to learn of the Service’s decision after over a year’s worth of discussions to prevent further killing,” association president Loren Patterson, said in a statement, according to UPI. “Today’s meeting proved the Service is willing to bypass all stakeholder input and effectively turn their backs on sound reasoning. Out of the six groups represented (in the meeting), the Forest Service is the only one in favor of aerial operations.”
The association said it will try to stop the shoot, saying it is unlawful and the plan doesn’t give them enough time to try to get the cattle back to their grazing lands, the AP reported.
This is not the first time that wild cattle have been killed. Last year a Forest Service contractor killed 65 cows in an operation like the one scheduled for next week, the AP reported.
