Coalition urges an end to wildlife killings by USDA

"A coalition of 115 conservation, animal protection, ranching, and faith-based organizations from across the United States today sent a letter to President-elect Barack Obama's nominee for agriculture secretary asking that he halt the government slaughter of millions of wild animals, including wolves, coyotes, bears, cougars, and prairie dogs," according to the Environmental News Service. These groups argue that the killing of these animals is bad for the environment, because carnivores are "keystone species," and that money spent on the killings could be used to educate people to reduce contact with the animals. Former Iowa Gov, Tom Vilsack is Obama's choice for secretary of the U.S. Department of Agriculture. (Read more)