In Albuquerque, New Mexico, the Kirtland Air Force Base has poisoned prairie dogs, whom they consider to be a nuisance and an inconvenience. This poisoning is taking place despite the fact that both Albuquerque Mayor Martin Chavez and the management at the Albuquerque International Sunport are urging the base to humanely relocate the animals. On the base itself, officials indicate that they have used non-lethal relocation techniques in the past to address perceived conflicts with prairie dogs. Why they decided to poison the animals in this case is therefore especially puzzling. Poisoning prairie dogs is inhumane, unnecessary and may also harm or kill other "non-target" wildlife, including the burrowing owls also present on the base. In addition, the poisoning sends a message to base families and members of neighboring communities that it's ok to simply kill wildlife that gets in the way.
WHAT YOU CAN DO:
Please take a moment and write to Air Force officials, and urge them to stop the poisoning at Kirtland AFB. Ask them to instead relocate prairie dogs when necessary and/or use non-lethal management techniques–such as visual barriers and raptor perches–to help stop the prairie dogs from spreading to areas where they are not wanted.
General Lester Lyles
4375 Chulaw Road
Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, 45433-5600
Cc your letters to:
The Honorable James G. Roche
Secretary of the Air Force
1670 Air Force Pentagon
Washington DC 20330-1670
You can also send thanks to the mayor for standing up for the prairie dogs:
Mayor Martin
Chavez, City of Albuquerque
PO Box 1293
Albuquerque, NM, 87103
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