Lethal wildlife management occurs when entire populations of wild animals are targeted for reduction and systematically “controlled” by legal hunting, culling, poisoning, or other means to bring down population size. Despite claims that they are “science-based,” such practices are highly controversial.
Conflicts with wildlife can range from concerns about deer affecting forest biodiversity to sea lions eating salmon that people want for themselves.
Lethal control raises some of the most challenging ethical questions we can ask about our relationship with the natural world.
Is it "right" to round up and kill geese because they defecate on lawns? Should we kill mountain lions because they eat deer people want to hunt? Is it right to poison ground squirrels because they dig burrows in our parks?
There was a time when such questions would not even have been asked. But today it's time to not only ask the right questions, but find the right solutions.
Wildlife Services: Stop Poisoning Predators
The U.S. government poisons as many as 100,000 coyotes, foxes, and other predators every year to keep ranchers and other parties happy. The problem: it's cruel, expensive, and ineffective. Help us stop the killing.
Learn MoreNews & Events
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May 23, 2012
The HSUS Releases Statement on the Fatal Mountain Lion Shooting in Santa Monica
Jennifer Fearing, California senior state director for The HSUS, issued a statement in response to news reports of a mountain lion who was shot and killed by police after wandering into a busy Santa Monica shopping area.
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May 16, 2012
The HSUS Teaches Bloomington, Minn. Residents how to Prevent Conflicts with Coyotes
The HSUS, in collaboration with the City of Bloomington Animal Control, held an educational seminar to instruct Bloomington residents about nonlethal techniques that they can use to prevent conflicts with coyotes.
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May 10, 2012
The HSUS Urges Salina, N.Y. to Adopt a Humane Program for Managing Coyote Conflicts
The Humane Society of the United States is encouraging the town board of Salina, N.Y. to adopt a humane program for managing conflicts with coyotes, rather than resorting to ineffective, lethal measures.
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May 7, 2012
The Humane Society of the United States Urges USDA to Reform Wildlife Services Program
In response to revelations in a recent investigative series published in the Sacramento Bee, The HSUS sent a letter to U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack urging the U.S. Department of Agriculture to take swift action to address the most critical problems with its Wildlife Services program.
Our Victories
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May 7, 2012
Tricksy Beavers, Foxy Babies: HSUS Wildlife News Bulletin
The latest on all things wildlife, in 200 words or less.
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March 27, 2012
Maryland Senate Passes Bill to Ban Shark Fin Trade
The Humane Society of the United States and Humane Society International applaud the Maryland state Senate for passing landmark legislation that will end Maryland’s contribution to the cruel, wasteful and unsustainable trade in shark fin.
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March 1, 2012
The HSUS and Predator Defense Institute Commend OSU Decision to Deactivate Snares
The HSUS, Predator Defense and Oregon State University alumni commended the decision by the university to deactivate lethal snares set around its sheep research facility in Corvallis, Ore.
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February 17, 2012
Environmental Protection Agency Announces First Fertility Control Vaccine Approved for Wild Horses in the United States