Anti's Prepare to Strike at Trapping in the

[LifeNRA]

Anti's Prepare to Strike at Trapping in the Courts

A California-based animal rights group is threatening to bring lawsuits that would eliminate trapping in parts of New England and the Midwest.

On April 18, the Animal Protection Institute (API) announced its intention to file federal lawsuits against Maine and Minnesota if the states do not restrict trapping in vast areas populated by bald eagles, Canada lynx and gray wolves. The group claims the traps threaten the recovery of the protected species.

“The API is motivated by the possibility of eliminating trapping in Maine, Minnesota and across the country, not by the prospect of protecting endangered animals,” said U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance President Bud Pidgeon. “This suit could set a dangerous precedent that threatens all hunting.”

Animal rights groups previously used the Endangered Species Act to force the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife to suspend trapping with snares. The state’s coyote snaring program is still in limbo as state wildlife officials attempt to obtain incidental take permits from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to protect the state if any listed species are inadvertently injured or killed in a snare.

The U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance will continue to monitor the API’s actions and will vigorously fight to ensure the rights of trappers in Maine, Minnesota and nationwide.