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EPA Withdraws OK On 'Cyanide Bombs' For Wildlife Control

UPDATE 8/16: The EPA has withdrawn the decision to allow M-44's for wildlife control, according to , saying the issue warrants further analysis. 

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The has approved the use of deadly cyanide ‘bombs’ for wildlife control. 

Animals like coyotes are often a problem for ranchers, and sodium cyanide filled canisters are one of the ways to keep cows and chickens safe. They are called M-44’s and they explode cyanide gas into the face of baited animals.

These ‘bombs’ are meant to target specific animals, like those pesky coyotes. But since 2010, 315 non-target animals were killed by the cyanide bombs in New Mexico . 

Wildlife advocates had called for the bombs to be banned. , the majority of which didn’t like the M-44’s.

The EPA did tighten some restrictions for their use. They cannot be placed one hundred feet of a public road and signs must be placed within fifteen feet of where they’re set. 

Bryce Dix is our local host for NPR's Morning Edition.
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