Key takeaways:
- The U.S. Forest Service has announced a plan to shoot wild cattle from helicopters in New Mexico beginning next week.
- The decision to shoot the cattle from helicopters has been met with criticism from some animal rights activists.
- The operation is expected to begin next week and will continue until the cattle population is reduced to a safe level.
The U.S. Forest Service has announced a plan to shoot wild cattle from helicopters in New Mexico beginning next week. The operation is scheduled to start on February 23 and last through the weekend, with the Gila Wilderness Ranger District in the Gila National Forest closed from February 20 to February 26.
An estimated 150 wild cattle roam the federal lands of western New Mexico, home to mountain peaks and deep canyons. The Gila National Forest issued the decision in response to pressure from environmental groups who raised concerns about the cattle’s impact on the nation’s first designated wilderness area.
The Forest Service staff will be responsible for ensuring that the downed cattle do not contaminate waterways or block trails. A helicopter with a shooter will fly over the Gila Wilderness in southwestern New Mexico to search for and kill the feral cows.
The decision to shoot the cattle from helicopters has been met with criticism from some animal rights activists, who argue that the cattle should be relocated instead of killed. However, Forest Service officials maintain that the cattle pose a threat to the environment and visitors, and that shooting them from helicopters is the most effective way to address the problem.
The Gila National Forest is a popular destination for hikers, campers, and wildlife watchers, and the Forest Service is committed to protecting the area and its visitors. The operation is expected to begin next week and will continue until the cattle population is reduced to a safe level.
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