Path: utzoo!attcan!uunet!edsews!edsdrd!gss From: gss@edsdrd.eds.com (Gary Schiltz) Newsgroups: rec.birds Subject: Crow poisoning Message-ID: <102@kepsalu.edsdrd.eds.com> Date: 12 Jul 90 15:18:24 GMT Distribution: na Organization: EDS Research and Development, Auburn Hills, MI 48057 Lines: 70 NOTE: It isn't my habit to post animal rights stuff to this newsgroup, but since this pertains to birds, I hope no one is offended. I am an avid birder (and reader of rec.birds) and a great fan of crows, and feel they are one of the most intelligent and interesting species of birds around. I just read of the proposed poisoning of a roost of 200,000 crows in California. To say the least, I am opposed to this, and am writing letters to that effect. I must also note that my information is from PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals), a group which although I support, often leans further toward the reactionary side of the "Environmentalist" spectrum than I am comfortable with. I don't feel they are reactionary in this situation. In any case, "Buyer Beware." The following article is quoted without permission from PETA News, July/August 1990: --------------------------- BEGIN QUOTED ARTICLE ----------------------------- PETA SAYS: POISONING OF CROWS NOT SO SWEET For as long as can be remembered, the crow has roosted in what were once the safe confines of Yuba City, California. Many local residents still thrill to see these beautiful birds gathering for their annual social gala, picking their mates and building nests in preparation for raising their young. Now, due to the suburbanization of Yuba City, the Sutter County Department of Agriculture (SCDA) is preparing to poison about 200,000 crows. The intended poison, Starlicide, would devastate the crows, causing thousands to suffer and die, with family groups torn apart. The poison is not even approved for crows. Purina Mills, the manufacturer, claims that the amount of poison necessary to produce the "desired kill ratio" would have to be used in such large amounts that secondary poisonings to other species could be catastrophical. The crows are attracted to a single acre walnut grove next to Sunsweet Growers, Inc. This year, the SCDA planned to place the poison on Sunsweet Growers' roof. Under pressure from PETA, Sun Diamond Growers, Inc., Sunsweet's parent company, has told us it will not permit any poison to be placed on its properties, but it refuses to put this promise in writing. Although the SCDA has access to a list of non-lethal, readily available and cost-effective alternatives to poisoning, the department firmly defends poison. As a result, PETA is exploring legal action. Safeguarding the environment and protecting wildlife go hand in hand. The current "quick fix" trend of killing off individuals of a species, just because of the human lust for shopping malls and luxury housing on dwindling natural habitat, must be stopped. Learning to peacefully coexist is a goal all government agencies, private industries and individual citizens must share. To the crows in Yuba City, it is a goal that _must_ be reached now. What YOU Can Do * Write Sun Diamond Growers, Inc. at 1050 S. Diamond, Stockton, CA 95201 and let them know that you _strongly_ oppose allowing poison to be placed on their property to kill crows. * Write Mayor Dennis Nelson at the Yuba City Hall, 2040 C St., Yuba, CA 95991 or call him at (916) 741-4609 and tell him that if he absolutely must attempt to remove the crows, he should seek safe, alternative methods. * Also write Stacy Carlsen, Sutter County Agricultural Commissioner, 142 Garden Hwy., Yuba City, CA 95991. --------------------------- END QUOTED ARTICLE ----------------------------- /\ What cheer, /\ | Gary Schiltz, EDS R&D, 3551 Hamlin Road | / o< cheer,