Jeff Larson: Misuse of National Wildlife Refuges

To the Editor:

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service claims that trapping is allowed on Wildlife Refuges for the purpose of protecting migratory birds and endangered species. The truth is that inhumane body-gripping traps are mostly used for collecting animal pelts for commercialized fur use, as well as for sport and recreation.

These traps, of course, cannot identify or select animals, and threatened species such as the bald eagle are often victims.

Do I really need to say it? This negates the entire purpose of having a protected sanctuary for wildlife.

Wild animals in National Wildlife Refuges should be safe from cruel and unnatural threats.

The Refuge From Cruel Trapping Act (H.R. 3710) would make it illegal to trap wildlife on any refuge within the National Wildlife Refuge System. It would insure the viability of these animals in the wild, and allow for threatened and endangered species to have a safe haven where they could continue to live and proliferate without threat to them or their young.

Please urge your Representative(s) to co-sponsor and pass H.R. 3710, to end the use of body-gripping traps in the National Wildlife Refuges.

-Jeff Larson
Fargo