Tag: Badgers

Rodney Coronado and Journalist Formally Accused of Illegally Dismantling Trap

A federal complaint was issued this month against animal rights terrorist Rodney Coronado and Esquire journalist John Richardson who were arrested on March 24 for allegedly dismantling a mountain lion trap in Sabino Canyon, Arizona.

On March 9, 2004, the U.S. Forest Service closed Sabino Canyon and began setting traps for mountain lions after reports of aggressive lions in the area that were deemed a threat to public safety.

A trial in the case is scheduled for June 3, and Coronado and Richardson could face up to 6 months in jail if convicted.

Source:

Complaint: Writer Helped Disable Trap. Associated Press, March 10, 2004.

Activists Cause Widespread Damage to Traps Used in Badger Study

In 1998, the United Kingdom began a study designed to determine what role badgers play in transmitting bovine tuberculosis. According to a report in the Western Morning News, that study has been repeatedly disrupted by animal rights activists who have destroyed thousands of traps used in the study.

Badgers are a protected species in the UK, but the study protocol allows limited trapping and killing of badgers in areas that have been hit hard by bovine tuberculosis. Badgers can carry bovine tuberculosis but the extent to which the animals are responsible for outbreaks of the disease in the UK is hotly disputed.

According to the Western Morning News, about 5,600 badgers have been killed as part of the study since 1998.

The Western Morning News quoted an unnamed spokesman for the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs who said that over the last 6 years of the study, 7,882 traps have had to be repaired or replaced after being damaged by animal rights activist at a total cost of £394,000. The study itself cost £6.5 million.

Source:

Activists Damage Thousands Of Traps. Western Morning News, January 12, 2004.