(Los Angeles) US authorities will try to kill 150 wild cows, considered “aggressive” and dangerous to the fauna and flora of a western forest, by shooting them from a helicopter, they announced. Friday.
The operation will be carried out by specialized agents who will fly over the Gila National Forest in the state of New Mexico between Thursday and Sunday.
“It was a difficult decision to make, but the removal of feral livestock from the area is necessary in order to ensure public safety, (protect) the habitats of threatened and endangered species […] said Gila National Forest official Camille Howes.
“The wild cattle of the Gila forest have been aggressive towards walkers,” she also warned in a statement.
According to forest authorities, shooting cows from the air is “the most efficient and humane way to deal with this problem”.
This method has already been used in “predator damage management operations” to “eradicate” targeted populations like coyotes in New Mexico, the US Wildlife Services said. State in a statement.