Jul 12, 2006 2:04 pm US/Mountain
Wildlife Commission To Discuss Explosive Gases
FORT COLLINS, Colo. (AP) ―
The state Wildlife Commission will meet in Fort Collins Thursday to discuss a proposal allowing the use of explosive gases to kill prairie dogs, ground squirrels, gophers, marmots and other burrowing creatures.
The gases, such as a mix of oxygen and propane, could be injected inside the burrows and then ignited, delivering a shock wave that kills the animals and collapses their tunnels.
In Colorado, it is illegal to use explosives to kill wildlife, a misdemeanor punishable by a $200 fine. But organic-produce farmers who are interested the gases have approached wildlife officials to consider a rule change.
"This is a way for them to avoid using toxic substances to help them remain certified as organic," said Colorado Division of Wildlife spokesman Tim Holeman. "It's a new tool for them."
Midvale, Idaho-based Meyer Industries -- which sells a device that is a blend of 97 percent oxygen and 3 percent propane -- said Colorado is the only state it doesn't do business, but people here are still voicing an interest in it.
"We've been flooded with calls from Colorado," said Meyer Industries president Ed Meyer.
Conservation groups say the idea is barbaric and they plan to oppose it.
"You're talking about something that's just as powerful as TNT and dangerous to the user," said Judy Enderle, president of the Prairie Preservation Alliance. "It's just another thinly veiled attempt to kill wildlife for no reason."
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