Groups oppose Oregon plan to kill ravens to save grouse

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) – Environmental advocates in Oregon have criticized a state plan to kill more than 1,000 ravens to help save the greater sage grouse.

The Oregonian/OregonLive reported Tuesday that the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife applied for permits in 2018 to kill up to 500 ravens per year over a three-year period to reduce the number preying upon greater sage grouse eggs.

Environmentalists say the strategy of putting poisoned chicken eggs in bait boxes in northeastern Oregon is flawed.

A director at the Portland Audubon Society says the plan is part of an “unfortunate pattern” of agencies scapegoating a species without addressing primary causes of decline.

The plan is opposed by numerous environmental groups including Oregon Wild, The Humane Society of the US and the Center for Biological Diversity.