Colorado Springs, CO…Responding to pressure from citizens and a federal lawsuit, the Colorado Springs Airport has notified Pikes Peak Wildlife Preservation Society et.al. that it has agreed not to kill any coyotes for a period of at least thirty days. During the 30 day period, representatives from the coalition of citizen's groups involved in the lawsuit (Pikes Peak Wildlife Preservation Society, Rocky Mountain Animal Defense, Sinapu, and Predator Defense Institute) intend to meet with airport officials to discuss non-lethal methods for keeping coyotes out of airport property.

"Let's face it, the coyotes don't know the airport is a restricted area so they pass through it just like any other area they have traditionally inhabited," says Gretchen Biggs, the coalition's lead counsel. "Killing random coyotes isn't going to accomplish any increase in safety at the airport. The airport obviously needs a long-term solution if it is concerned about coyotes posing a hazard to aircraft -a concern which is, frankly, grossly exaggerated. There has never been an instance of injury to a human being having been caused by an aircraft striking a coyote, despite thousands of coyotes inhabiting airports all over the United States and thousands of take-offs and landing from these airports every single day."

Connie Perham, Co-Founder of Pikes Peak Wildlife Preservation Society stated, "We are happy that the airport has agreed to this 30-day extension and look forward to meeting with airport officials to assist them with whatever is necessary to solve the coyote encroachment using a non-lethal method. We are prepared to assist the airport in writing proposals for funding, developing a campaign to defray costs, securing donation of materials, volunteer labor, and providing coordination and oversight of the project. The asphalt tailings that the airport had planned on using as a deterrent is actually more expensive and not as effective over time as the fencing system we are proposing which is already in use in several airports in the United States. In the interest of public safety and environmental balance, we want to find the most effective solution that will work for all parties."

"An out-of-court solution to public controversies is always preferable to litigation. We feel confident that the Airport wants to work things out with us, as shown by their agreement to suspend lethal activities for 30 days or more as a result of our lawsuit - and we're happy about that," states Gretchen Biggs.

Read our previous news release on this subject