Wildlife Services Factsheet

May 2010
Protecting People
Protecting Agriculture M-44 Device for
Protecting Wildlife Local Predator Control
Wildlife Services (WS), a The M-44 ejector device is an effective and environmentally sound wildlife
program within the U.S. damage management tool. The spring-activated device delivers a dose
of cyanide powder to targeted animals. It uses a cyanide capsule that is
Department of Agricultures
registered as a restricted-use pesticide by the Environmental Protection
(USDA) Animal and Plant Agency (EPA). The device can be used only by trained certified applicators.
Health Inspection Service WS is authorized to use M-44 cyanide capsules to control coyotes, wild
(APHIS), provides Federal (feral) dogs, and red, gray, and arctic foxes which are: suspected of preying
leadership and expertise upon livestock, poultry, or federally designated threatened and endangered
species; or are vectors of communicable disease. The programs use of
to resolve wildlife damage
M-44 devices strictly conforms to EPA label instructions, directions, and
that threatens the Nations use-restrictions; applicable Federal, State, and local laws and regulations;
agricultural and natural and agency and program directives and policies.
resources, human health and WS personnel do not use M-44s on any property unless requested
safety, and property. by the lands owner or manager; a valid written cooperative agreement,
agreement for control, Memoranda of Agreement, or other applicable
Using an integrated approach document must be in place.
that combines a variety of
science-based methods, the
How an M-44 Works
The M-44 ejector device consists of four components: a capsule holder
program assists agricultural
wrapped with cloth, wool, or other soft material; a cyanide capsule (small
producers and others
plastic container holding sodium cyanide); a spring-activated ejector; and
experiencing damage from a 5 to 7 inch stake. In the field, the stake is inserted with the top flush
predators. with the grounds surface. With the ejector cocked and set, the capsule is
inserted into its holder and screwed onto the ejector. The ejector is secured
into the stake. Specially formulated fetid bait or other scent material, which
elicits a bite and pull response by the target animal, is smeared on the
wrapped capsule holder.

The M-44 ejector device

consists of a capsule holder
wrapped with soft material, a
small plastic container holding
sodium cyanide, a spring-
activated ejector, and a stake.
Bilingual warning signs mark
the placement of each device.
 The M-44 device is triggered
when a canid (i.e. coyote or wild
dog) tugs on the baited capsule
holder, releasing the plunger and A Wildlife Services
ejecting sodium cyanide powder biologist places a
into the animals mouth. The warning sign near
sodium cyanide quickly reacts
an M-44 device.
with moisture in the animals
mouth, releasing hydrogen The devices are
cyanide gas. Unconsciousness, checked at least
followed by death, is very quick, weekly.
normally within 1 to 5 minutes
after the device is triggered.
Animals killed by sodium
cyanide appear to show no overt
signs of distress or pain.
WS personnel place M-44s along game and those with sheep and goats. In a 2004 survey of
livestock trails, ridges, fence lines, seldom-used ranch producers, the National Agricultural Statistics Service
roads, coyote and fox natural travel ways, rendezvous (NASS) found that coyotes nationwide killed an
sites, and territorial marking sites/locations. Bilingual estimated 135,600 sheep and lambs worth a total
signs (Spanish/English) mark the general area and of $10.7 million. Dogs and foxes accounted for an
placement location of each M-44. Trained personnel additional 34,000 lamb and sheep deaths worth $3.1
inspect each M-44 at least weekly. Used mostly in the million. According to the same NASS survey, an
winter and spring, M-44s may be used year-round in estimated 155,000 goats were killed by predators (of
some locations. When not in use, they are stored in all kinds). Based on the surveys data, WS estimates
secured, locked locations. that the number of goats in the survey killed by canids
could total approximately 117,000 animals, valued at
Use-Restrictions about $12.1 million.
In addition to the main product label instructions and Coyotes and dogs also attack and kill cattle and
directions, EPA mandates 26 use-restrictions, which calves. A 2005 NASS survey found that coyotes killed
provide guidance for the application, storage, disposal, an estimated 97,000 head worth $43.9 million; dogs
and training requirements; safety; and necessary killed an estimated 21,900 cattle and calves valued
recordkeeping. Individual State pesticide regulatory at nearly $10.8 million. Canids also kill thousands of
agencies also can require additional restrictions on the swine, pet dogs and cats, equines, chickens, turkeys,
use of M-44s in their jurisdiction. ducks, geese, and other birds every year.
After studying a petition to ban the M-44, EPA
Agricultural and Ecological Damage determined that predation accounts for a significant
Coyotes, foxes, and feral dogs cause substantial portion of premature livestock losses. EPA found that
damage to livestock and poultry producers, particularly the use of M-44s have significant benefits in reducing

The M-44 cyanide capsule is an EPA-registered, restricted-use

pesticide for coyote, fox, and wild dog control.
predation on livestock without negative long-term All applicators are required to carry an antidote kit when
impact on the target predators or other nontarget applying or inspecting M-44s. No human fatalities have
species. been associated with WS use of M-44s.
In addition to agricultural damage, predators can Because of potential security issues related to
also limit the recovery of threatened and endangered hazardous materials, WS personnel take appropriate
species. Placing a dollar value on any threatened and security measure in the handling and storing of
endangered species is difficult; even the loss of only M-44s. In a 200709 review, EPA consulted with the
one animal can be catastrophic to a local population Department of Homeland Security and agreed that it is
or species. The Aleutian Canada goose has been not necessary for security reasons to cease the use of
removed from endangered species lists specifically M-44s as a wildlife damage management tool.
because predation by arctic foxes has been managed
by WS using various predation control methods, Nontarget Hazards
including M-44s. The device also has been useful in To prevent harmful environmental effects, WS assesses
protection of the Rocky Mountain experimental flock the potential impact of its activities before using any
of whooping cranes. Although M-44 devices have wildlife damage management tool, including the
not been used often for threatened and endangered M-44. In placing M-44s, program personnel use
species protection, it is available to natural resource their expertise in animal ecology and consider animal
managers as a vital predator management option when behavior patterns to minimize the risk of attracting
warranted. nontarget animals. The use of specialized baits and
lures attractive to target animals minimizes that risk.
Environmental Safety and Security Placing M-44s near where depredations occur or at
locations frequently visited by the target species further
M-44 devices and cyanide capsules pose no
enhances target selectivity.
significant environmental risk. Each capsule
contains approximately 0.03 ounce (0.97 gram) of Because of the M-44s mechanical design, the
the compound (0.88 gram of sodium cyanide and device is triggered by pulling straight up, which makes
0.09 gram of inert ingredients). Contact with carbon it extremely selective for targeted canid. From 1996
dioxide and acids in the soil rapidly dissipates the to 2006, more than 97 percent of the animals killed
active ingredient into gas if, for some reason, capsule by WS use of M-44s were target species listed on the
contents spill onto the soil. If carbon dioxide and acids product label.
are not present in the soil, the sodium cyanide filters The risk of secondary poisoning to scavengers
through the soil and is degraded by micro-organisms is nonexistent. The M-44s cyanide powder causes
or other mechanisms. Research by WS National chemical asphyxiation and blocks the use of oxygen
Wildlife Research Center indicates that the toxic effects in the target animals blood. As a result, scavenger
of cyanide are extremely short-lived because cyanide animals are not harmed because virtually no poison
decomposes within 24 hours into harmless byproducts. remains in the tissue of an animal killed by the M-44.
Bioaccumulation is extremely unlikely because the WS takes great care in its use of M-44s and
material is metabolized immediately. in ensuring that its efforts do not jeopardize any
To protect M-44 applicators against the unlikely threatened and endangered species or any other
event of exposure, amyl nitrite is available as an antidote. species. M-44s are not used where federally listed

Animals killed by M-44s show no overt signs of distress or pain.

No secondary poisoning hazards are associated with M-44s.
threatened and endangered animal species might be other factors. These factors are evaluated and used to
adversely affected. In accordance with the National formulate strategies that may include use of one or more
Environmental Policy Act, the use and potential impacts nonlethal or lethal techniques. Environmental analysis
of M-44s have been fully analyzed in a programmatic has concluded that WS integrated management
environmental impact statement and in numerous approach, including the use of M-44, has not adversely
environmental assessments. Continuing consultations impacted any target or nontarget species populations,
with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service further ensure including threatened and endangered species.
that WS use of M-44 cyanide capsules will not
adversely impact any federally listed threatened and Additional Information
endangered species or their critical habitat. For more information about this and other WS
programs or to request assistance from a WS State
Integrated Management office, please telephone 1-866-4USDA-WS or contact
WS addresses damage using an integrated wildlife the WS Operational Support Staff at (301) 851-4009.
damage management approach. In selecting control Additionally, you can contact WS by mail at: USDA,
techniques for specific wildlife damage situations, APHIS, WS, 4700 River Road, Unit 87, Riverdale, MD
damage is confirmed and assessed. Personnel then 20737.
consider the species responsible, frequency and You can also find information on WS programs
extent of the damage, status of the species, local by visiting our Web site at www.aphis.usda.gov/wildlife_
environmental conditions, environmental impacts, and damage/.

United States Department of Agriculture

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

The U.S. Department of Agriculture is an equal opportunity provider and employer.