Update: 20 years after ALF raid, Utah coyote lab still active

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An update on the twice-targeted USDA Predator Research Facility in Utah.

On October 24th, 1992, the Animal Liberation Front set fire to an office at Utah State University, set fire to a second building at the nearby Predator Research Facility, and released dozens of coyotes from their pens. The coordinated action temporarily halted research at the nation’s only coyote research facility. According to some reports, 33 coyotes were never recovered (the USDA disputes this).

Seven years later, a second raid took place. As reported on Animal Liberation Frontline last week, an unpublicized action occurred in 1999 in which 20 coyotes were freed from pens, and an attempt was made to burn down a building.

This little-known research facility remains in operation today. Here is a look at the current state of the lab, and what we know about it.

An overview

Headed by serial coyote-killer Dr. Julie K. Young, the Predator Research Facility is the only government-funded coyote research lab in the country. It is a division of the USDA’s Animal Damage Control. Started in 1973, it has grown to cover 164 acres.

The facility imprisons 100 adult coyotes on site in outdoor pens. It is located just south of Utah State University “between Millville and Blacksmith Fork canyons” in Millville, Utah. The exact address is listed as 4200 South 600 East, Millville Utah 84326 .

What they do

Hiding behind benign language that states their intention is to “reduce human and wildlife contact,” in reality the operation is another federally-funded meat industry subsidy to protect rancher profits from impact by predators.

After their raid of the facility in 1992, the Animal Liberation Front stated the the purpose of the lab was to “totally control predator populations with poisons, traps and even tracking and eradication using radioactive isotopes.”

The experiments taking place there include the testing of coyote traps used by cattle ranchers. This is the USDA’s own description of their work:

• “Testing the effectiveness of various control methods such as aerial hunting, livestock guardian animals, frightening devices, livestock protection collars, and sterilization.
• Development and testing of coyote attractants and repellents.
• Improvement of traps and snares.”

How to get close to the site legally

There may be only one way to (legally) get close enough to the facility to see the coyotes: Each fall, the Predator Research Facility holds an “open house” which includes a tour that is open to the public.

The next tour is scheduled for Wednesday, October 19th from 4:30 pm and ending at 7:30. Tours start every 20 minutes.

Black bears also imprisoned

This year, after 40 years of housing only coyotes, black bears are now at the facility. The bears are used in studies to prevent rehabilitated bears from becoming what Dr. Young calls “conflict bears” once released. The details of the bear studies have not been made public.

Still open, still vulnerable

Photos of the USDA facility show a very accessible operation located on a public road, making it unsurprising it was twice the target of a nighttime raid by activists.

The lab has remained untouched by the ALF since 1999, yet its work imprisoning and killing coyotes continues.

Final words from the ALF

The words of the Animal Liberation Front after its 1992 raid should not be forgotten:

“Once more the ALF had proven that what could not be accomplished with years of protest, could be achieved with a handful of bravehearted warriors. Now it was time to wait for others to follow our lead.”