The M-44 Sodium Cyanide Ejector Mechanism

Wildlife Services 

September 2002

The M–44 is a wildlife damage management tool used by the Wildlife Services (WS) program of the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) to protect livestock, poultry, and threatened and endangered species from predation by foxes, coyotes, and feral dogs.  In addition, the M–44 is registered for the control of communicable disease vectors, such as coyotes that carry rabies.
 
The M–44 is an effective, environmentally sound tool registered by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and used only by trained and certified applicators.  There are 26 EPA–mandated use restrictions governing the use of M–44's.  All M–44's used in WS field operations are well marked and are checked by trained personnel at least once a week.  
 
M–44's are used primarily for coyote damage management.  They are placed along game trails, livestock trails, ridges, near seldom-used ranch roads, and along fencelines.  The M–44 is used mostly in the winter and spring but in some locations it is used throughout the year.
 
Damage
 
Coyotes, foxes, and feral dogs cause substantial damage to livestock and poultry producers, particularly those with sheep and goats.
 
In 1999, the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) surveyed producers and found that coyotes killed an estimated 165,800 sheep and lambs nationwide worth a total of $9.6 million.  Feral dogs and foxes accounted for an additional 49,400 lamb and sheep deaths worth $3.5 million.  In addition, coyotes, feral dogs, and foxes killed approximately 36,000 goats worth more than $1.8 million.
 
Coyotes and feral dogs also feed on cattle and calves.  The NASS survey found that coyotes killed an estimated 95,000 cattle and calves worth $31.8 million in 2000.  Feral dogs killed 26,000 cattle and calves worth $9.5 million.  
 
In addition, coyotes, foxes, and feral dogs kill thousands of chickens, turkeys, ducks, geese, and other birds every year.
   
Mode of Operation
 
The M–44 works by ejecting sodium cyanide powder into the mouth of the predator.  The ejection is triggered when the animal pulls on the baited M–44 unit.  The sodium cyanide powder reacts with the moisture in the animalØs mouth, releasing hydrogen cyanide gas.  Death occurs from 10 seconds to 2 minutes after the device is triggered.    
 
Environmentally Safe   
 
The M–44 is safe to use and poses an insignificant risk to the environment.  The amount of sodium cyanide mixture in each capsule is approximately 0.03 ounce (0.97 gram).  If, for some reason, the contents of the capsule spill onto the soil, the active ingredient dissipates into gas rapidly due to soil moisture.  If there is no moisture, the sodium cyanide filters through the soil, where it is readily degraded by micro-organisms or other mechanisms.  
 
Experiments conducted by WS' National Wildlife Research Center designed to study the effects of cyanide contamination of the soil from application of M–44 cyanide capsules indicate that the toxic effects of cyanide are extremely shortlived because cyanide decomposes within 24 hours into harmless byproducts.  Bioaccumulation is extremely unlikely because the material is metabolized immediately.     
 
The risk of secondary poisoning of predators feeding on the carcass of an animal killed with an M–44 is nonexistent.  The M–44's mode of action, chemical asphyxiation, limits the assimilation of the toxic compound into the body and tissue for availability to predators feeding on an animal killed by this device.  In other words, an animal feeding on a predator killed by an M–44 will not be harmed because there is virtually no poison in the dead animalØs tissues to pass along to the scavenging animal.
 
To protect the user against the unlikely event of exposure to the compound, amyl nitrite is available as an antidote.  All applicators are required to carry an antidote kit when applying M–44's.

Nontarget Hazards 
 
To prevent adverse or harmful effects on the environment, including nontarget animals, WS assesses the potential impact of its activities before using the M–44 or any other wildlife damage management tool.
 
In placing M–44's in the field, WS personnel use their expertise in animal behavior patterns to minimize the risk of attracting nontarget animals to the device.  Through the use of specialized lures and attractants designed for offending animals, the risk to nontarget animals is highly minimized.

Integrated Wildlife Management
 
WS uses an integrated wildlife damage management approach to reduce or prevent wildlife damage.  In selecting control techniques for specific wildlife damage situations, WS personnel consider the species responsible, the frequency, and the extent of the damage.  In addition to damage confirmation and assessment, consideration is also given to the status of the species, local environmental conditions, environmental impacts, and other factors.  Then these factors are evaluated and used in formulating management strategies that may include the application of one or more damage management techniques.

Additional Information
 
For more information about this and other WS programs or to find out how to request assistance from your WS State office, contact the WS Operational Support Staff at (301) 734-7921 or write to:
 
USDA, APHIS, WS
4700 River Road, Unit 87
Riverdale, MD  20737  
 
You can also find information on WS programs by visiting our Web site at http://www.aphis.usda.gov/ws. 

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