California “eco hotel” is trapping and killing native wildlife

California’s Hotel del Coronado in San Diego County bills itself as being environmentally friendly. The non-profit organization In Defense of Animals says that isn’t so. Calling the hotel’s branding as “eco-friendly” greenwashing, the organization points out that the hotel traps and kills native wildlife. 

The hotel was first Green Seal certified in 2011 and Silver Level Green Seal certified in 2016 due to climate change, waste and natural resource stewardship standards. The hotel, however, is trapping and killing wildlife including beneficial skunks and opossums. Through In Defense of Animals, over 12,800 people wrote to the hotel to protest its treatment of wildlife. 

“It’s heartbreaking that Hotel del Coronado is choosing to trap and kill wild animals when there are so many alternatives readily available, and even more troubling that this legendary beachfront hotel has been greenwashing its operations,” said Lisa Levinson of In Defense of Animals. “We hope public pressure encourages Hotel del Coronado to implement nonlethal alternatives and hotel management to accept our expert help to become true environmental stewards who coexist peacefully with native wild animals.”

In addition to In Defense of Animals, California-based attorney Alan Kang also attempted to get the hotel to change its ways, sending them a letter which received no reply. 

“We strongly encourage the Hotel Del Coronado to take advantage of the numerous educational resources offered by In Defense of Animals, which ultimately lead to a win-win situation for the hotel, the environment, and our native wildlife,” said Kang.

Despite this action, the hotel seems to have made no effort to change its methods of wildlife control and In Defense of Animals is preparing to protest the hotel in person. 

“Hotel del Coronado doesn’t deserve the Silver Level Green Seal Certification it received in 2016, and won’t until it adopts non-lethal alternatives and chooses compassion over killing,” said Lisa Levinson, Campaigns Director at In Defense of Animals. “Join us and San Diego animal activists to protest the hotel’s cruel policy of trapping and killing wild animals and of greenwashing animal suffering.”

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By Zach Fitzner, Earth.com Staff Writer