Wildlife whistleblower case

A former professional hunter for the U.S. government in Nevada claims in a whistleblower complaint he was fired in retaliation for reporting that two co-workers illegally shot two mountain lions from an airplane in 2006. Lawyers for Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility tell The Associated Press they will file the administrative complaint Wednesday on behalf of Gary Strader of Wells. Strader worked for the Agriculture Department's Wildlife Services until April. He says two aerial gunners shot the lions in Elko County. He says he told his supervisor but nothing happened as a result. Strader, a former Montana rancher, says he was told last summer his job was secure. But after he reported the incident to the FBI three months ago, he says he suddenly was told he was out of work. AP