I thought birders should be aware that Point Pelee will again be killing cormorants this spring (April) at Middle Island. This is a 5-year project. This spring they plan on shooting up to 4000 birds, so the total for five years is quite substantial.
I live in Chatham and I just read the following story that was published locally: http://www.chathamdailynews.ca/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=1521784 This is truly disturbing. Yes I know all the pros and cons of this project on both sides, and they have been debated endlessly. But keep in mind that it is common knowledge that the majority of credited scientists are against this cull at Middle Island by Parks Canada, yet the park just doesn’t get it. Something just isn’t right here. And on a broader front top scientists across North America are also against such culls, including scientists with the American Ornithologists Union. They have already published on this subject, stating that these culls are not based on sound reasoning. In other words, it’s a slaughter with no scientific justification. After visiting Point Pelee all these decades, I can’t remember anything so disturbing as this ongoing killing of cormorants. This spring while we enjoy the park and all the new arrivals, remember that just offshore (and unseen) Parks Canada staff will be slaughtering thousands of cormorants - a native species of the waters of Lake Erie. Decades from now I am sure we will look back at this slaughter with great shame. Robert Smith Chatham, ON _________________________________________________________________ Create a cool, new character for your Windows Live™ Messenger. http://go.microsoft.com/?linkid=9656621_______________________________________________ ONTBIRDS is presented by the Ontario Field Ornithologists - the provincial birding organization. Send bird reports to ONTBIRDS mailing list [email protected] For information about ONTBIRDS visit http://www.ofo.ca/
